Katie’s up for top business in Trades & Construction award

Forest Hill-based Katie Corkill, owner of Katie Corkill Decorating, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the new category of Best Businesswoman in Trades & Construction.

The Best Businesswomen Awards are designed to recognise the achievements of the UK’s best entrepreneurial women across a wide range of business categories.

Set up in 2015 by multi-award winning entrepreneur Debbie Gilbert, she said of this year’s finalists,

“Our judging panel, all business experts, were blown away by the quality of the entrants. All our finalists are all shining examples of being successful entrepreneurs who have proved their success to our judges.”

Katie Corkill launched her business in 2019 and operates across South London, with recent projects in Wimbledon, Greenwich, Fulham, Streatham and Sydenham.

Katie Corkill Decorating offers comfort and security through creating beautiful personal spaces for every individual and their home.

The care and expertise is clear from start to finish, leaving the client happy and excited about their choices and loving where they live.

Ms Corkill said, “The thing I love most about my business is the client’s happiness and excitement once we complete the job.

“To transform a room or house and know that I have added to someone’s enjoyment and comfort in their own home is just wonderful.”

She believes working in a male-dominated industry has actually had a positive impact on her business.

“I do believe being female has helped, even subconsciously clients tend to perhaps feel safer or more trustworthy from the off,” she said.

However, the businesswoman emphasised that the main reason for her clients’ satisfaction is the level of service that she insists upon.

“It’s the high-end level of service we offer, beyond just producing a lovely decorated house,” she said.

“We are extremely courteous, approachable, reliable, and we communicate well with clients, which I believe are all equally as important as doing a good paint job.”

On being recognised as a successful female business owner, she said: “It means a huge amount to be singled out in a competitive industry.

“As much as I am proud to be a finalist at these awards, I am equally as excited and happy for talented women to be recognised, specifically within trades which has been previously a male dominated industry.

Awards like this help to inspire and promote women of all ages to get into a trade.

“I actively encourage women to join me in the manual trade industry, because it is such rewarding work and also because being a female does not limit you in this line of work.”

The Gala Final will be held at the Hilton Wembley on September 30, where the Gold Winners of each category will be announced.

 

Pictured: Katie Corkill credit: Nick Corkill  @nicko_photo