1st December 2005                                                                                        Press information

ELAINE FAIRFAX OF DORSET WINS THE 2005 NATWEST everywoman AWARD

Elaine Fairfax, the founder of Animal Friends Insurance, has been named the winner of the prestigious NatWest everywoman Businesswoman of the Year Award at a ceremony attended by many business leaders.

51 year-old Elaine from Gillingham, Dorset beat hundreds of women entrepreneurs to be honoured and recognised as the winner of the 2005 NatWest everywoman Award. The judging panel believed that Elaine had made the most outstanding achievement in business with a unique business proposition. The Awards Ceremony included five awards with four categories defined by age plus the NatWest everywoman Award.

Animal Friends Insurance is the UK's only pet insurance business dedicated to switching its profits to worthy animal welfare projects around the world. Badly let down by two partners and with no experience of the insurance industry, Elaine set out on a from-scratch learning curve to get to grips with the entire process of policy administration in-house. Whilst many level-headed advisers would have advised against it, Elaine has forged her own path to show how a business can be run successfully without putting short-term profit ahead of a long-term cost to society.

Elaine said: “I am overwhelmed at being chosen as the overall winner from so many strong entries. It’s such a fantastic award to receive in recognition of the struggle I have had to get this far with my business and it’s also a big boost for women in business – I was staggered to learn that just 3% of the country’s active company directors are women; I hope my story will now encourage other women to go for it!”

Commenting on Elaine's achievements, everywoman co-founders, Maxine Benson and Karen Gill said, "Elaine is such an inspiration and a perfect example of how women become phenomenally successful players in the business world. There is no doubt about Elaine's achievements as her company continues to go from strength to strength. We are delighted that alongside award sponsor NatWest, we have been able to present Elaine with this reward in recognition of her outstanding achievement in business."

Claire Martin, Head of External Affairs, NatWest added; "Elaine has managed to combine her passion for animals with her business life, an example which will be a huge inspiration to many other women considering business ownership. She has become a major player in a market dominated by 'big names' and made an impact with a unique proposition. We are delighted that she has been awarded this year's NatWest everywoman Award and wish her continued business success."

The NatWest everywoman Awards were presented during an Awards Ceremony held on 30 November 2005 at The Savoy Hotel, London. The high profile event included Awards patron, serial international entrepreneur Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, and Baroness Valerie Amos, Leader of the House of Lords who said "Businesswomen make an invaluable contribution to the economic wellbeing of this country. The everywoman award finalists are all outstanding women who I hope will inspire others to follow in their path." The ceremony was attended by pioneering women from a wide range of industries, senior women in business, women entrepreneurs and representatives from government and the press.

ENDS

For more on Elaine’s story or for information about Animal Friends Insurance (www.aninmalfriends.org.uk), contact Chris Fairfax on 01747 812255 (07780 056210 out of hours) or email info@animalfriends.co.uk

EDITOR’S NOTES

Animal Friends is the UK’s only not-for-profit pet insurer. It dedicates 100% of its net profits to helping animal charities and it is currently supporting many good causes both within the UK and across the world. See www.animalfriends.org.uk/support_charities.html for details.

Animal Friends offers 7 different levels of pet insurance for dogs and cats of any age across the UK from its modern, friendly office in Dorset and directly via its cheery and informative web site at www.animalfriends.org.uk. Since it started in 1999, Animal Friends has become perhaps the largest independent provider of pet insurance in the UK and it is growing at some 140% a year making the prospect of helping many more charities a very real one. Animal Friends is fully regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Animal Friends Insurance Services Ltd.  Registered in England 3630812.  Chester House, Unit 12 Brickfields Business Park, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4PX.