Farzana Rahman, founder and director of The Desi Doll Company, has been announced as a finalist in the Hera category of the 2021 NatWest everywoman Awards, which is presented to the most inspirational woman running a business trading for 10 years or more.
The former investment banker formed her company in 2008 and now designs, manufactures and exports more than 40 lines of educational toys including English Arabic, French, and Turkish-speaking plush dolls; award-winning Alphabet sound puzzles covering English Phonics, Arabic and Gujarati; Moon and Star mobiles; Quran sound and light pillows; talking books and more.
In 2020 The Desi Doll Company was honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
Maxine Benson MBE, co-founder of everywoman, commented: “For nearly two decades these awards have provided a platform to share the stories of hundreds of entrepreneurs; encouraging, emboldening, and empowering other women to follow suit. Against a backdrop of Covid, these women have shown how innovation and enterprise have helped their businesses to thrive under extraordinary trading conditions. We hope their experiences will go onto inspire others and provide the motivation and inspiration that will be the backbone of the UK’s economic recovery.â€
Jen Tippin, chief people & transformation officer at NatWest Group, said: “This year we celebrate the 19th year of the NatWest everywoman Awards which continue to celebrate and showcase the wealth of female talent from across the UK. Shining a light on phenomenal female entrepreneurial talent and inspirational role models has never been more important during these uncertain times. I want to congratulate all the shortlisted finalists and look forward to the Awards on 7 December.†For further information or to book a table at the virtual awards ceremony, visit www.everywoman.com/ewawards
