A BUSINESSWOMAN from Worcester has been named 'Businesswoman of the Year'.

Laura Butcher, who runs Soul Sanctuary Yoga Studio in Foregate Street, was named winner at this year's Women's Business Conference and Awards, which celebrated the efforts of female entrepreneurs, executives and professionals.

She said: "I was so grateful just to be nominated for the award, I had no expectation of actually winning it

"It was pretty overwhelming to see the votes coming in, so I was absolutely ecstatic to receive the award."

Soul Sanctuary, located above Wayland's Yard cafe, runs a variety of classes for all ages and abilities to try to make yoga accessible to as many people as possible.

The awards were hosted by the Women's Business Club and featured a networking session, workshops and guest speakers at the Pittville Pump Room in Cheltenham.

WBC founder Angela De Souza said: "We were so proud to present Laura Butcher with this award.

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"The award ceremony has really highlighted some of business’s best entrepreneurs, and I’m honoured to have been part of such a rewarding day of networking, learning and development.

"It’s always so uplifting seeing women rewarded for a job well done.

"Overall, this year’s conference has been a huge success. Many fantastic connections have been made, ideas have been shared, and partnerships are now in the making."

The conference, which took place on December 4, gave hundreds of businesswomen from across the country the chance to network, learn and develop, and plans are already underway for next year's conference

The Women's Business Club, founded in 2013, is a business networking group which invites women from across the country to network and celebrate their businesses.

Categories in the awards include Best Business Woman in Business Services, Best Business Woman in Health and Wellness, Best Business Woman working with Children or Families, Best Business Woman in Financial Services, Best Business Woman in Marketing and PR Services and many more.

For more information on the Women’s Business Conference, please visit: www.womensbusiness.club/conference