Entrepreneur wins national award

Nikki Sharpe, executive director of Youth Can Achieve, won the Leadership in the Community category of the Network of Aspiring Women Awards, which took place at Villa Park, the Birmingham home of Aston Villa Football Club.

Ms Sharpe, a solicitor and social entrepreneur, created the Youth Can Achieve brand in 2008 to encourage vulnerable young people to make the right career choices.

She said: “I’m thrilled and delighted to have won. 2011 is a thrilling year for Youth Can Achieve.

“Our Children In Need Project is successfully giving young people who have experienced serious disadvantages qualifications and hands-on experience of producing a documentary.

“We’re running our third annual conference on Thursday, October 20 and our campaign for a national children’s day is gaining more momentum every day.

“We’re motivated by making a difference to the lives of young people from deprived communities and showing them what they can achieve in life.”