Women in Public Life

The Women in Public Life Shadowing Scheme has recruited its first cohort for the pilot programme. From a very strong field 5 candidates were selected to shadow inspiring women already holding senior public appointments. The cohort met at Westminster to discover exactly what is involved, be assigned to a 'Shadow Principal' and meet their colleagues. 




Programme Director Vanda Green and PSF Trustee Una McBride joined Pink Shoe Founder Helene Martin Gee to welcome the first group. (L-R: Vanda Green, Tracey Bleakley, Bronwen Horton, Helene Martin Gee, Claire Viney, Helen Carter, Veronica Broomes, Una McBride.

Created by Helene and Vanda, the programme is being delivered by the Pink Shoe Foundation. The foundation has received valuable support from each of the Shadow Principals, especially Sarah Anderson CBE,  as well as from the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments. 

So impressive were all the candidates and so high the demand for places that Pink Shoe Foundation is already planning further shadowing programmes. It is also running a series of workshops to expand the talent pipeline.

Pink Shoe Ambassadors in Action

 (Image by Roger Harris Photography)

Chairman of the Pink Shoe Senate and founder Ambassador Jill Pay was honoured to be presented to HM Queen Elizabeth II at the Palace of Westminster. Her Majesty was visiting Parliament to view the Elizabeth Window, commissioned to commemorate the Golden Jubilee and recently installed in Westminster Hall. Overseeing the project was part of Jill’s work when she was Serjeant at Arms in the House of Commons.

PSC Founder Helene Martin Gee along with some of our members were able to watch Her Majesty arrive and were naturally delighted to see the Queen was wearing pink!             

Pink Shoe Ambassador Ishreen Bradley is founder of BizAs Coaching & Consulting which is actively involved in helping emerging business owners, especially women. 

As part of her excellent work in this area Ishreen hosts events and activities to support entrepreneurs and business owners. 

We are delighted to hear that Ishreen has now been Admitted as a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Marketors, at a dinner and ceremony at the Fishmongers' Hall.

Many congratulations to Ishreen!