A SWANSEA brewery boss has been named Woman of the Year 2011 at the South Wales Evening Post and Swansea Bay Business Life Women in Business Awards.

Mum-of-three Connie Parry received her award at a ceremony in Swansea's Dragon Hotel yesterday.

The 42-year-old is the chief executive officer of Hurns Brewery which she and her brother Phil have run together in Swansea since 2002.

The duo bought the business out of liquidation and have since gone on to grow the brewery into an award-winning operation exporting to countries such as Dubai, Singapore and Denmark.

Miss Parry also won the Innovation in Business Award and said: "It is hugely thrilling to win awards like this.

"I feel to succeed as a woman in business you need to be better.

"You have to prove yourself on a daily basis and show you have the skills to do your job really well.

"The brewing industry is quite male dominated.

"It is unusual to find a woman in this industry but it is certainly not a drawback.

"I feel a woman's style of management is inclusive and you bring out the best in people around you."

The Hurns boss was among a selection of female high-flyers honoured in the second annual Women in Business Awards.

Gemma Paull, of Swansea leaflet distribution company SA Flyers, picked up the prize for New Business of the Year.

The honour of Rising Star of the Year went to Rachael Flanagan, director of Mrs Bucket Cleaning company which now employs 80 staff and is looking to reach of a turnover of more than £1 million in the next six months.

Debbie Robinson, head of safety, health, environment and quality management at waste management firm Derwen Group, picked up the Go Green Environmental Award.

The International Achievement Award went to Alex Shufflebottom, of Shufflebottom Ltd, which manufactures steel- frame buildings for the agricultural market from its headquarters at the Cross Hands Business Park.

Great

Woman of the Year 2010 Lucy Richardson was among the panel judging this year's awards which also included Confederation of British Industry (CBI) assistant director Ian Price.

South West Wales Media managing director Blanche Sainsbury said: "I believe these awards can generate the next business women coming through.

"It is reassuring to see the percentage of women at board level positions are increasing at a fast pace at the moment.

"The business world is changing at a great pace and there is no option but to change with it."