Anne is building on success.

Anne Ganley's commitment and dedication to her family business, Thompson Building Centres, won her the Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship at this year's North-East Women Entrepreneur of the Year awards.

Thompson's is one of the region's leading independent building supplies businesses, and Anne has been at the helm for the past 25 years. Founded in 1955 by her father, she has since grown the business into a concern which has a turnover in excess of pounds 20m across its three divisions, employing nearly 200 people.

The flagship site in Hendon, Sunderland, has quadrupled in size in recent years and incorporates the largest branch of Thompson Building Centres, as well as waste management and the TAPS plumbing business.

Anne has very strong links with the community working 200 yards from where she grew up and went to school. On leaving school at 15, she went straight into the family coal, scrap and waste business. This now forms one division of the main business and has continued to maintain a strong focus through constantly improving environmental performance and increasing awareness through local schools.

Anne has progressed from taking skips out at the age of 15, with no university education, to working regionally and nationally with the top manufacturers and merchants in the country.

The mother of three had her first child at 19 and has succeeded in juggling work around family life.

She says: "I don't think being a woman has held me back in the builders' merchants industry, although you can count on one hand how many women merchants there are in the UK. The building services industry is no longer as male dominated as it used to be.

"We ourselves have more than 25 women who are very knowledgeable in all areas and I believe the door is ajar throughout the industry for anybody who has the drive to give it a push. Over the past two years, I have focused heavily on expanding the business. Being a member of Cemco Buying Society and BMF has meant many days on the road and living in numerous hotel rooms.

"I am always oozing with new ideas for the business, and like to get involved in all aspects of the business in a hands-on fashion. I am approachable and I like to make myself available for the unexpected challenge. I am constantly learning and thrive under pressure, but I do get an enormous amount of job satisfaction in the unpredictable and fun job I do.

"I believe that our success lies in our traditional values, combined with a thirst for expansion and success. We strive to compete with the very best in the industry and keep up with national rivals, yet remain very much a family company that values it customers, employees and suppliers."