Gabrielle McNamara, general manager at family-owned Leonard Dews jewellers in Blackpool, has just scooped the Leadership Award at the inaugural Sub36 Awards, at a glittering ceremony at The Winter Gardens earlier this month (19 October).

Sub36 Awards were organised by Lancashire Business View to celebrate and encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs and business stars in the north west. The awards are open to anyone under the age of 36, from across the region.

Delighted to win, McNamara said:

“What an amazing experience, I was thrilled to be shortlisted, but to win is incredible. I have been working at Leonard Dews since July 2013, it’s a fantastic business. I’m passionate about letting people know about the amazing things going on here at the moment, and what we have planned for the future.

“Michael Hyman, our managing director, has always been incredibly supportive, but so has the entire team. I started out working in sales, but have managed to work my way up, grow and learn on the job.”

Sub36 was officially launched at BAE Systems’ new Academy for Skills and Knowledge, as a rebrand of Lancashire Business View’s ‘Young Uns’.

This year has seen Lancashire Business View deliver a calendar of event as part of Sub36, working to support younger people in the business world.

Leonard Dews is family-owned jewellers based in Blackpool since 1877, specialising is heirloom pieces including Patek Philippe watches. The jewellers is about to open its refurbished showroom, and has launched its own ‘Hidden Diamonds’ range of unique engagement rings. Visit the website to find out more.