NEWCASTLE: Thompson Building Centres boss Anne Ganley has remained on a high after winning a major award in the week she returned from a trek to Everest Base Camp.
Mrs Ganley, who returned from a 14-day trek to the Himalayas, was named as North East Entrepreneur of the Year at the Entrepreneurs' Forum gala dinner following its annual business conference in Newcastle.
The Entrepreneurs' Forum comprises some of the region's most dynamic and successful to entrepreneurs and business people and Anne has been an active member for a number of years – but was taken by complete surprise when she was announced as the winner.
"Not many people say I'm a woman of few words but I am totally taken by surprise, I really appreciate this, thank you," she said to the 300-strong audience at the event.
Mark Hatton, senior partner of accountancy company Ernst & Young, presented the award describing her as a woman "with a heart of gold and a nuclear reactor as an energy source she has exceptional levels of energy, passion, determination and drive. Her will to win is bewildering. She is a real survivor in an incredibly tough and tight market. She has really stood out in the last year," he added.
Mrs Ganley attended the dinner just days after she returned from the challenge of Everest, which she climbed to raise cash for a range of charities close to her heart including Grace House children's hospice and St Benedict's hospice in Sunderland, St Oswald's Hospice in Newcastle, the Salvation Army and the Brothers in Arms fund.
