FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pool-Mate CEO finalist in major business awards
11th November 2010, Wraysbury, UK
Lisa Irlam, Chief Executive Officer of Swimovate Ltd developers of the Pool-Mate swimming computer, has
been recognised as one of the UKs leading female entrepreneurs. Lisa is one of three finalists in the 2010
NatWest Everywoman Awards (for the most inspiring entrepreneur between the ages of 36 and 49).
As an amateur triathlete, Lisa wanted to create a product to help monitor her fitness progress when
swimming. She realized there was a gap in the market for collecting data on swimming and spotted the
business potential (swimming is the world's most popular sport). There were lots of training aids for runners
and cyclists but nothing sophisticated enough for swimming. In 2007 Lisa was made redundant but made light
of the situation. Inspired by her background in technology and with the support of her husband and a very
small budget, Lisa began her company Swimovate from scratch, creating Pool-Mate swimming computer
launched in September 2009 and has sold tens of thousands of watches internationally since.
The Pool-Mate has captured global attention and made a difference to swimmers of all levels by counting their
laps and strokes for them. In the initial business plan Lisa intended to sell 1,000 units in year one but managed
this in the first month. Encouraged by this success Swimovate has launched the Pool-Mate Pro this month so
swimmers can download their swim data and analyse on a PC. To add to this, they have been endorsed by
double Olympic medalist and world record holder Nick Gillingham MBE and Paralympic Gold medallist Claire
Cunningham, who both saw the fantastic vision and actually approached the company themselves.
Overcoming huge obstacles with international manufacturers and self teaching many skills to grow the
business from web design to PR. Lisa contributes her huge success to a positive mind and bravery to take risks
when the odds are stacked against her. She is now looking to move the business forwards as she feels she
hasn’t haven’t even scratched the surface of the potential market. All this while continuing her commitment to
her passion for sport which includes seven marathons, three of which have been in Ironman triathlons (a 2.4
mile swim then 112 mile bike followed by a 26.2 mile run!).
‘I’ve built an international company from scratch with astronomical growth, exports and profit in a short time
period. I thought it would be so difficult amongst so many large brands but people really want and love the
Pool-Mate.’
Karen Gill MBE, co-founder of everywoman, comments, “The NatWest everywoman Awards are growing from
strength to strength each year. The standard and number of entries gets higher every year, resulting in an
increasingly difficult judging process! This is a testament to the extraordinary contribution of female
entrepreneurs to UK plc.”
Carolyn Currie, Head of Women in Business services at NatWest, “Congratulations to all the finalists of the
NatWest everywoman Awards. We continue to partner on the awards as we know from our customers the
importance of highlighting female entrepreneur’s success stories to inspire more women to move on with
their businesses and to encourage others to start-up in business. The support services we and everywoman
both offer business women makes this a perfect partnership”
The winners are announced over a lunch ceremony on 1 December held at The Dorchester Hotel in London’s
Park Lane. Guests will include VIPs from the fields of business, government, media and others in the public
eye.
About Swimovate
Swimovate Ltd is a UK company run by swimmers and triathletes developing innovative, affordable electronic
training products for sports. They are dedicated to finding workable solutions to training issues athletes of all
abilities have. The Swimovate team have extensive experience in electronic and software design,
development and manufacture worldwide.
Lisa Irlam, Swimovate Ltd, 4 The Worple, Wraysbury, Staines, TW19 5NY, UK [email protected]
About everywoman
Founded in September 1999 by Karen Gill and Maxine Benson, everywoman is an organisation dedicated to
the empowerment, inspiration and support of women in business in the UK. With 40,000 members and
growing it is the UK's largest female business community - the online and offline network is a hive of activity,
contact-building and business debate. The events, training and awards programmes are designed to educate,
inspire and support both those women who have already started their business journey and those who have
yet to set off. Its ambition is to become the world’s largest and most influential female business network,
inspiring generations of businesswomen and championing their cause, talents and prospects on a global scale.
Karen and Maxine were both awarded the MBE in January 2009 for services to women’s enterprise. For more
information, please visit: www.everywoman.com
About NatWest: NatWest is a founding partner of the NatWest everywoman awards and is proud to lead the
way as the pioneering Bank for female enterprise. The NatWest Women in Business service offers a network
of locally based Ambassadors, dedicated to supporting the needs of female entrepreneurs. NatWest
recognises the contribution that female business owners make to the economy and are proud to work with
organisations such as everywoman that promote women’s enterprise. For more information, visit
natwest.com/business or call 0800 028 2677, Minicom 0800 169 0088.
Judges
Maxine Benson, MBE, Co-founder, Everywoman Ltd
Karen Gill, MBE Co-founder, Everywoman Ltd
Deirdre Bounds, Founder, partiesaroundtheworld.co.uk, Author & inspirational business speaker
Joanna Hansford, Managing Director, Jo Hansford
Sharon Hilditch MBE, Founder & CEO, Crystal Clear International
Liz Jackson MBE, Founder & MD, Great Guns Marketing
Joy Nichols MBE, Chief Executive, Nichols Employment Agency
Mandy Nickerson, Managing Director, Bales Worldwide
Avril Owton MBE, Proprietor, The Cloud Hotel
Perween Warsi CBE, MBE, DBA, Chief Executive & Founder, S&A Foods
Beverly Webster OBE, Managing Director, Prosperis Ltd
Chrissie Rucker, MBE, Founder, The White Company
Dawn Gibbins, MBE, DBA, Founder, The Barefoot Foundation