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North East businesswomen come together to organise IWD conference

Four female businesswoman from the region have banded together to organise an event championing women in the workplace, scheduled to take place on International Women’s Day (March 8).

With female entrepreneurship firmly in the spotlight in the North East at present, the conference will show the importance of women at work and what can be achieved for people who decide to go it alone or work within a corporate environment.

The event has been organised by Jeni Banks, managing director of The Mussel Club, owner of RedHandbag Sharon MacArthur, Cheryl Holmstrom, Enterprise & Innovation, University of Sunderland, and Louise Kennedy managing director of Oculus HR.

Speaking about the event, Jeni Banks, commented: “This is the first IWD conference that I have been involved in and I am honored to have played a part in the event.

“We want to create a day that not just promotes, but supports all businesses, men included! We are building on the success of last year’s conference to help people build lasting connections, as well as providing a great line up of speakers which will inspire and help businesses on the road to success.”

Speakers at the event include; Fiona Cruickshank MBE from Community Foundation and Kevin Haynes, Head of Learning and Development from Greggs PLC.

The event is sponsored by the University of Sunderland Business Schools Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship Programme.

Claire Hoy, who helped develop the programme and is speaking at the event commented, said: “I am privileged to have been asked to speak at this event.

“As a female academic and experienced leader in business I understand the challenges facing women in the workplace and absolutely value the positive impact that higher education can have in addressing and overcoming these challenges.

“I’m delighted that we have been able to develop a work relevant, Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship Programme which due to its design, content and delivery approach will support the personal and professional development of women and indeed all participants in their leadership journey.”

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