A Battersea company that market a range of security products for women has been crowned one of the UK’s best new international businesses in the 2010 HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards.

Simon McGivern and James Phillips, who founded ila Security in August 2008, were presented with their award at a black-tie gala dinner held at London’s Dorchester Hotel last night (Monday 18 October).

Women in the UK are growing increasingly concerned for their safety, with a recent survey showing that 68% of them named safety as their main concern in life – second only to their career. ila Security was founded by entrepreneurs Simon McGivern and James Phillips, who spotted a gap in the market for innovative, stylish safety solutions that would be attractive to women.

iIa Security’s products feature a range of personal alarms and safety/security products created as fashionable accessories that exhibit unique and trendy designs which ensure women keep safe wherever they go.

In August 2008 ila Security received breakthrough orders from two major high street retailers. There was further success in 2009, when the business went on to crack the Canadian market.

Sales are growing 250% - 300% a year and ila Security are now entering five to ten new countries a year – the latest being the USA, Finland, New Zealand and South Africa.

For partners, Simon and James, its one more step on their quest to make ila the global brand of choice for female security.

Head of Business Banking for HSBC, Huw Morgan, said: “We hope the success of ila Security reaching this year’s HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards finals will help it go from strength to strength, as well as prove to other budding entrepreneurs that business dreams really can be turned into reality.”

Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable, said: “Celebrating our enterprising and innovative business culture is a wonderful way to highlight the essential role of entrepreneurship and commerce in Britain today.

“These companies demonstrate how British entrepreneurship is driving the small and medium sized enterprise sector forward. They have achieved this despite some of the toughest economic conditions for decades, and are succeeding in sectors across our economy and markets across the world.”

The HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards, now in their 10th year, recognise the UK’s most promising young businesses less than four years old, with more than £50,000 of cash and prizes presented to the winners.

There was also a specialist Green category - which recognised businesses with a specific focus on environmental issues.