A business owner who specialises in building inclusive workplaces has won big at an awards ceremony that seeks to recognise the best women in business.

Mary Gregory, from the Rickmansworth area, won gold in the Best Coach category at the 10th annual Best Business Women Awards.

She was recognised for her Mary Gregory Leadership Coaching and Facilitation business, which seeks to create a niche for female leadership business leaders.

Mary Gregory with Debbie Gilbert.Mary Gregory with Debbie Gilbert.  (Image: Best Business Women Awards/Mary GregoryDescribing her win as a "career highlight", Mary said: "I am thrilled and honoured to receive this award in recognition of my passion for supporting leaders and businesses to create inclusive workplaces where everyone thrives.

"Being a coach and a woman in business takes commitment and resilience"

Open to any female business owner in the UK, the awards have recognised more than 1,000 women over 10 years, with a panel judges overseeing a "rigorous" process and making selections based on business expertise, innovation, and high levels of customer care.

Image: Best Business Women Awards/Mary GregoryDebbie Gilbert, organiser of the awards, said: "Our winners are shining examples of outstanding entrepreneurs who have proved their success to our judges and have shown they have the results worthy of being recognised and rewarded.

"Mary is a clear thought leader in the world of leadership development. She came across as a warm person, someone you'd want in your corner who gets great results."

Mary received her award alongside all the other winners at a gala evening held at the Hilton in London earlier this month.

Among those fellow winners was Abbots Langley travel agent and mum-of-two Lisa McCallum, who was recognised with a silver award in the Best Customer Service category.

She set up her Lisa McCallum Travel Consultancy business in 2016 after a "mad" conversation with her husband encouraged her to take the leap.

Last week, she told the Watford Observer that her success was "surreal", describing it as "validation for my efforts".

She added: "I remember thinking 'wow that sounds amazing, I'd love to be the sort of person who could enter that'. It was on my radar but as a national award, it always seemed like a pipe dream"