Monmouthshire-based retail designer Cathy Simms has won a national business award for her design and project management practice called C-Inside.

Cathy, who's business is based in Trellech, near Monmouth, received the Sole Trader of the Year 2018 award at a ceremony held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.

Teresa Scott OBE presented the award accompanied by Sarah Senior, head of retail development at Yankee Candle

C-Inside was launched in 2014, as Cathy resurrected her design career after a serious illness.

When it was launched, C-Inside offered design, planning, project management and shopfitting to the retail design sector.

As a sole trader, Cathy has since designed, planned and project managed the fit out of more than 60 shops for a variety of high street brands, including Yankee Candle, Skechers and Animal, along with some independent opticians.

Cathy was delighted to receive the award and plans to grow her business to employ staff to assist with the growing workload.

Now five years cancer free, Cathy also works with cancer charity Macmillan to raise awareness of cancer and discrimination in the workplace.

She recently attended the Macmillan coffee morning at the Houses of Parliament and shared her story with Newport MP Jessica Morden.

Jessica Morden said: “ It was a pleasure to meet Cathy recently at the Macmillan coffee morning in Parliament and to see her amazing resilience and the success she’s had in her career and business.”

Cathy said: “I am privileged to still be here and to have resurrected my design career.

"Although I have previously been criticised for 'banging on about cancer', I will continue to work with Macmillan wherever possible as I hope to inspire other survivors that cancer doesn’t have to change your career.

"I am very lucky to have such high-profile clients. It is a joy to design and help deliver such beautiful stores around the UK and to be part of such a brilliant team.”