State Opening of Parliament

State Opening is undoubtedly one of our most glamorous events of the year. 

Ambassador members who were lucky in the ballot arrived in their Ascot finery to watch the royal procession.

We then meandered through the main Palace to soak up the atmosphere. 


Including a visit to the royal gallery and robing room, plus a brief chat with a BBC crew who were filming the event!

After that to our private room for an excellent State Opening luncheon. 




A big thank you to the House of Commons team!

Lunch was followed by an hour spent in the House of Commons chamber listening to the PM and Leader of the Opposition debate the Queen’s speech.

Roundtable debate: Closing the Skills Gap

At the House of Lords, Pink Shoe hosted the UK launch of a ground breaking report from EY launched at the WEF at Davos. 

APPGE Co-chairman the Earl of Erroll got the event off to a lively start. Julie Teigland of EY then outlined the 5 key aims of the report.

On behalf of DfID Baroness Verma then shared with us the activities of the High Level Panel, which Justine Greening is a member.

We then heard from Maria Miller MP about the excellent progress being made by the Women and Equalities Committee.

The discussion chaired by Jill Pay debated the key ideas with delegates. 

We then enjoyed the inspiring closing remarks from Pink Shoe’s longstanding friend Lorely, Baroness Burt before adjourning for the reception.

‘Empowering women for economic growth’ at Chatham House

An absorbing roundtable at Chatham House with guest speaker HE Mme Michelle Bachelet, the President of Chile. 

As part Women ³ Fast Forward Women, EY are supporting an innovative W20 initiative created by Chatham House.