Emma Pinch looks at the achievements of this year’s finalists and invites the public to vote for the overall winner. **Voting extended until the end of June 11 2009**

Anna Heyes

BELTS are being pulled in at businesses all round the world, but Anna Heyes marketing and public relations company, Active Profile, continues to thrive – turnover last year increased by 75 per cent to more than £250,000.

Anna started her company, aged just 22, in 2004 following her graduation from Liverpool University and a year’s placement with Reuters.

She was last year named Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the North West Women in Business Award. She is a member of the University of Liverpool Management School Advisory Board, Chair of the Gateway Centre Charity and an Ambassador for the Better Births Campaign.

The Igbo Women

THE vibrant Igbo culture continues to thrive in Liverpool thanks to the efforts of the Igbo Women’s Association of Liverpool.

The home of the Igbo people was originally Southeast Nigeria and they formed the breakaway state of Biafra in the late 1960s, later reabsorbed into Nigeria. Now, due to the Atlantic slave trade and migration, there are large populations in Cameroon, equatorial New Guinea and Europe, and many Afro-Caribbeans are also of Igbo descent.

The IWAL was set up 40 years ago. Dance, preparing and demonstrating traditional dishes and supporting elderly in their community are key activities, as well as teaching black children about their heritage.

Sally Walsh

SALLY Walsh's innovative company is thriving so well it's having to move out of its current Knowsley base and into larger premises.

Sally set up her company producing security vests when she was in her 50s and now exports internationally.

She researches, designs and cuts parts for her products and manufactures in the UK and offshore, having successfully negotiated complex inport and export regulations.

A proud grandmother, she also spends as much time as she can with her family.

Paula Cain

THE recession has meant business guru Paula Cain is in more demand than ever.  Paula has spent 17 years dispensing advice and support to local enterprise with Knowsley Chamber of Commerce.

She created the Knowsley Women’s Business Network, bringing like-minded women together for mutual support, and in these harsh times many turn to her personally for advice.

A number of her initiatives have been so successful they are being replicated by other Chambers.