Sponge UK wins Venus Award

A Plymouth entrepreneur, who created one of the UK’s most successful elearning companies, has won an award recognising the achievements of women in business.

Louise Pasterfield, Managing Director of Sponge UK is the winner of the Digital Media and Online Business category at the NatWest Venus Awards in Devon, which have been dubbed the ‘working women’s Oscars.’

Pasterfield (pictured) built up her company at Plymouth Science Park from a tiny enterprise into a market leader in the highly competitive world of bespoke online training.

Sponge UK works with large organisations such as GlaxoSmithKline, Tesco, Toyota, Royal Mail, the NHS and the United Nations to create custom-made workplace elearning that helps improve the skills and performance of hundreds of thousands employees worldwide.

Pasterfield said: “There are only a handful of elearning companies led by women and it can sometimes feel like a male-dominated industry, at least at board level.

“It’s a highly rewarding career where you’re constantly learning, and I would love to see more women seeking opportunities in elearning and aspiring to leadership in the sector.   

“I’m delighted to be recognised at this year’s Venus Awards and take part in this celebration of local women and their achievements in business.”

Sponge UK was recently named Outstanding Learning Organisation of the Year at the Elearning Awards, one of the top honours in the industry. 

Alexis Bowater, Regional Partner for the NatWest Venus Awards in Devon, said: “The Venus Awards were set up to celebrate women in business and we are delighted that Louise is our winner this year of the Digital and Online Media Category. Hers is a truly inspirational example of how determination and application can turn a great idea into an astonishingly successful international business. Louise is a fantastic winner to now go forward as a finalist in the national awards and we wish her every success with that.”

The Devon Venus Awards took place on Friday, November 27 at a gala evening at Exeter Great Hall. The Digital Media and Online Business prize was presented by award sponsor, Christian Jenkins of Plymouth Science Park.