A Stratford-born businesswoman has been shortlisted for a national award for entrepreneurs in recognition of her work on helping to launch new businesses.

Mavis Amankwah, 39, who owns several businesses, is celebrating after being named as a finalist for a prize at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

Ms Amankwah, who lives in East Ham, will head to the Grand Connaught Rooms in central London on November 19 for the awards along with other shortlisted businesses and VIPs from the entrepreneur world.

The award recognizes individuals or organisations that encourage, nurture and provide solutions to entrepreneurs and their businesses.

Ms Amankwah said: “I am genuinely thrilled and honoured to be shortlisted for an award at such a prestigious national event that celebrates the hard work of entrepreneurs from various sectors and walks of like.

“Moments like these make all the blood, sweat and tears truly worth it.”

Ms Amankwah is the owner of Rich Visions Diversity Communications, a multi-million pound agency that has created bespoke campaigns for over 50 established brands including ASDA, Comic Relief and MoneyGram.

In March Ms Amankwah was appointed as business ambassador for Start-Up Loans UK, a scheme endorsed by Prime Minister David Cameron which provides loan support and mentoring to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Her team recently announced that they had successfully helped more than 300 entrepreneurs to start up their businesses, loaning just over £2 million with the Start-Up Loans programme.

Simon Burton, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said entries this year were “awe inspiring” and that the judges would have an extremely difficult time whittling down the finalists.

For more information visit www.greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com.