A prestigious business award has been won by the managing director of a pet supplement business from Dorchester.

Managing director of Poundbury-based firm Dorwest Herbs, Jo Boughton-White, was named the 'Business Leader of the Year' at the South West Awards for Business and Community.   

Judges at the awards highlighted her 'commitment to innovation, outstanding customer service and growth' which they described as 'inspiring' as well as her 'commendable' leadership.

Now in its fifth year, the awards run by The Great British Expos recognise businesses, charities, and individuals that have made an outstanding contribution in the region.

Celebrating 75 years in 2023, Dorwest is still family-owned, with Jo’s grandparents Murray and Dorothy Ellis pulling together the initial ideas for the business over seven decades ago

 Jo joined the business in the early 2000s, taking over as managing director in 2011.

Dorset Echo: Jo Boughton-White, managing director at Dorwest herbs in Poundbury Jo Boughton-White, managing director at Dorwest herbs in Poundbury (Image: Dorwest Herbs)

She was shortlisted for both ‘Business Leader of the Year’ and ‘Female Entrepreneur of the Year’ categories, with nearly 100 nominees in each.

She said: “I’m so incredibly proud to have won. I grew up watching my parents lead the way with their business entrepreneurship and am proud to have taken Dorwest to the next level alongside my husband and fellow director Ben.

"Dorwest is now a household name in pets’ wellbeing, being synonymous with quality and trust in every aspect of the business.

"I surround myself with the absolute best people in the Dorwest team and this award would not be possible without their support.”

Over the past few years, Jo has single-handedly researched and developed new products that are now bestsellers, including a cognitive support supplement to help dogs with dementia, and advanced joint care support for dogs – winning a silver award for ‘Best Content Marketing Campaign’ at the Ecommerce Awards 2023 and recently named 'Best Overall Joint Supplement for dogs' by the Evening Standard.

Dorwest has also recently won ‘Best B2C Performance for the Pet & Livestock’ category at the Direct Commerce Awards 2023, recognising the company’s growth over the past few years, with Jo key to the business’s success.

To find out more visit www.dorwest.com or for more info about the South West Awards winners, visit www.southwestbusinessawards.co.uk/latest-winners.