Entrepreneur “blown away” by national award nomination

Gail Waterman, who co-founded Watermans Corporate Enterprises with husband Matt in 2012, said she was “blown off her feet” to be a finalist in the Black British Business Awards 2023.

The awards recognise exceptional performance of Black professionals and entrepreneurs across sectors including arts and media, consumer and luxury, and financial services.

In the ceremony's tenth anniversary year, nominees also making the shortlist represent the likes of Netflix, Sky, ASOS and KPMG.

Gail is nominated in the 'Entrepreneur Senior Leader of the Year' category as co-founder and owner of Wath-based Watermans whose luxury hair-growth products are stocked by national chain Boots as well as 400 UK-based salons.

The company also serves 17 international markets and last year won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for export.

Watermans has donated 85,000 products to cancer patients and chemotherapy wards and, during Covid-19, donated more than 10,000 hand sanitisers to the police, Royal Mail, the NHS and the local community.

The business also supports grassroots and football teams across the country.

Former salon owner Gail said of the nomination: “For me, as a girl coming from Barnsley who has been working since she was 13 this is a significant honour.

“It is recognition of hard work, commitment and determination over the years.

“I don't even know who put me forward (for the awards) so it came out of the blue.

“To be a finalist has just blown me right off my feet – it is so nice to be recognised by other people.”

Black British Business Awards chair and executive founder Sophie Chandauka MBE said the ceremony was “a testament to the immense spirit and unwavering resilience of Black British entrepreneurs and professionals,” adding: “Our finalists navigated a difficult global economic environment to deliver extraordinary value, showcasing innovation as entrepreneurs and strategic brilliance in some of the most iconic commercial brands and systemically important corporations.”

The awards ceremony will be held at the InterContinental London, Park Lane in October.