Winning Is a Process, Not a Prize Draw
A lack of confidence, time and resources can make entering business awards feel daunting but with the right process, winning is far more achievable than many business owners realise.
In this revised and updated edition of WINNER, Denise O’Leary shares her proven step-by-step system for identifying the right awards, gathering evidence and crafting standout entries that catch judges’ attention.
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Written by Someone Who Wins for a Living
Denise O’Leary MBE founded Purpol Marketing as a brand, marketing and bid strategy consultancy specialising in the manufacturing and construction sectors. She is passionate about helping organisations win, whether that’s securing major contracts or earning industry recognition through awards.
A multi-award winner and professional bid writer, Denise has helped clients secure opportunities worth more than £4.8 billion. She develops marketing strategies, delivers bid training and speaks internationally on how to win.
Read more at www.deniseoleary.com
Meet Denise: The Person Behind Purpol
Denise O’Leary, MBE, was born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, and retains a strong connection to the countryside, now living in Chippenham with her husband, Malc, alongside a much-loved collection of wildlife, including wild birds and hedgehogs.
Denise launched Purpol Marketing in 2014, as a consultancy specialising in brand, marketing and bid strategy, with a focus on the manufacturing and construction sectors.
Her approach was shaped by first-hand experience of ineffective, overly promotional marketing. She set out to provide practical, commercially grounded advice that businesses could apply with confidence.
Denise identified a gap in the market for a tailored service for high-level bid support and marketing director expertise on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis.
Denise’s work has contributed to securing frameworks and contract wins valued at over £4.8 billion (2026), supporting businesses across a wide range of sectors.
Her experience spans multiple sectors, from construction and engineering to consumer products and specialist services.
Born Competitive: A Career Built on Winning
Her love of winning started with slogan competitions. Denise achieved a first-class bachelor’s degree studying competitive behaviour and a distinction in her master’s degree, focused on the impact of the internet on business.
This early experience shaped her understanding of what drives successful competition entries, which she later applied to business awards.
As a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and professional bid writer, Denise has won over 100 awards with Purpol and supported clients in achieving many more.
In recognition of her services to business and entrepreneurship, she was awarded an MBE in 2022.
Denise writes for large organisations, trains teams in bid writing and speaks nationally and internationally on how to win.
