The Pink Shoe Year

2014 was another brilliant year for with notable achievements, incomparable networking and many successful events for Pink Shoe's fabulous and growing membership. 

The Pink Shoe Senate chaired by Jill Pay has blossomed and the FQ international conference was a triumph. 

This was followed by the historic signing of an MOU with WIPP International. 



Pink Shoe Foundation delivered an acclaimed ‘Women in Public Life’ Shadowing Programme led by Vanda Green; and Helene Martin Gee was thrilled that Pink Shoe once again achieved an Award for its Global Entrepreneurship Week events.

Exchange trips were made to Brussels and Washington and the club welcomed international speakers and visitors from across the EU, the US, China, Singapore, Turkey, Japan and Malaysia.

Most importantly, the club’s valued Ambassadors have worked with us throughout the year and the club has been delighted to add to this inspiring membership with some prominent new Ambassadors whom we look forward to getting to know in the coming year. As the 2015 programme begins in this election year, Pink Shoe is set to be even busier and on track for ever greater success!

2014 highlights include…
January started with an expert panel debating healthy eating, how to stay slim and fit and the myths and truths behind the latest health news. Guests were delighted to receive a copy of Lyndon Gee’s latest Health and Fitness book ‘Eat Well Stay Slim’. 

In February the pilot of the Women in Public Life shadowing programme began. Members of the first cohort joined the PSF Leadership team at Admiralty House for a networking reception hosted by Francis Maude MP to promote Public Appointments.

To celebrate International Women’s Day members enjoyed an excellent lecture on Ellen Wilkinson MP at the House of Commons, followed by a lovely Aperitivo. 

Also in March an Enterprise Forum on Manufacturing ‘Better Made in Britain’ was held at the House of Lords in partnership with the All-Party Entrepreneurship Group.

In April the first cohort completed the successful pilot of the Women in Public life shadowing programme. Thank you to the PSF team who put so much into making it work and to the delegates for their commitment and enthusiasm. 

At our Tetes a Tetes in May members were thrilled to hear from Dame Kate Barker CBE, sharing her top tips for success in a stimulating fireside conversation with Jill Pay. 





May too saw one of the most stupendous occasions of the PSC calendar, with members lucky in the ballot attending the State Opening of Parliament and enjoying a private lunch in the Chess Room of the House of Commons; and this was also the month we celebrated our 7^th Birthday with a fabulous party! 

In July, ambassadors and members again attended a Public Appointments reception hosted by the Rt Hon Francis Maude MP and organized by the Cabinet Office and DCMS, this time at the National Portrait Gallery.

During August the PSC Senate worked hard on planning the club’s first major international conference, ably supported by intern Dory Gazic from Vienna. Members also found time to enjoy some special lunches on the terrace in the sunshine!

In September, PSC supported The Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund (CCLEF) at the fabulous ‘Splendours of the Commonwealth’ show to kickstart London Fashion Week at the May Fair Hotel.

October was a resounding success with the international Female Quotient conference discussing opportunities for women in business in the 'Tigress Economy'. World class speakers too numerous to list, along with outstanding debate from delegates, led to excellent ideas to be put forward as an Economic Blueprint to Government. 

November was hugely busy – the highlight being the signing of the MOU between the Pink Shoe Foundation and WIPP International to deliver the Economic Blueprint for Women. 


November activities held jointly for Parliament Week and Global Entrepreneurship Week included hosting a Turkish delegation of leading women entrepreneurs from KAGIDER and a Summit to refine ideas for on the Economic Blueprint, culminating in a reception hosted by Baroness Howells. The events earned Pink Shoe the honour of a GEW High Impact Award for the 6^th year running. 

The year ended with a magnificent winter soiree. Each guest received a book kindly donated by Val McKie. The usual top notch buffet and prosecco saw members rounding off the year in style before a well earned rest over the holiday season.

Winter Soirée

The final event of an exciting year was a stunning Winter Soirée hosted by Helene Martin Gee and Jill Pay at the House of Commons and brilliantly organised by Sheila Williamson. 

Accompanied by an abundance of award-winning prosecco and Kentish pear juice, the sumptuous seasonal buffet was organised by the amazing Lyndon Gee and Ling Tyler-Bennett.

