Sarah Steel, who opens her ninth Old Station Nursery next month at Newark College, started her business five years ago when she left the army after the birth of her second child. She has eight settings in Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Rutland and Lincolnshire, offering nursery care to children aged three months to four years, and before- and after-school clubs for children aged four to 11 years. Six of the nurseries are based on RAF and army bases.
Ms Steel said, 'I'm thrilled. I was really surprised when I won.' She added that she plans to continue to expand the business.
The Prowess Awards celebrate the contribution of women business owners to British business. The judges were impressed by Ms Steel's 'vision, determination and motivation' as well as her continued contribution to enterprise development and training.
Ms Steel fought off competition from more than 125 UK 'business mums' who entered the category. Other women recognised in the 'Inspirational Business Mum' category included Katie Mayne, founder of Tiny Talk baby signing classes, who was highly commended.
A recent Yellow Pages study found that mothers who set up enterprises from home have become a powerful force within British business.