SARAN Allott-Davey's employees know a good boss when they see one.

The founder and managing director of Heron House Financial Management in Newport came second in a premier UK competition - and she was nominated by one of her staff.

Mrs Allott-Davey was just pipped at the post in the Independent Finance Association's Woman of the Year awards.

She set up her company, which offers fee-based financial planning, after working for big insurance firms and a stint as a graduate trainee with NatWest. She employs eight staff at her Bryngwyn Road headquarters.

The competition drew a huge response from all over Britain and to get to the front meant a series of gruelling interviews.

The final session was with seven high-powered judges, including the financial editor of Which? Magazine, who all had different views on business finance.

"We were quizzed on the industry and on the sort of day-to-day advice we give to clients," she said.

"It was quite testing and we were questioned for about an hour.

"It was quite useful in that all the stages were different."

Mrs Allott-Davey attended a glittering awards event at Canary Wharf in London, which included a champagne reception.

Mrs Allott-Davey said she differed from the other contestants in being a working mother and believed working mums made good employees who could add value to a business.