UPCOMING businesswoman Esther Dingley is today revealed as the winner of our If We Can You Can challenge.

Hundreds of readers voted for Durham-based Ms Dingley in this year’s challenge, run by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum in conjunction with The Northern Echo, to find the North-East business leaders of tomorrow.

Ms Dingley founded Post- Graduate Toolbox, a recruitment and training agency that gives postgraduates the ability to showcase their additional skills.

She narrowly beat fellow finalist Claire Mitchell, the co-owner of Aston Mitchell, an online men’s cosmetics retail business based in Bowes, County Durham.

Last night, Ms Dingley said: “I am really excited to have won. To win it is a really big encouragement to me and motivates me to continue with what I am doing.

“I have said in the past that the entrepreneurial pathway is a bit like a roller-coaster, but winning the competition is the sort of thing that keeps you going forward when there are obviously difficult periods.”

Ms Dingley’s prize includes a mentoring surgery, £5,000 worth of business services, and a business gadget.

She said: “I think it is going to be absolutely great for the business. It is still at a very early stage and I appreciate any sort of assistance.

“The publicity will also really help to raise awareness of what I am trying to do.

“I am really grateful for people taking the time to vote.”

Ms Dingley won following a judging session by some of the region’s leading entrepreneurs and four weeks of public voting, with more than 3,000 readers taking part.

Runner-up Ms Mitchell will become an ambassador for the If We Can You Can campaign, which is funded by One North East, and join Oxford graduate Ms Dingley in helping to inspire hopeful entrepreneurs of all ages.

Carole Beverly, chief executive of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum said: “I am delighted for Esther and offer my congratulations.

I would also like to say a big well done to Claire and look forward to supporting her as she continues to play an instrumental role in spearheading the campaign.

“The sheer number of votes that have flooded in over the past month really shows how the public has taken this campaign to their hearts, as well as the level of inspiration of the two finalists and their entrepreneurial journey.”

More than 100 entrepreneurs entered the challenge and shared their enterprising stories on the campaign’s website, which now has more than 550 members and 72 dedicated mentors.

Ms Beverly said: “Once again the challenge has been an overwhelming success. It is not just the number of entrants that has been pleasing but also their sheer passion and drive to succeed even in these difficult economic times – which our winner epitomises.”

Further details can be found at ifwecanyoucan.co.uk