A FORMER Malvern pupil who developed a GPS tracking device after her daughter went missing in a supermarket was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the National Business Awards on Tuesday (November 10).

Sara Murray, who attended Malvern Girls’ College, now known as Malvern St James, beat off stiff competition from nine other finalists at the prestigious competition.

Mrs Murray, who now lives in London, had previously founded, and then sold, the online insurance company Confused.com, before she went on to develop the Buddi device.

This is currently being used by more than 50 councils throughout the UK to help those caring for dementia sufferers. Lone NHS workers such as midwives and nurses have also employed the device - which can tracked to within a few feet.

The 40-year-old said: “I am gobsmacked to win, delighted and proud.”

Mrs Murray was inspired to develop Buddi - which uses the Global Positioning System - after her daughter Rowena went missing in a supermarket eight years ago.