THREE innovative business women have been shortlisted for the Worcestershire Woman of the Year Award.

The business category of the award formally recognises a woman who has set up her own company or is able to demonstrate a major contribution to the firm she works for. Judges also look for entrepreneurial skills and a commitment to training and development.

The three nominees are Caron Steele, of Deer Park Hall, Eckington, near Pershore, Julia Goss, of HSBC Bank, Worcester, and Esther Ruggiero, of the Droitwich firm Train 4 Security.

The award is one of three to be presented at a ceremony on Wednesday, June 29 at Madresfield Court in Malvern.

Caron Steele set up and runs the Deer Park Business Centre at Deer Park Hall in Pershore.

Her firm leases out offices in what the Sunday Times described as one of the UK's top 10 most beautiful spots.

Caron converted 10,000 square foot of Grade II listed Cotswold stone buildings into modern open plan office facilities. The offices retain many historic features and are set in 1400 acres of unspoilt countryside. And thanks to a campaign she headed, the site has access to broadband.

The company's conference centre caters for weddings, business meetings and parties and is looking to expand into entertainment. This year Caron hopes it will have a turnover of around £200,000.

"I am delighted to be nominated," she said. "I have put a lot of hard work in to the business and I have more planned."

Julia Goss has worked for HSBC continually for the last 27 years and was nominated for her professionalism and knowledge of the job.

She joined Worcester as retail branch manager in 2003 but has worked in South Wales, Hereford, Sheffield and London in that time too.

"I think I show that it is possible to have a career and enjoy a life outside work," said the 47-year-old.

"I have one child who I look after, I run a Guides club, and I go to Rotary. HSBC has seen the way I handle everything and has often asked me to train people for management."

Droitwich businesswoman Esther Ruggiero has more than enough on her plate - not only does she help to run the company Train 4 Security with her husband, but she is also a full-time student at the University College Worcester and a mum-of-three.

Esther employs 23 people, and the company has a projected turnover of £500,000 for 2005.

The firm delivers courses and workshops aimed at raising the standards of performance within the private security industry.

"I am absolutely delighted" said Esther. "Celebrating the achievements of women in the workplace is something I feel very strongly about.

"Even with the many demands on me - I feel I have proved it can be done and it can be done successfully."

The other two categories are voluntary work and achievement.