A THRIVING entrepreneur who has been using her business to help children across the county has been named as one of the UK’s top 100 female business leaders.

Leonie Briggs, founder and director of interactive science education business Amazelab, has been included in Small Business Britain’s annual list of top female role models for 2025.

The business deliver accessible STEAM workshops for children of all ages and abilities, with Leonie carrying out live experiments on BBC Radio 5 Live and Radio 4’s Women’s Hour.

In 2024, Leonie - of Hoyland Common - estimates more than 250,000 young people enjoyed Amazelab’s educational activities, events and resources.

She said: “I love what I do and I’m thrilled to be included in this year’s list of top female entrepreneurs.

“I’ll use every opportunity this provides to shout about the value of science education for all.

“I also want to highlight the many wonderful careers in science which are available to young people, especially in our region where there is so much industry and innovation.”

A former chemistry teacher, her idea for Amazelab came about during Covid-19, when in 2020 she delivered virtual workshops with conical flasks on her dining room table, using a single web-cam.

Five years later and she is now thought to be the first Barnsley woman to be recognised as a trailblazer in Small Business Britain’s annual female entrepreneur awards.

“I’m passionate about science education and helping young people to discover new things, work things out and create stuff that make them go ‘wow’,” she added.

“I never miss an opportunity to get out there and so many wonderful people and organisations have been in touch with me since Covid that I’ve been able to collaborate and deliver more and more growing the business quicker than I could ever imagine.”