The awards recognise women who are a driving force for innovation, change, and empowerment and span industries from interior design to holistic arts education, marketing, business coaching, and more.

Ray commented: “I am thrilled to have received this award, it means a lot that someone not only took the time to nominate me, but that this award was given based on my ability to demonstrate expertise in my field and a passion for what I do, and I am grateful to PCS for the support they have shown me.”

Adam Unsworth, managing director of PCS, added: “I’m so pleased to see Louise receiving the plaudits I know she fully deserves. Her hard work, determination, and best-in-class expertise, not to mention her ability to wear many hats, puts PCS in a very fortunate position. Louise would be an asset to any organisation, we’re lucky to have her onboard.”

Awards coordinator Jessie Wilson added: “I applaud our winners for their tenacity, sincerity, and passion for their respective businesses and fellow human beings. Regardless of the challenges faced as women, these individuals have worked hard and risen to the top – so that they may influence and aid the rest of the world. Congratulations.”

Macclesfield-based PCS specialises in the production of fully-recyclable cards that are used for gifting, loyalty and membership programmes, and by hotels.

The business, which was formed in 1993 and now employs 34 people and has a turnover of £5.8m, was acquired by Woodberry Packaging, a subsidiary of private investment firm Woodberry Capital, this summer.

PCS was a double winner in this year’s Printweek Awards, where it won the coveted SME of the Year category and was also lauded with an Innovation Award for developing a fully recycled, and recyclable, PVC card.