PINK SHOE DIARY BLOG: 2019

State Opening of Parliament

For the second time in 2019 we attended the Queen's Speech and State Opening of Parliament - this time there was less ceremony as it took place without the State Coach and processions and with HM The Queen wearing day dress.

Even so, it was an historic occasion with a very different atmosphere given the large Conservative majority.

Winter Soiree

Members and friends gathered for the final Pink Shoe reception of 2019 - just 2-days before the election there was much discussion of likely outcomes!

NatWest everywoman awards

Leading business women from across the UK congregated at the Grosvenor House Hotel for the annual NatWest everywoman awards - a wonderful celebration of female enterprise and a glamorous and inspiring start to the festive season.

GEW Female Founders Summit

For the 9th year running, Pink Shoe hosted its Female Founders Summit at Westminster, generously supported by Addidi. After a welcome from our founder Helene, speakers were as amazing as always. Each gave a snapshot of their business journey. Anna Sofat, Angelique Mohring, Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE, Sarah Matthew shared many inspirational moments and then joined a panel chaired by the wonderful Sue Lawton MBE.

Inclusive Entrepreneurship with Universal Inclusion

Pink Shoe founder Helene Martin Gee joined Ambassador Jacqueline Winstanley of Universal Inclusion for a unique international event at Media City. The entrepreneurs shared many inspiring stories of their successful business journeys and how they overcame challenges to achieve success, offering insights and practical ways of building a business.

FreedomeE Sustainable Fashion

In a packed Jubilee Room at Westminster it was an honour to host the global launch of FreedomeE, an innovative digital platform that aims to transform the fashion industry by delivering traceability at every point of the fashion chain.

Social & Community Capital 20 Year Celebration

Pink Shoe Ambassadors were invited to the splendid Garden Court at Coutts to celebrate the many successful achievements of social enterprises that have been funded by NatWest's Social and Community Capital Fund over the past 20 years.

Parliament Week Talk from Mari Takayanagi

A wonderful insight into the Parliamentary archives from Dr Mari Takayanagi made our Parliament Week very special this year. Mari gave us a peep into history as she explained how a Parliamentary Act comes into being and told us of some of the remarkable women that were first admitted to the House. We were also able to view some of the most historic Acts, including the Act which enabled women to vote.

BoardAble autumn programme

The autumn BoardAble programme began with an intense first session, to which the cohort rose to the challenge and achieved good results.

It was a very full afternoon and both participants and observers worked hard to deliver the required outcomes.

Congratulations to the autumn cohort and sincere thanks to our observers.

After all the effort expended it was great to relax together and with other Pink Shoe Ambassadors and BoardAble alumnae, to enjoy an informal Aperitivo evening.

Scale-Up Institute Ambassadors Reception

Helene Martin Gee joined the Scale-Up Institute at Bird & Bird for the annual Ambassadors' reception.

Sherry Coutu and Irene Graham presented a fascinating preview of the annual review which will be launched in mid-November.

UK Launch of SheEO at Coutts

Julie Baker hosted the inspiring UK launch of SheEO a totally new way of investing in women-owned businesses.

The overarching aim is to create a global community of women working on the world’s ‘to do’ list.

SheEO does this by establishing a pool of 500 women ‘activators’ that each contribute £850 (or £71 per month) to create a fund that invests in women-owned businesses at 0% interest over 5 years.

This is intended to create a community of 'radically generous women' to lead to a perpetual fund that goes on to invest in women over generations. The initiative launched in Canada in 2015 and has since loaned out $4m in 53 different ventures – each of which is aligned with at least two of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

SheEO clearly works, as the loan repayment rate is 100%! A range of exciting businesses have already been backed and the UK is on track to launch a fund by spring 2020. You can find out more and join the SheEO community here: https://community.sheeo.world/

State Opening of Parliament

At the customary Pink Shoe event to mark the occasion of the Queen's Speech, hats were definitely the order of the day!

We were captivated by the wonderful procession and enjoyed smoked salmon and champagne as we watched the carriages go by.

After listening to Her Majesty and watching the Royal procession return, we ate a marvellous lunch with superb food and wines and great conversation.

Championing Women's Voices

Hosted at Lords by NatWest, Pink Shoe ambassadors joined women business owners and the world-Cup winning England Women's Cricket team for a conference with top speakers celebrating all aspects of women's leadership.

First we had a stimulating panel debate chaired by the wonderful June Sarpong MBE, looking at elements of success, overcoming fear of failure and how to stay motivated. Then Ebony Rainford-Brent led another great session on 'how to connect with your tribe'.

Following the morning sessions we were able to visit stands showcasing women-owned businesses including ethical clothing made from sustainable cotton.

After a buffet lunch and lots of networking we took part in group interactive activities led by Lynne Parker and her fabulous 'Funny Women' team.

BoardAble Autumn Seminar

The introductory roundtable for the BoardAble programme is always a stimulating event and the autumn session was no exception.

The roundtable with a group of senior board directors was hosted by Helene Martin Gee and Vanda Green. It started with a lively insights into public appointments and NED board roles from the extraordinary Sarah Anderson CBE. Sarah's career spans private, public and not for profit.

As a successful entrepreneur Sarah took on senior public appointments before setting up The Listening Place which provides essential support for people with mental health issues. Sarah also chairs the Honours' Committee and sits on several boards so was able to share her knowledge from a wide range of expertise.

We then heard from Pink Shoe's Jill Pay, who gave a fascinating overview of her career from advertising to Serjeant at Arms and then to Chairman of the Pink Shoe Senate and Chairman of Trustees at children's literacy charity Coram Beanstalk.

With a highly interactive Q&A session to end the formalities, delegates broke for drinks and networking.

Addidi Inaugural Conference #AreYouIn

Pink Shoe Founder Helene joined Addidi at the King’s Fund in Cavendish Square for an inspiring launch of their innovative movement that is changing the course of the wealth industry.

Addidi has an exciting vision for a culture of which everyone in the financial services industry can be proud: inclusive, diverse and improving financial wellbeing within all aspects of the business, from employee to client.

After a range of top speakers who spoke passionately about the future and how we can work together to achieve a better industry – indeed a better world – we broke into stimulating round table conversations.

Anna Sofat, founder of Addidi, outlined her ambitious aims for the #AreYouIn movement which certainly resonated with everyone.

We were all asked to make a personal commitment to improving the wealth sector. Each taking one of five pledges and undertaking to pass on a pledge to 5 others. Find out more and Join The Movement: www.addidi.com/areyouin

Summer in the City

The annual Pink Shoes on the Terrace was another lovely lunch for Ambassadors and friends on a wonderfully sunny August Friday.

As a change from the usual menu, guests enjoyed Fizz, Fish & Chips in splendid style - and not to forget the biggest bowl of mushy peas we'd ever seen!

Conversation flowed as guests exchanged business ideas across different fields from construction to education, private, public and third sectors.

Time went all too quickly at the final Pink Shoe event of the season before we break for well-deserved holidays.

Pink Shoe is back next month for the BoardAble NED and Public Appointments seminar on 12th September.