Ridgeview CEO named ‘business woman of the year’

Tamara Roberts, CEO of English winery Ridgeview, has been named ‘Sussex Businesswoman of the Year’.

Roberts was recognised for her work at the winery, which she took over in 2014, at the Business Women Excellence Awards ceremony in Brighton last Friday.

The awards are designed to “celebrate and recognise” successful businesswomen in the southern English county.

Having taken over in 2014, Roberts has overseen Ridgeview’s growth to 300,000 bottles and has plans to double production further over the next five years.

Furthermore, she is actively involved with local businesses and is on the board of English Wine Producers.

A regular speaker at various events, the Ridgeview is the official sparkling wine of No. 10 Downing Street and is often among those served at Buckingham Palace.

Roberts said of her award: “To be named Sussex Business Woman of the Year was such a lovely surprise, totally unexpected. I was extremely flattered to be nominated by my peers, many of whom are worthy of recognition in their own fields of excellence. To then go on and win the overall Sussex Business and Business Woman of the year was fantastic, recognising the determination and passion we have put into the growth of Ridgeview.

“Some big thanks go to my wonderful team for their support and to my parents who had the courage to begin this inspiring business at a time when English sparkling wine was relatively unheard of.”