BoardAble Spring Cohort

The Spring 2019 BoardAble cohort got off to an excellent start with the first seminar. The group of eight senior women achieved a place on the programme from a very strong field and are an enthusiastic and inspiring group. 

After a challenging afternoon, delegates, programme leaders and session observers were joined by Pink Shoe Ambassadors and BoardAble alumnae for drinks and networking.

EB Roadshow Liverpool

The latest stop of the national EB Roadshow was Liverpool. 

Supported by NatWest we were joined by leading female entrepreneurs and business owners from across the region to share ideas for the EB White Paper we'll publish later this year.

Our founder Helene Martin Gee opened the afternoon and we then heard from local entrepreneur Sara McKee, founder of Evermore, about her innovative business that aims to create centres for elderly people to live in communities that embrace all aspects of life in an holistic and enjoyable way. Sara was refreshingly honest about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Her passion for Evermore and determination to succeed was truly inspiring.

Heather Waters then warmly welcomed delegates on behalf of NatWest and outlined the many innovative activities the bank offers to women in business. Jill Pay then updated us on the progress of the UK Economic Blueprint for Women across the country.

Each group discussed a different topic and the roundtables were chaired by leading business women from the region. 
Better backing for female business – Alison Loveday - Partner, Kennedy’s

Innovation rules! – Angela Moretta – Relationship Director Commercial Banking, NatWest

Securing the talent to scale – Ruth Kirby – Senior Relationship Manager Commercial Banking, NatWest

Business for good is good for business – Jacqueline Winstanley – Founder & CEO, Universal Inclusion

Barriers or opportunities? – Maggie O’Carroll – Chief Executive, the Women’s Organisation.

Each group came up with 3 key ideas for inclusion in the White Paper and we heard initial comments from an expert panel of Heather Waters, Sara McKee and Vanda Green. See the ideas here: EB Roadshow Liverpool Outputs

Afterwork at Expedia with our friends from WIL

Pink Shoe Ambassadors joined members of WIL (European Women in Leadership) at the Angel offices of Expedia for a networking evening.








We began with a fascinating conversation between WIL President Thaima Samman and Ariane Gorin, President of Expedia Partner Solutions and an alumna of the WIL Talent Programme. 

See the report of the event here: 
WIL London Afterwork

Empowering Women through Financial Inclusion

We were delighted to host an event for Shanti Life, a UK based charity created by Pink Shoe founder Ambassador Sheetal Mehta Walsh. Shanti works with women in India to provide micro business loans.

 After a welcome from our host Baroness Jenkin, Helene Martin Gee welcomed guests and introduced Sheetal, who inspired everyone with her passion for the work on Shanti and the difference it is making to the lives of the women. 

Then followed a short film highlighting the work of the charity and a lively discussion chaired by Pablo-Sat Bhambraof BBC Asian Network, along with Sheetal and Helene and excellent panellists Anna Sofat, Founder of Addidi Wealth and Yvonne Greeves, Head of Women in Business at NatWest RBS.

Beanstalk Charity Lunch

Pink Shoe hosted another successful lunch with its charity partner Beanstalk. Director Annie Williams outlined the charity’s vital work in providing one-to-one literacy support to children aged 3-13.









Guest of Honour Baroness Jenkins spoke enthusiastically about Beanstalk and how its work can be literally life-changing for the children. 

Beanstalk’s trained reading helpers give children the support they need to improve their reading ability and confidence. Annie explained that not only is financial support essential, they need to recruit and train volunteers. Being a reader helper not only changes lives but is incredibly rewarding and enjoyable.

To find out about more about Beanstalk and/or becoming a reader helper, please see: Beanstalk

BoardAble Seminar

It was a packed room of exceptional talent for the latest BoardAble seminar on Public Appointments, NED and Board roles. 

Firstly, Helene Martin Gee outlined the extensive range of roles available for public bodies and how to package the transferable skills of senior leaders in other sectors when applying for a public appointment.

BoardAble Patron Sarah Anderson CBE then talked us through the recruitment cycle for public appointments. How to ensure a relevant supporting statement and the importance of focusing on key career achievements that match the scope of the role.

Programme Director Vanda Green explained the process of joining the full BoardAble programme - the next course begins in February and there are two programmes each year. Helene Martin Gee added that due to high demand Pink Shoe is also considering setting up a BoardAble Summer School.

After the roundtable delegates enjoyed informal networking. 

AWA 20th Anniversary Launch at Coutts

Pink Shoe Ambassadors were thrilled to be invited by Yvonne Greeves of NatWest for the launch of the 20th annual Asian Women of Achievement Awards at Coutts Garden Court. 

It was especially exciting to discover that Yvonne is now Head of Women in Business at NatWest and RBS, excellent news and a very well deserved promotion.

Warmly welcomed by the MD of Coutts we heard something of the history of the bank and about the inspirational Angela Burdett Coutts. 

Then there were more inspiring speakers, including NatWest's Julie Baker and the indefatigable Pinky Lilani, AWA founder then a powerful talk about the positive impact AWA has had on her career from Sevasti Wong Global Comms Media and Tech MD at Accenture.