Public Appointments Reception at Admiralty House

The Cabinet Office is holding a series of Receptions hosted by The Rt Hon Francis Maude. The aim is to encourage more women into Public Appointments. From its aspirational aim of achieving parity, ie 50%, the Minister was delighted to tell us that almost 40% of Public Appointments are now held by women.

Pink Shoe Club was able to take the first Shadowing Scheme cohort of women to the latest event, along with Programme Director Vanda Green. 

This reception focused on appointments with the NHS. It was an excellent opportunity for the Pink Shoe Cohort to meet women already holding senior appointments to gain greater insight into the roles available and what is needed to take up a post. 

Aperitivo at Parliament Street

By popular demand we have revitalised our intimate ‘Aperitivo’ informal drinks. These select gatherings of members who are invited by ballot enable smaller groups to connect in greater depth and make a change from the larger PSC events. 

For the latest Aperitivo we were back at one of our favourite spots in Parliament Street. Along with the Pink Shoe Senate Chairman and several of the Senators, were Trustees from the Pink Shoe Foundation. We welcomed new members and were reacquainted with some familiar faces.

International Women’s Day Lecture at House of Commons

It was standing-room only in the Attlee Suite when Dr Paula Bartley gave a vibrant talk to commemorate International Women's Day ‘The Mighty Atom: Ellen Wilkinson MP and Parliamentary Politics 1924-1947. 

We gained a fascinating insight into this dynamic and feisty Parliamentarian, whom Paula brought to life with her witty and vivid descriptions. A contemporary of Nancy Aster, Ellen Wilkinson was a true leader.

Known as ‘Red Ellen’ due to her red hair, she was a founding member of the UK communist party and first female trades union leader before becoming Labour MP for Middlesborough in 1924. After a period away from the House, Ellen re-entered in 1935 as MP for Jarrow, and organized the legendary ‘Jarrow March’. A pioneering politician, as first ever female Minister for Education amongst many achievements she ushered in the 1944 Education Act. 

Parliament is keen to make more of this historic figure and is actively seeking portraits of Ellen Wilkinson for its collection.

During the evening, guests also had an opportunity to meet young women from the Leeds East school academies, along with emerging entrepreneurs and business women from Yorkshire. 

As an additional part of Parliament's IWD celebrations, there was an exhibition in Portcullis House ‘Connecting Girls – Inspiring Futures – Portraits and stories from Yorkshire’ the excellent photographs by Johanna Hilton & Nick Gregan featured young Yorkshire women.

Following the talk and exhibition, Pink Shoe members and guests enjoyed an ‘Aperitivo’ of prosescco and cheese in the Atrium.

Better Made in Britain Debate

At the House of Lords, a round table was held in partnership with All-Party Parliamentary Group for Entrepreneurship in partnership with the All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group

It highlighted the importance of manufacturing in driving forward the UK economy. Focusing on two recent major reports on the sector.

After a warm welcome from the Earl of Erroll, we heard key findings of the APMG’s ‘Making Good’ report into the culture and competitiveness of UK manufacturing.

Then Lee Hopley, Chief Economist of EEF The Manufacturers’ Association presented outcomes from the recent EEF report ‘Backing Britain - a manufacturing base for the future’.

Delegates then heard an inspiring story of successful UK Manufacturing from the charismatic Barry Laden MBE, CEO of East End Manufacturing.

Following the first class presentations, Sue Lawton, International Adviser to WEConnect and to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women & Enterprise, chaired an interactive discussion.

We heard from the highly engaging Professor Mark Hart of the Enterprise Research Centre and Dr John Potter of JP Global, who gave a viewpoint from the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group. After a lively debate, Sue deftly summed up the discussion and Jill Pay gave thanks to each of the excellent contributors for their informative and fascinating talks.

A full report of the event is being circulated to Parliamentarians by the APMG and is available upon request to: hello@pinkshoeclub.com 

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!