Emma Brealey the Petwood's Managing Director has been named ‘Business Woman of the Year’ at the latest Enterprising Women awards.

The awards coincided with International Women’s Day and celebrated the entrepreneurial successes of women in business across the East Midlands region.

Emma Brealey has led the transformation of the Petwood Hotel from an underperforming provincial hotel to being ranked among the top 200 fastest growing companies in the East Midlands.

When Emma joined the hotel in April 2010 the business was struggling on a number of fronts and drastic changes were needed to ensure the hotel survived.

As a first step on the road to recovery, Emma engaged the management team in specialist hospitality finance training. Now all members of the management team are involved in the budget process and have full visibility of the company’s trading and performance.

Business costs are now aligned with industry standards and the historic gardens, once a run-down and neglected cost to the business, have been restored to their Edwardian splendour and are now a revenue-generating tourist attraction.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be awarded ‘Business Woman of the Year’. It’s a reflection of our fabulous Petwood team who have supported me on this journey to help grow our family business,” Emma said.

The East Midlands Chamber-supported Enterprising Women awards were presented at a gala dinner at Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Derby. The evening was hosted by Sameena Ali-Khan, experienced and award-winning TV and events presenter and ITV newsreader in the Midlands.