Women in Public Life

The Women in Public Life Shadowing Scheme has recruited its first cohort for the pilot programme. From a very strong field 5 candidates were selected to shadow inspiring women already holding senior public appointments. The cohort met at Westminster to discover exactly what is involved, be assigned to a 'Shadow Principal' and meet their colleagues. 




Programme Director Vanda Green and PSF Trustee Una McBride joined Pink Shoe Founder Helene Martin Gee to welcome the first group. (L-R: Vanda Green, Tracey Bleakley, Bronwen Horton, Helene Martin Gee, Claire Viney, Helen Carter, Veronica Broomes, Una McBride.

Created by Helene and Vanda, the programme is being delivered by the Pink Shoe Foundation. The foundation has received valuable support from each of the Shadow Principals, especially Sarah Anderson CBE,  as well as from the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments. 

So impressive were all the candidates and so high the demand for places that Pink Shoe Foundation is already planning further shadowing programmes. It is also running a series of workshops to expand the talent pipeline.

Pink Shoe Ambassadors in Action

 (Image by Roger Harris Photography)

Chairman of the Pink Shoe Senate and founder Ambassador Jill Pay was honoured to be presented to HM Queen Elizabeth II at the Palace of Westminster. Her Majesty was visiting Parliament to view the Elizabeth Window, commissioned to commemorate the Golden Jubilee and recently installed in Westminster Hall. Overseeing the project was part of Jill’s work when she was Serjeant at Arms in the House of Commons.

PSC Founder Helene Martin Gee along with some of our members were able to watch Her Majesty arrive and were naturally delighted to see the Queen was wearing pink!             

Pink Shoe Ambassador Ishreen Bradley is founder of BizAs Coaching & Consulting which is actively involved in helping emerging business owners, especially women. 

As part of her excellent work in this area Ishreen hosts events and activities to support entrepreneurs and business owners. 

We are delighted to hear that Ishreen has now been Admitted as a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Marketors, at a dinner and ceremony at the Fishmongers' Hall.

Many congratulations to Ishreen!

Eat Well Stay Slim Seminar

This highly popular Healthy Living seminar gave members and guests an insight into exactly what to eat for tip top health. 

Led by health writer and food futurologist Lyndon Gee, along with Sandra Roycroft-Davis, founder of ThinkingSlimmer.com, and award-winning journalist Jan Fairfax. 

Lyndon gave a fascinating talk on food and health, explaining that it’s not what we give up that makes a difference to a healthy diet but rather what we add, such as incorporating beans & pulses into our diet

He said that given dieting is a multi-billion industry at a time when the average Brit is a stone heavier than in the 1980s it is clear diets don’t work. Lyndon gave us lots of quick tips for eating more healthily, such as using a shopping list and sticking to it! He also talked through some of his great-tasting recipes and the positive benefits of eating and enjoying good food.

Sandra reported that Thinking Slimmer is currently engaged in clinical trials. So far, success levels are exceeding expectations with people not only losing weight but also gaining healthier lives – including a number of diabetics who have gone into remission. This is an exciting breakthrough and we look forward to hearing more when the trials end later this year.

Jan  then gave us an insight into the research behind many of the food stories and health scares that abound. She cautioned us to look behind the story and discover who has conducted the research, as this can often influence outcomes.

Lyndon’s Health & Fitness magbook Eat Well Stay Slim’ was presented to each guest and Sian Lewis who wrote the nutrition info for the book was at the event to provide top nutrition tips, along with H&F Editor Mary Comber.

We then enjoyed sparkling wine and lots of Lyndon’s super healthy highly yummy food!

FSB Policy Conference

The Federation of Small Businesses hosted its conference 'Small Business and Government:delivering enterprise, growth and skills'. 

FSB members from throughout the UK met with thought leaders and policy makers at One Great George Street to debate the role small business and Government should play in developing enterprise policy.

The keynote speech from Prime Minister David Cameron covered areas of keen interest to small businesses. For example, pledging to reduce red tape with a practical 'one rule in: 2 rules out' policy which was very well received.

Most importantly, the PM was clearly open to hearing ideas and suggestions from business owners themselves on what is needed. 

Other speakers included former head of the US Small Business Administration and the Shadow Business Secretary.

During lunch the Chancellor George Osborne confirmed Government's willingness to listen to small business.

Smart Cities

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Entrepreneurship hosted a delegation from Espoo, Finland along with Genesys Networks, for a debate and sharing of ideas on ‘Smart Cities’. 

Guests were welcomed by Lord Ahmed, then delegates heard from Dr John Potter and Nick Coutts, Chairman of Genesys.

International Biannual with WIL and Global WIN

At the House of Commons Attlee Suite, the WIL Biannual event was opened by PSC Founder Helene Martin Gee and Thaima Samman founder of WIL; then we heard from Helen Milby of GlobalWIN, welcoming over 100 international businesswomen and men.

The keynote speeches were given by Mary Macleod MP and US Commissioner Julie Brill.

The conference topic was ‘How to determine a company’s true value’. Full outcomes from the high powered discussions are being circulated.

During this amazing day we heard from some fascinating speakers, including: Pierre-Yves Cros, Chief Development Officer Capgemini; Laurence Capron, INSEAD Strategy Professor; Brigitte Dumont, Chief Officer, Group CSR Orange;  Paulina Dejmek-Hack, Cabinet Commissioner at the European Commission.

After an energizing morning of panel debate, we moved to the House of Lords for lunch hosted by Baroness Jenkin. 

This gave us the opportunity to mix with other delegates, gaining insights from the influential businesswomen, thought leaders and high ranking politicians from across the EU and US. 


Then it was back to the House of Commons for the next panel debate and some roundtable discussion on SMEs, brilliantly chaired by multi award-winning entrepreneur Katherine Corich of Sysdoc. 

At 4pm the event was eloquently closed by PSC Senate Chairman Jill Pay, before delegates were given guided tours of the Palace of Westminster.

Women's Talent Pool & Skype Reception

Women in leadership (WIL) held its Biannual meeting at Westminster in partnership with Pink Shoe Club and Washington’s Global WIN. Over two packed days in London, we joined with international delegates from across the EU and USA.

On Thursday afternoon the conference began with a great session on the ‘Women’s Talent Pool’ in House of Lords Committee Room 1. After a warm welcome from Baroness Howells of St David’s, we heard from WTP creator Elena Bonfiglioli, Senior Director Health EMEA, Microsoft. 

The inspiring speakers included Julie Brill, US Federal Trade Commissioner and prominent Author Avivah Wittenberg Cox. Then the first WTP cohort, having completed their year on the programme, reported on their experiences and welcomed the second intake for the 2014 Talent Pool.

 

Thanks to Global WIN, an evening reception was then held at Skype’s London HQ. Delegates were joined by business leaders including many Pink Shoe members.











With a keynote speech from Joanna Shields, CEO of Tech City.