Royal award win for Epworth businesswoman

For she did not even know she had been nominated until a few hours before receiving it.

Carol Shipley was nominated for the student of the year award at the annual Luca Awards - described as the ‘Oscars of the bookkeeping world’ - just months after setting up C L Shipley Bookkeeping Services in Epworth.

But when she arrived at the plush BAFTA 195 Piccadilly venue in London, the event organisers told her she was also nominated in the new practice of the year category.

While she missed out on the student of the year accolade, Carol won the new practice of the year award.

She picked up the prize from HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

The 51-year-old Epworth mum said: “When I got there they just said there had been a few new practices which have done really well, and mine was one of them, so they decided to create a new category to recognise this.

“I beat two other firms to the award. It was really great.

“I never expected to be nominated as my firm has only been up and going since January.

“So to be nominated in two categories and win in one is amazing.”

Carol completed a course in bookkeeping at the end of last year with training provider Training Link.

This was the sixth annual ceremony, hosted by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers.

The winners each took home bronze statuettes of Luca Pacioli, a Cistercian monk who is credited with inventing the process of double entry bookkeeping that endures today.

The ceremony was held in the same venue that hosts the star-studded BAFTA Awards each year.