A BOLTON businesswoman has been shortlisted for a top national award.

Emma Sheldon, group marketing director for Bolton-based infection prevention products company Vernacare, is in the running for the Institute of Directors' UK International Director of the Year.

Having been crowned the North West International Director of the Year earlier this year, she has been shortlisted for the national award, which will be presented at the grand final in London on 21 October 2016.

Emma leads Vernacare's marketing across 48 countries, including successful new market entry into southern Asia, China, India, Middle East, Japan and France, which contributed 25% of sales growth last year.

Over the past two years, she has helped lead an overseas profit increase of 65%.

She is also a group board member of the UK India Business Council (UKIBC), a UKTI trade ambassador, and a board member of Greater Manchester Regional Growth Fund.

These are roles in which she encourages other businesses to expand international trade and diversify into new global markets.

Ms Sheldon said: "It's a huge honour to reach the UK final of the IOD awards and to gain recognition for Vernacare's export success.

"Our hygienic single-use toileting and washing products are used in 96% of NHS trusts and now this best practice system has been adopted in 48 other countries.

"Our award winning products are reducing the risk of vulnerable patients contracting potentially deathly infections such as MRSA, Clostridium difficile, E.Coli, Norovirus and Ebola. We are proud to champion cleaner, safer healthcare worldwide."