CFE Building Brand Equity Programme announces winner

The Center for Fashion Enterprise announced its winners

for inaugural building brand equity programme during a invite only ceremony.

Ten finalists where given the opportunity to pitch their business plans to a panel of judges and investors, who then selected the two winners.

Katie Rowland, jewellery designer was awarded the CFE Venrex Investment Readiness award, for her business plan which showed potential for growth. Becky French of Marwood men's accessories brands was awarded the CFE Pembroke emerging designer award for best pitch.

Both winners were also given a cash prize of ten thousand pounds, which was sponsored by Venrex Investment Management and Pembroke VCT and offered additional mentoring from investment experts.

The programme was created in 2012 to help designers with entrepreneurial and commercial potential earn financial backing.

Wendy Malem, The Director of the CFE commented, “Centre for Fashion Enterprise has been stressing the opportunities for investment into fashion founder businesses for the past five years and the momentum is finally gathering...the rewards from picking up emerging brands, adding capital to talent and bringing expertise to steer growth is proving to be a great fascination.”