http://nz.biz.yahoo.com//091022/3/f9ld.html

Businesswoman Diane Foreman has been named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year for 2009.

She headed off four other finalists and will represent New Zealand at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in Monte Carlo in May 2010, it was announced in Auckland last night.

Mrs Foreman's Emerald Group includes Emerald Foods, which makes well known icecreams such as Movenpick and New Zealand Natural.

Emerald Group also owns 2 3 percent of Healthcare Holdings .

Previous winners of the entrepreneur award include jeweller Michael Hill, Weta's Richard Taylor and Villa Maria's Sir George Fistonich.