Southport estate agent Karen Potter has been honoured as a champion of female enterprise in the UK.
She was among successful businesswomen from across the country who were celebrated at a special reception in Parliament to mark Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Earlier this year, Southport MP Damien Moore chose Karen Potter, founder of Karen Potter Estate Agents, as his MP HERo.
MP HERoes is a cross-party national initiative which encourages, celebrates, and supports female enterprise in every area of the UK.
MPs can nominate a dynamic female-owned business in their constituency which they believe highlights female entrepreneurship across sectors and industries.
Karen Potter, a fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents, has been in the industry for 40 years.
After leaving college, Karen became an office junior in an estate agents in her hometown of Southport. She went on to work in other established agencies in Liverpool and Waterloo before returning to the town.
At the age of 21, Karen became the first female Property Valuer in Southport. She also became the first and only female Equity Partner in what was then one of the most successful groups in the North West.
Karen has won a Chamber of Commerce Award for her work with Business In The Community; has organised successful charity events, and was the first Lady Chairman of the Southport and District Surveyors and Estate Agents Association.
Karen set up her own estate agents in 2010, and under her guidance the business has steadily expanded year-on-year and now a number of people.
Following her nomination by Mr Moore, Karen attended a presentation ceremony at the House of Commons in November during Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Damien Moore, Member of Parliament for Southport, said:
“I was delighted to nominate Karen as my MP HERo. She is a well-known figure in the local business community and has steadily grown her business from scratch over the past 12 years. “She has created numerous jobs and supported many worthy causes over the years – she has become an indispensable part of our Southport community.”
Karen Potter, Estate Agent, said:
“It was an absolute privilege to travel down to Parliament to meet with Damien, other MP HERoes, and successful, inspiring female entrepreneurs from across the entire United Kingdom.
“I am so grateful to have been chosen to represent my hometown of Southport, and I wish everyone the very best with all their endeavours.”
Helene Martin Gee, Savvitas founder & MP HERoes creator, said:
“Thanks to our partnership with NatWest, MP HERoes is shining a spotlight on brilliant women business owners throughout the country. I’m delighted to meet so many successful female founders from every sector and from every part of the UK, championed by MPs of all parties.”
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