Longstanding ambassadors were joined by new members and guests, and the evening was judged to be one of our most successful yet - going on far later than planned.

Guests were each presented with a copy of ‘Braver than you think’ generously donated by Val McKie and signed by the author, Jackie Le Fevre. Thank you Val and Jackie!

Small Business Saturday

Pink Shoe aims to support local and small businesses whenever and wherever possible and is delighted to see the annual Small Business Saturday initiative imported from the US is gaining huge momentum. 

PSC encouraged its members to participate and many of ambassadors took part across the UK, further inspired by our friends at WIPP who run the well established Small Business Saturday across the United States.

Friendly, individual service and know-how makes for a great shopping experience.

Favourites included Elysian Treasures in Hythe with a gorgeous mix of vintage accesories, china and clothes along with hand crafted gifts.

The Old High Street in Folkestone is another source of eclectic shops with beautifully crafted individual gifts from local preserves to orginal art works.

Pink Shoe Club hosts Turkish Delegation

As part of its activities for Global Entrepreneurship Week and Parliament Week, Pink Shoe Club hosted a delegation from KAGIDER, the eminent Turkish Women Entrepreneurs Network. 



Lord Ahmed officially welcomed the delegation to the House of Lords. 











Then Kagider President Gulden Turktan gave a fascinating address and presented Lord Ahmed with a special Award.  

Following this, we heard interesting presentations from Marianne Schoening of Accenture and Charlotte Ruhe from EBRD. Jill Pay then chaired the roundtable discussion on 'Women as engineers of Economic Growth' sharing ideas on cooperation between women owned businesses in Turkey and the UK. Finally, Sue Lawton chaired an interactive debate on how women entrepreneurs can best engage with democracy.

Pink Shoe signs MOU with WIPP International

On Women's Entrepreneurship Day, the Pink Shoe Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Women Impacting Public Policy International. 


This colloboration is the first step towards the creation of a Global Economic Blueprint for Women. Pink Shoe Club will be working on the UK's bespoke Blueprint, with guidance from WIPP International.

          

Women's Entrepreneurship Day

To celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week as part of its annual series of high impact events, on Women's Entrepreneurship Day Pink Shoe Club held an interactive debate on International Entrepreneurship for Women. 












Delegates discussed the excellent ideas put forward at the recent Female Quotient (FQ) conference, with the best ideas being refined ready for inclusion in the UK's Economic Blueprint.

The event was hosted by The Earl of Erroll on behalf of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Entrepreneurship. Lorely Burt MP, Chairman of the All-Party Group for Women & Enterprise spoke eloquently in the debate. 

Following the roundtable guests adjourned for drinks and networking.

MP of the Year

In the grand surroundings of the Speaker's House at the House of Commons, Patchwork Foundation held its annual MP of the Year ceremony. 

The event was well attended by MPs of all Parties to hear the winner announced: Chuka Umunna MP.

The Female Quotient International Conference

After a warm welcome to the Attlee Suite of the House of Commons from Pink Shoe founder Helene Martin Gee, the FQ programme began with an inspiring keynote on High Growth Business from Sara Murray OBE, founder of Buddi and tipped as one of the Top 10 UK entrepreneurs to watch. 











Jennifer Bisceglie, Chairman of Women Impacting Public Policy in the US then gave an insoght into how the Economic Blueprint will work and the exciting collabotation between WIPP and PSC. 


The conference aim was to generate tangible ideas that will form the UK's own Blueprint, working with WIPP on delivering a relevant and effective body to directly improve business conditions for women in the UK.




This action packed day featured world class speakers and lots of interaction with delegates. 

Pink Shoe meets Global WIN Delegation in Brussels

Helene Martin Gee represented Pink Shoe Club to meet with a high powered delegation from Washington, all members of the Global Women's Innovation Network. 











Brilliantly organised by Helen Milby and Lauren Wessler this was an action-packed trip and we were delighted to be involved.

IoD Annual Convention

The theme of this year's annual IoD Convention was 'Where Game Changers do Business'. A group of Pink Shoe members were able to attend the convention, once again held at the Royal Albert Hall, and enjoy inspiring speakers from the world of international business and social enterprise.