A WOMAN who has steered a company, founded by her father, from a turn over of £2 million a year to £21million, has won a nationwide award for her work.

Victoria Robertshaw of Keelham Farm Shop in Skipton - it also has a store in Bradford - is this year's Natwest Everywoman, an award which celebrates 15 years of female entrepreneurship.

She was one of 21 other women in the finals of the 15th annual awards, the UK's most prestigious initiative recognising the achievements of female entrepreneurs and held at The Dorchester in Mayfair, London.

She said: “Keelham’s success as a business is a massive team effort, not only from the 320 people within Keelham but also from the 400 local farmers and producers whose products we sell.

"It’s fantastic news that we’ve been recognised. I can’t thank enough all of the people who contribute to Keelham, including the one million customers a year who have come along with us on this journey to make the best-tasting fresh food available for everyone, every day.”

NatWest had been instrumental in supporting the growth of Keelham over the years and believing we could take a family farm shop and build it into a recognisable, fresh food brand across the county. she said.

Victoria came to run the business alongside her brother James, whose background was in farming, after a business management career in London, where she had spent 13 years in accountancy.

The finalists were chosen for demonstrating drive, ambition and tenacity. The selection panel was made up of 18 of the country’s most successful businesswomen.