A MUM-of-two is celebrating being crowned a ‘rising star’ at the national WeAreTheCity Awards for her products she invented for weaning babies.

Helen Davies, from Cowley Hill Lane, was recognised in the ‘Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups’ category at a presentation held at NewsUK, London last month.

The aim of the awards was to celebrate 100 female role models and individual contributors across 20 different industries who represent the inspirational future leaders of tomorrow.

Helen, 40, who invented the EasyMat MiniTM – the world’s first compact and foldable suction plate, which has been hailed for revolutionising travel feeding for babies, said: “I was gobsmacked when I found out I’d won!

“There were so many inspiring women in the running that I feel incredibly humbled to have been chosen by the judges. Following this award win, I now have special responsibilities to promote female entrepreneurship and support innovation for the next 12 months - something I am proud and pleased to do having founded my company, EasyTots, in 2016.

“I count my lucky stars every day.”

Helen’s loyal customer base, friends and family were among the 35,000 people to publicly cast their votes for the 200 shortlisted nominees, which were selected by a panel of 54 independent judges.

Awards host June Sarpong MBE, who is a TV presenter and author, said: “2018 has been dubbed the ‘Year of the Women’ and has very much thrown gender and diversity into the public consciousness – the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, gender pay gap reporting, and marking 100 years of women’s suffrage.

‘Awards such as these are incredibly important – and needed – to continue to raise women’s platforms and showcase how talented the female population is.”

Helen’s award success is the latest milestone in her journey, which has seen her appear on Channel 4’s ‘Buy It Now’ and present at the 2018 International Business Festival in recent months.

Helen, who has seen her company go global with sales and distribution agreements secured across Europe, Hong Kong, South Korea and Australia, added: “I feel so excited for what’s still to come. I’m launching a new pet and outdoors business, as well as unveiling the world’s first made-to-measure suction plate for the IKEA Antilop Highchair later this month.

“I’m just really grateful for all the support I get from my gorgeous kids Elora and Kiera; my amazing partner Lloyd; all our family and friends; and The St Helens Chamber of Commerce.”

n For more on Helen's products including the EasyMat Mini, visit easytots.com