2006 First Woman of Finance
Karen Darby, SimplySwitch
As a 22-year-old, Karen Darby set up her first company, Decisions Group, which was one of the UKs first call-centre businesses. She sold this seven years later and dedicated herself to single-handedly raising her two children. Then she came upon the idea of SimplySwitch, which advises customers on their best-price energy deals. Backed by Bridges Community Ventures, the company today is the largest telephone-based price comparison service in the UK- and Karen is one of the most remarkable entrepreneurs around.
2006 Shortlist
Kate Armstrong, Admiral Group
Karen Darby, SimplySwitch
Lisa McPherson, Fresh! Insurance
Emma Sinclair, Mission Capital
Debbie White, Sodexho
