Sumner is the founder and director of Wonderluxe Travel, and was named in a cohort of the UK’s brightest female founders. Other prestigious winners include hair and beauty entrepreneur Erim Kaur who founded ByErim, and Clair Heaviside, who co-founded creative digital agency Serotonin.
On 21 November Sumner attended a reception at the House of Commons hosted by Natwest, The Telegraph and MP Caroline Nokes. She was also invited to the Women Mean Business conference in November, where speakers included NatWest chief executive Alison Rose.
Sumner says the networking opportunities have already proved invaluable, including meeting and chatting to Nokes. “This was by far one of the most amazing experiences,” Summer explained. “I met with at least 20 of the other 99 women that day and have reached out to many more, and hearing their stories of how they started their businesses was inspirational.
“I will be keeping in touch with them and have already been discussing potential collaborations with some of the winners. I’ve had access to the other winners and some very influential people I previously would not have had access to.”
The recognition includes a host of marketing material and promotion, and Sumner has been included in an eight-page feature in The Telegraph and on a microsite detailing the winners.
She said: “There will be many opportunities for further assistance in growing the business due to the inclusion. I’ve been offered business coaching and help with growth and scaling strategy by KPMG’s travel division and the Natwest Enterprise business team. There are also several other events to which I’ve been personally invited.”
Applications to be considered for the list were received from across the UK, and Natwest’s Rose said the standard was high, with consistent themes across the businesses that entered: a strong commitment to innovation, a social purpose and scaling up.
She said: “The ambition and resilience of the business owners came across strongly in the applications. Their successes are remarkable and how they explained they would benefit from being part of The 100 made an impression. I’m confident we have some of the most exciting high potential female-owned businesses included in The 100.”
