A YORK business-woman who created a chocolate-based venture built on the city’s confectionery heritage has been shortlisted in the Director of the Year awards.

The annual competition, hosted by the Institute of Directors (IoD), has named Sophie Jewett, founder of York Cocoa House, as one of three finalists in the Young Director of the Year category of the Yorkshire and Humber awards.

Ms Jewett, who plans to expand her cafe and workshop business in Blake Street, with a £1.3 million factory on the former Terry’s site in York, will compete against William Sutton of Vista and Nik Pratap of Brewster Pratap Recruitment Group for the title.

The trophies will be awarded at the Hilton Sheffield Hotel in Victoria Quays on June 11. Winners go forward to the IoD Director of the Year awards.