Timaru ex-pat Anne Timpany impressed the judges with a win in a national female entrepreneur awards in the United Kingdom.

When Anne Timpany arrived in London in 2003 for a typical six month "Kiwi" stopover, she had no idea that her life was about to change dramatically and forever.

Timpany, originally from Timaru, was recently named as a winner at the 15th annual NatWest everywoman Awards, a prestigious initiative recognising the achievements of female entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom.

After leaving New Zealand to travel the world and develop her career in hospitality, Timpany found herself in London in 2003, where she met her Albanian husband Raff who was working as a plumber.

Realising their combined skills meant that they could start up on their own, they founded On Tap Plumbers in 2010. Shortly after launching the company Timpany became pregnant but still spent hours networking and on the phone to drum up business for her husband.

In 2014 they decided to focus entirely on commercial plumbing and since then their business has soared.

In three years they are now invited to tender for major developments and have 50 plumbers and seven apprentices across seven construction sites in London as a result of Timpany's entrepreneurial skills and their combined hard work.

On Tap Plumbers have worked as contractors on some of London's most iconic buildings including The Leadenhall Building "The Cheesegrater'', 20 Fenchurch St "'The Walkie Talkie", Leicester Square, Facebook Headquarters, and they are currently working on Wood Wharf, a major development in Canary Wharf.

"I was completely overwhelmed when my name was announced as a winner," Timpany said.

"I was shocked as I was up against two extraordinary women and truly did not expect to win at all.

"I was genuinely thrilled to have got as far as being a finalist and just enjoyed the lovely awards lunch and ceremony.

"I can't believe that a girl like me from Timaru has won a national UK award, which is a real acknowledgement for On Tap Plumbers and how far my wonderfully supportive husband Raff and I have come."

Timpany said seven Kiwis were working for the company in London.

"I'd welcome many more because New Zealand plumbers are trained to a much higher standard and are amongst the best in the world.

"Back home being a plumber is considered a first class career whereas in the UK there are still an awful lot of snobbish attitudes about people who choose a trade as a career."

Timpany was selected by a judging panel of 18 of the UK's most successful businesswomen including Chrissie Rucker, Cath Kidston, Rosaleen Blair and Poonam Gupta.

Awards co-founder Maxine Benson said ; "When we created these awards 15 years ago to champion women in enterprise, little did we know the stories we would uncover and the phenomenal women we would meet.

"Over the years we have been delighted to learn of the impact these awards have had on previous winners as we believe women from all backgrounds should have a platform to share their success stories and highlight what can be achieved even when faced with life's biggest challenges.

"This year's winners are a true testament to the breadth of female talent in this country and we wish them all continued success."