Pink Shoe Senate

Jill Pay, Chairman of the Pink Shoe Senate chaired the first Senate meeting of the year and welcomed two new Senators whom we are sure will make a great contribution to the strategic growth and international outlook of Pink Shoe - Fiona Capstick, Associate Director at EY; and Laura Cordingley (nee Brown) from the Mayor's Office, who is shortly moving to take up the post of CEO at 'Chance to Shine' the MCC charity. 

They were joined by longstanding Senators Sue Lawton MBE, international womens' champion and a valued supporter of Pink Shoe; along with Elizabeth Crowther Hunt chairman of the Westminster Business Council; and Pink Shoe founder Helene Martin Gee.

After a highly productive meeting, in true Pink Shoe style we adjourned for a glass of Champagne.

Annual IWD Lecture at the House of Commons

Pink Shoe Ambassadors attended the annual IWD Lecture at the House of Commons. 

Helen Pankhurst, great-granddaughter of Emmeline and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst gave an inspiring introduction. 

International development and women’s activist, author and adviser to CARE International, Helen spoke about her new book ‘Deeds not Words’ in which she writes the story of about women’s rights to mark the centenary of women’s suffrage.

Harriet Harman delivered the lecture, entitled ‘A Women's Work' she reflected on her time as a woman in Parliament and how the experience has changed since she was first elected in 1982 – with an increasin numbers of female MPs across all parties. 



Harriet also considered the pros and cons of all-women shortlists and their impact on female participation in politics.

IWD Afternoon Tea

In what has become an annual tradition, Pink Shoe Ambassadors were hosted by Lorely -Baroness Burt - at the House of Lords in honour of International Women's Day 2018. 

Lorely talked to us about her support of Karma Nirvana; founded by Jasvinder Sanghera CBE the charity is doing vital work to support potential victims of forced marriage and honour-based abuse. 

We all bought spoon badges, which signify the very practical step that girls can take to prevent having to get married against their will. See: https://www.karmanirvana.org.uk/

This year's IWD theme of #PressforProgress was the basis of our roundtable conversations as we explored how Pink Shoe is supporting and encouraging women through its wide range of activities and what more we can do in the future. 

NatWest 'Women of Influence' Dinner

Jill Pay and Helene Martin Gee were honoured to join Julie Baker, Head of Enterprise at NatWest, for the first 'Women of Influence' dinner held at Drummonds Bank in the sumptuous Trafalgar Room. 

It was a remarkable evening combining history, splendour and lively conversation over an excellent dinner.







Firstly, guests learned something of the long and renowned history of Drummonds, with its national and international royal customers through the centuries to the present day.

Dinner conversation focused on women in business and covered many topics including mentoring, investment for growth and the importance of networks.

EY Female Entrepreneurs' Dinner

Our founder Helene was delighted once again to be a guest of EY at this fascinating dinner discussion hosted by Jennifer Wytcherley and Joanna Santinon at 1 Lombard Street. 

Guests heard from former EY partner and founder of Endless, Garry Wilson about his fascinating journey to set up what is now a fully fledged private equity house, with almost £1bn of funds under investment having aquired 80 businesses. 


Garry gave a unique vision into what drives him and excellent insight from an investment perspective, along with top tips on how to secure investment for a growing business. Essential knowledge for anyone seeking to scale-up.