News

Excellence in Digital Enterprise award in Realsafe hands

Emma Neal

20 Nov 2014

REALsafe® Technologies scooped a highly prized ‘Excellence in Digital Enterprise’ Award as part of the British Banking Association (BBA) ‘Excellence in Women’s Enterprise Mentoring Awards’ earlier this week.

Managing Director Zoe Farrington collected the award at a ceremony held at the prestigious BT Tower in London, which was attended by Jo Swinson, Minister for Women and Equalities.

Hosted by BBA’s Executive Director Irene Graham, the award celebrates businesses that have created inspiring digital products or solutions in a highly competitive sector.

REALRIDER® is the brainchild of co-founders Zoe Farrington and Andrew Richardson of Durham based REALsafe® Technologies. This industry-first safety app for motorcyclists detects if a rider has crashed and sends location and medical information directly to the NHS Ambulance Control Room.

Emer Timmons, President of BT Global Services UK, presented the BT sponsored award during Global Entrepreneurship Week and on the eve of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day.

The BBA’s Mentorsme Excellence in Women’s Enterprise Mentoring Awards are about celebrating enterprise in women owned or led businesses, and uniting the business enterprise community to support and reinforce the significance of enterprise mentoring to a diverse range of small and medium sized businesses.

Zoe, who won the BQ North East Emerging Entrepreneur award earlier in the year, commented: “This award came as a total shock. We didn’t even know we had been nominated. There was some really tough competition in the Digital Enterprise category but we were proud to be flying the flag for the North East and raising the profile of the fantastic work that is coming out of the region.”

The REALsafe® MD went on to say: “This award is also recognition for the support we’ve had from the many people we’ve come into contact with through the business. Most especially it’s recognition for our Chairman who has been an exceptional mentor for me personally.”

Chairman, Business Angel and serial entrepreneur Hossain Rezaei said: “I spotted an opportunity in REALRIDER® and real CEO potential in Zoe. My role as business mentor has been to provide the perfect balance between offering a guiding hand and giving Zoe the scope and freedom to refine her skills and leadership qualities. It’s great to see that potential has now been recognised on a national platform and at this early stage of the business. ”

Jonathan Gold, Director of Rivers Capital Partners, the managers of the Finance for Business North East Angel Fund, said: “As a founding investor in REALRIDER® it’s good to see Zoe doing so well. She fully deserves the award and we are looking forward to continually supporting the business.”