Founder of Nutrichef Ltd., Barbara Cox, has been voted the winner of the British Chambers of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

A Dorset businesswoman and founder of Nutrichef, Barbara Cox has been voted the winner of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

The Chamber Awards 2008 were held at London’s National History Museum on 28 November, and were developed to recognise outstanding business achievement within the UK business community.

In the Awards’ fifth year, eight different categories were judged, with businesses permitted to enter as many as they wished.

Each of the winners received a certificate at the gala dinner, and GD Environmental Services, the winner of the Award for Outstanding Business Achievement also took home the top cash prize of £50,000 courtesy of RBS Group.

Barbara Cox, founder of Nutrichef Ltd., is a member of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce, and won the Staples-sponsored award because of her innovative, healthy meal-delivery service business.

Her niche business provides freshly-prepared, wheat-free, dairy-free meals direct to customers’ homes – including people fighting serious illnesses such as cancer, individuals trying to lose weight and sportsmen and women.

Staples Head of Marketing Yetunde Ige commented: “Barbara is the epitome of a true entrepreneur. With a passion for promoting good health and well-being, her entrepreneurial spirit, resilience and determination to succeed has delivered ongoing and consistent growth in sales, despite operating in such a fiercely competitive market. She really deserved to win the award.”

Neville Reyner, President of the BCC said: “Barbara is a real inspiration to all. She spotted a brilliant business opportunity and instinctively knew how to really exploit it. She is an amazing entrepreneur who has really earned this national title. Congratulations.”

Of all the winners, Paul Lynam, Chief Executive, NatWest and RBS Business Banking, said: “I have been bowled over by the level of commitment, enthusiasm and success of the companies taking part. As Britain’s leading bank for small businesses, we recognise the challenges of trading in an economic downturn, which is why the businesses featured in this year’s awards fully deserve reward for the contributions to their industries, and communities.”