Winter Soirée

Our final event of the year is always one of the most popular as Pink Shoe senators, ambassadors, members and friends gather for the Winter Soirée. This year was no exception!



We were delighted to be joined by Baroness Jenkin. Anne is co-founder of Women2Win along with our Patron, Prime Minister Theresa May, and is passionate about involving more women in politics.

At the event we honoured Baroness Howells, who retires from the House of Lords after many years. Ros is a real trailblazer and has been active in engaging and inspiring young people from all backgrounds. 


Pink Shoe founder Helene Martin Gee presented a gift, and Lady Howells spoke eloquently about her journey to becoming a Baroness - although she did say that as a young woman Hollywood had more appeal! 

The movie world's loss is our gain and Ros will be much missed in the House.

NatWest everywoman Awards

Helene Martin Gee and Jill Pay were thrilled to be invited to the prestigious NatWest everywoman Awards at the Dorchester as guests of NatWest. 

This glittering occasion has been recognising successful female entrepreneurs for 16 years. 







It began with a Taittinger Rosé reception before guests were seated in the packed ballroom for a lovely 3-course lunch. 

We were able to meet many of the shortlisted candidates, all of whom were worthy of an award so the judges clearly had a tough job selecting the final winners. 


For the full list of recipients go to: NatWest everywoman 2018 Awards Winners

Pink Shoe Christmas Luncheons

This year due to demand we held two wonderful Christmas luncheons on Monday and Friday in our fabulous private room overlooking the river. It was universally agreed that the more intimate setting was a big success so we'll be repeating this during 2019.

Ambassadors, members and guests enjoyed fizz on arrival followed by an updated turkey lunch or delicious wild mushroom ragout, followed by traditional pudding or poached pears. 

On both days, conversation was animated throughout and the food, service, setting and company was  superb. 

Huge congratulations and thanks to chefs, waiters and staff for looking after

WIL Brussels Breakfast Debate on Gender Diversity

Helene Martin Gee joined our friends at WIL - European Women in Leadership - for a breakfast debate at the European Parliament supported by Procot & Gamble, to discuss gender balance.

The panel of senior women leaders was chaired by WIL President Thaima Samman; with panel members Renate Nikolay, Head of Cabinet to Commissioner Jourova; Ourania Ekaterinari, CEO, Hellenic Corporation; Isabella Lenarduzzi, Founder of JUMP; Caroline Thomaes, Benelux Country Leader, Proctor & Gamble.

Delegates heard about exciting initiatives from P&G and considered a range of different practices in countries across Europe, how effectiveness is measured and where more action is required. 

For a full report from WIL on the event please see: Gender Diversity Debate Report

#FQ5 at The Shard

For the fifth year, Pink Shoe held its International Forum for female founders and business owners. In partnership with the Enterprise Research Centre and Addidi at the Warwick Business School in The Shard. 

With the focus this year on technology, 100 delegates from across the world of business met to discuss how to encourage more women to scale their businesses.

Professor Stephen Roper and Helene Martin Gee welcomed guests then handed over to our Forum Chairman Julie Baker. 

We enjoyed the first keynote from Thaima Samman, President of our sister network European Women in Leadership, in conversation with Dr Maggie Semple OBE, herself an entrepreneur and senior public appointee.

Following this we had a great presentation from Stephen Roper on 'The State of Small Business Britain' with insights on enterprise and SMEs across the UK. The morning continued with a conversation between Anna Sofat, founder of Addidi and Sarah Matthew, serial entrepreneur and investor who recently set up Vibrant.

Finally, Leadership Director Vanda Green spoke with two BoardAble alumnae Loraine Midda MBE and Tracey Bleakley, CEO of Hospice UK, on their experiences of the programme and how it is helping with their Board and NED roles.

Julie Baker brilliantly summed up a packed morning before we adjourned for a networking lunch. 

In the first afternoon session Jill Pay updated delegates on progress for the UK Economic Blueprint and Rebecca Hill gave an insight into work with University of East London on creating a data repository, and some innovative research into the female enterprise ecosystem.

Then two lively tech presentations from Sarah Rench of EY, along with her robot! And a fascinating insight to Blockchain strategy from Dell's Nkiru Uwaje. Ellen Donnolly of The Bakery, London shared the inside track on gaining investment, what investors are looking for, how to prep for the pitch and get investment-ready.


Delegates were randomly allocated to 8 discussion groups to come up with a big idea for the Economic Blueprint White Paper to be published in partnership with NatWest in 2019.

Fiona Capstick and Cheryl Martin of EY led discussions on how technology can be used by and for SMEs; with Nkiru Uwaje debating technology too but with a specific focus on Blockchain. 


Rebecca Hill's group discussed female-friendly support; Cheryl Gourlay and her delegates considered the Treasury Review and how to boost female enterprise; Lan O'Connor chaired a discussion on Procurement; Ellen Donnolly's group focused on making an entrepreneur more investable; while Lola Owolabi's discussion focused on balancing social and economic impact of business.

Each group shared its outcomes with all the delegates and we were blown away by so many creative and new ideas! An ace panel chaired by Sarah Pennells with Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE, Anna Sofat, Stephen Roper and Sarah Rench gave feedback to each group.

Findings will be published in the 2019 White Paper. Meanwhile, a report on #FQ5 ideas and outcomes is available from info@pinkshoeclub.com