Helene Martin Gee gives a talk at Henley Business School

Pink Shoe Founder Helene Martin Gee spoke on entrepreneurship at Henley Business School, Reading University. A group of visiting Chinese students from Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, were joined by post-graduate students from the Henley School of Entrepreneurship. 

Helene spoke about her own career, the setting up of Pink Shoe Club and future trends in business. One area in which Helene believes there is much opportunity is Internet retail, especially in the luxury market. 'It’s vital to me I work in an area that interests and excites me, that’s why I focus on luxury. Business ideas that resonate with one’s own life are much more likely to be successful’.

Other speakers included Judy Piatkus, who told of an exciting business journey from her spare room to running an international publishing business, Piatkus Books. Judy talked about the importance of timing and team work. ‘Timing and looking out for future trends is vital in business’ Judy certainly walks her talk - with excellent foresight and demonstrating a clear knowledge of the world publishing market, Judy sold her company in 2007 as she could see that the digital revolution was about to completely change the publishing world.

Later in the week, the Universities met at The House of Lords as The Earl of Erroll hosted the group to sign a Memo of Understanding between Henley Business School and Zhejiang University.

Luncheon Discussion at the House of Lords

More than 50 people attended a symposium and luncheon in the Cholmondeley Room hosted by Lord Ahmed and The Earl of Erroll. Guest of Honour was HH Princess Reem Al Faisal of Paris-based NGO the NAAM Association.

Ideas were shared on human and civil rights for all the people of Al Quds (Jerusalem). With presentations from HH as well as Mrs Samar Fatany, NAAM Director General and previously Chief Broadcaster at Jeddah Radio Station, and Khaled Al Maeena, Editor in Chief of the Saudi Gazette. 

There was then an interactive Q&A session followed by a first class lunch. Princess Reem, speakers and hosts circulated around the room conversing with the guests and sharing further thoughts about this vital subject. 



The House of Lords banqueting team excelled themselves with the buffet food, including excellent bream, salads and rice pilaf as well as a very more-ish blueberry tart.

Enterprise Forum on Crowdfunding

In partnership with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Entrepreneurship we held a Panel Debate chaired by the Earl of Erroll: Crowd funding and how it can be leveraged to support entrepreneurial Britain.

The excellent keynote speakers were Darren Westlake, co-founder of Crowdcube and Julia Groves, Chairman of the UK Crowdfunding Association. Julia started us off brilliantly by giving us an overview of crowdfunding and how working with appropriate regulation makes this the next generation of business funding for a diverse range of businesses.

Darren gave us a great insight into crowdfunding and the exciting opportunities it offers to new and expanding businesses, especially where traditional funders don’t get involved. It’s exciting to hear that the UK is leading the way on crowdfunded equity investments. Crowdcube itself vets all businesses seeking funding and takes its fee only from successfully funded projects, 97% of which are EIS/SEIS. Over the past 2 years they have raised almost 7m into 46 companies with over 600 new jobs being created in the businesses!

We then heard from three crowdfunded businesses - Gem Misa of healthy foods business Righteous, Andrew Wordsworth of E-car Club, and Barry Laden MBE of East End Manufacturing. All three very different but with the wonderful passion and enthusiasm of successful and growing entrepreneurs. Each had had problems with traditional funding routes and been turned down by the banks so it was great to hear of their ongoing success.

Andrew took quite a while to get funding as his sustainable business model of shared car ownership didn’t fit the mould, despite being profitable as well as green. E-car Club is now growing and he loves the crowdfunding route as ‘the crowd judges’ (the business).

Barry is passionate about bringing manufacturing back to the UK, specifically to the East End. Not only bringing jobs and quality of work, but also taking him back to his family roots in tailoring. He agreed that crowdfunding isn’t an easy option ‘you still need a good pitch and the financials need to stack up’ but he too loved the process!

Gem couldn’t get bank finance due to a lack of assets but thanks to her first tranche of crowdfunded investment she has a successful business with a fast growing turnover. Gem is about to go for her second round of funding to expand further into supermarkets, with her products already in over 1,000 stores!

State Opening of Parliament

A splendid day which began with sparkling English rosé and smoked salmon as we watched the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrive at the Palace of Westminster. 
Especially historic to see Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were present too. 

Once the Royal Standard was flying above Westminster we listened to the speech, then watched as the procession left Parliament once more.

Then over a special State Opening lunch in the Strangers’ dining room, featuring English venison and an excellent sparkling wine from Kent, we discussed the speech and proposed legislation. 





A group of us then went into the Gallery to hear the start of the Debate on the Queen's speech.

Manchester Launch Pop-Up Event - supported by Berg

Great John Street Hotel in Manchester was the perfect venue for our first big Pop-Up in the city. Sponsored by Berg and with lovely gifts from ESPA.

This truly eclectic hotel really pushed the boat out with our sumptuous tea in their rooftop rooms overlooking Granada TV studios.  Even the sun was shining!

First, Jill gave us a peep into her time as Serjeant at Arms in the House of Commons, and what a role that was. An historic appointment that Jill filled with professionalism and panache.

The conversation between Jill Pay and Maria McGeoghan  was totally absorbing, 

Maria shared stories of her early career in Liverpool leading up to appointment as the first female editor of Manchester Evening News. 

We soon learned that it was typically Maria that she didn’t realise this was a first until it was pointed out.

Maria’s success she places firmly down to teamwork and hardwork. She too came across as a true professional and ethics are at the heart of all she does, which was demonstrated when Maria gave evidence at the Leveson enquiry.

In her move from the work of newspapers to PR, Maria is clearly bringing her experience and ethics to her new career and enjoying life. Maria is a practical sort too, her favourite shoes are from Clarks ‘in recent years they’ve improved their styles’ but the wearability is vital to her.

And what of the future – perhaps a croft in Ireland and a book idea she’s got buzzing away. We can’t wait to read it!

After the conversation there was a great atmosphere in the room as we mingled over glasses of Champagne and swapped details of careers, new business ideas and life in general...

With huge thanks to Berg for their support, especially Alison Loveday,

 to Eclectic Hotels, to ESPA for the fabulous gifts. 

 to Maria McGeoghan & Jill Pay

 and to Beverley Reilly of Berg for all her hard work.

Entrepreneurs' Dinner Discussion at the Lanesborough

Book Launch & Reception

 A fascinating event at Ernst & Young More London, hosted by the fabulous Fleur Bothwick OBE, E&Y's EMEA Head of Inclusion. 

Author Meena Thurasingham is an organisational psychologist and shared with us some of her insights from her book ‘The Secret Life of Decisions’. 



Analysing why we as leaders often get it wrong when making a decision and demonstrating how often emotions shape the process, even when we’re convinced we’re being completely objective. 


Meena explained that the processes we use are ‘hardwired’ so that our subconscious bias can repeatedly thwart our judgement.