An inspirational academic at Wales’ largest university, who has helped hundreds of women in Wales to start their own businesses and progress in their careers, has been honoured by The Queen for promoting enterprise.

Christine Atkinson, deputy director of the Centre for Enterprise and head of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub at the University of South Wales, based in Newport, will receive the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion 2014 at Buckingham Palace in July.

The award celebrates and recognises individuals who have played an outstanding and significant role in promoting enterprise skills and attitudes in others across the UK.

Christine, who joined the University of South Wales in 1999, has dedicated her entire career to promoting enterprise and career progression for women, including the creation of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub in 2008 which has been involved in projects in Wales, the UK and across Europe.

Christine is currently heading-up the WAVE – Women Adding Value to the Economy – project which is leading the way in tackling the underlying causes of, and leading a national conversation on, gender pay gaps in employment and self employment in Wales.

Christine also established the Vale Women’s Business Network 11 years ago and has supported more than 300 local women to set up in business.

She has delivered training courses in many local authorities to enhance the career progression of women in the organisation as well as specialist courses for women, including lone parents, returning to work and setting up their own businesses.

Christine said: “I was truly shocked when I received notification of my nomination for the Queen’s Award and am honoured to be recognised for my work. I am passionate about helping women push through gender and stereotypical barriers in their work and feel that entrepreneurship in particular can often be an excellent career path for women.

“The work we are currently undertaking through the WAVE project involves generating one of the most important public debates to happen in Wales. We are looking forward to opening up a wider conversation on women in the economy, exploring ways in which we can change the workforce patterns which limit women’s contribution and creating greater awareness of the value of the work undertaken by women who run their own businesses

Christine was nominated for the award by Janet Scicluna, a Cardiff-based business mentor who has worked in the same field for more than 20 years.

Janet, a previous Queens Award for Enterprise Promotion recipient herself, said: “It’s fantastic to have another South Wales recipient of the Queen’s Award and Christine really does deserve to be recognised for her tireless work in promoting women’s entrepreneurship. As someone who understands the challenges of running a business, Christine is thoughtful and kind in her approach to offering practical advice and guidance to others.”