Alice in Wonderland with awards nominations

Alice Weightman is from Seaham – where mum and dad Carole and Simon operate Sharpley Fly Fishery and Sharpley Golf – and now runs two London recruitment businesses.

Now her second, an on-line service called The Work Crowd, has been shortlisted in the Enterprising Business category in the Federation of Small Businesses’ London Business Awards, while Alice herself is in contention for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

The online talent marketplace connects quality freelancers with clients/projects and has a community of more 1,100 built up in just a year.

Single mum-of-two Alice founded her first business, Hanson Search – now an award-winning executive search and headhunting firm – in 2002.

She was inspired to begin The Work Crowd after noticing a growing demand for more flexible talent and job opportunities in marketing and communications.

“It’s been an exciting 12 months and I’m hugely proud of what the business has achieved in that time, making life easier for both freelancers and clients, while developing a thriving community,” she said.

“I believe passionately that greater flexibility enables people to continue to work no matter their personal circumstances, and The Work Crowd is helping deliver that flexibility for many more people.

“We’re delighted that the FSB London Business Awards has recognised our hard work so far and we can’t wait to find out the result later this month.”

Steve Warwick, Federation of Small Businesses Regional Chairman, said: “We are delighted with the calibre of entrants this year, allowing businesses such as The Work Crowd to shine.”

Winners of the FSB London Business Awards will be announced at a Gala Dinner on July 28.