Team EB Previews Know & Grow Software

As part of its activities to create the first UK Economic Blueprint for Women, Team EB presented its ground-breaking interactive software programme for female entrepreneurs at the House of Lords. 

Know & Grow has been developed by a dynamic team of female business owners and professionals working with students and academics from Middlesex University. It is part of the wider Economic Blueprint initiative spearheaded by Pink Shoe which aims to have a major impact on women’s contribution to the economy.

Ambassadors' Spring Luncheon

Pink Shoe Ambassadors shared stimulating conversation at the latest quarterly luncheon. The spring lunch was (as always) over-subscribed and members made the most of a wonderful afternoon. 

Starting with bubbles we all enjoyed the delicious food, from smoked salmon to corn-fed chicken, followed by an array of amazing puddings and ending with coffee and petit fours. We passed our sincere thanks to the top notch chef and were very well looked after with excellent service.

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BoardAble Programme Spring 2018

The first session of the Spring BoardAble programme took place in Westminster with a very strong cohort. Delegates were challenged with an intense session and all proved more than capable of succeeeding, ably delivering the required outcomes.



















After the seminar delegates were joined by Pink Shoe Ambassadors for well-deserved Aperitivo drinks and networking.

Pink Shoe Senate

Jill Pay, Chairman of the Pink Shoe Senate chaired the first Senate meeting of the year and welcomed two new Senators whom we are sure will make a great contribution to the strategic growth and international outlook of Pink Shoe - Fiona Capstick, Associate Director at EY; and Laura Cordingley (nee Brown) from the Mayor's Office, who is shortly moving to take up the post of CEO at 'Chance to Shine' the MCC charity. 

They were joined by longstanding Senators Sue Lawton MBE, international womens' champion and a valued supporter of Pink Shoe; along with Elizabeth Crowther Hunt chairman of the Westminster Business Council; and Pink Shoe founder Helene Martin Gee.

After a highly productive meeting, in true Pink Shoe style we adjourned for a glass of Champagne.

Annual IWD Lecture at the House of Commons

Pink Shoe Ambassadors attended the annual IWD Lecture at the House of Commons. 

Helen Pankhurst, great-granddaughter of Emmeline and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst gave an inspiring introduction. 

International development and women’s activist, author and adviser to CARE International, Helen spoke about her new book ‘Deeds not Words’ in which she writes the story of about women’s rights to mark the centenary of women’s suffrage.

Harriet Harman delivered the lecture, entitled ‘A Women's Work' she reflected on her time as a woman in Parliament and how the experience has changed since she was first elected in 1982 – with an increasin numbers of female MPs across all parties. 



Harriet also considered the pros and cons of all-women shortlists and their impact on female participation in politics.

IWD Afternoon Tea

In what has become an annual tradition, Pink Shoe Ambassadors were hosted by Lorely -Baroness Burt - at the House of Lords in honour of International Women's Day 2018. 

Lorely talked to us about her support of Karma Nirvana; founded by Jasvinder Sanghera CBE the charity is doing vital work to support potential victims of forced marriage and honour-based abuse. 

We all bought spoon badges, which signify the very practical step that girls can take to prevent having to get married against their will. See: https://www.karmanirvana.org.uk/

This year's IWD theme of #PressforProgress was the basis of our roundtable conversations as we explored how Pink Shoe is supporting and encouraging women through its wide range of activities and what more we can do in the future.