World Business Women

UK and international colleagues met to discuss the exciting outcomes from the first #WBWDay and agree plans for 2021 and the WBW Caucus meetings which will happen on the 2nd Tuesday of every second month, beginning in February.

After a wide-ranging discussion, it was agreed that the first WBW Caucus will focus on Technology, with subsequent spring Caucus meetings concentrating on Education and the Creative Industries. 

Delegates were asked to share their thoughts via a mentimetre poll on the business outlook for 2021 and it was encouraging to see that many are optimistic, despite current challenges. The key to future activities continues to be collaboration, opportunity and inclusion, which are at the heart of SAVVITAS.

Winter Soirée

 Ambassadors celebrated at a very different Winter Soirée this year, with the theme of Hollywood / Bollywood it was a fabulous occasion for which to dress up and glamour was the order of the day!

Lots of interesting conversation over bubbles of various kinds, then we enjoyed a quiz on inspiring women, from history to the present day, followed by an award for the most interesting attire judged by Deputy Senate Chairman Susan Greenwood. Many Congratulations to our winner Brenda King MBE! 

It was a fun event and excellent start to the festivities.

NatWest Everywoman Awards

Each year the NatWest everywoman Awards herald the start of the festive season and this year was no exception. 

With a polished, professional and engaging online event hosted by everywoman, we were inspired to hear from all the incredible award nominees and winners, highlighting the extraordinary success of female founders of all ages and sectors across the UK.

It was also a wonderful opportunity to remind ourselves of past events!

Enterprise Award for Helene Martin Gee at #GEW2020

The inaugural Awards of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Inclusive Entrepreneurship were a glittering affair, despite being held on Zoom rather than the Palace of Westminster. Hosted by the group's Chair, Dr Lisa Cameron MP along with Jacqueline Winstanley, the driving force behind the group as a key part of its Global Entrepreneurship Week activities. 

After inspiring words of welcome we enjoyed a showcase video from a the wide range of talented and successful entrepreneurs, accompanied by music from the highly talented James Holt. 

Then the Awards were presented, including to Ambassador member Lady Sharon, owner of the wonderful 'Glam Sticks' company.

 Our founder Helene Martin Gee was recognised for her outstanding contribution to women's enterprise with a much-deserved Award presented by Dr Cameron.

Savvitas founder Helene Martin Gee joins #GEWUK2020 Wrap-Up

The final session of the highly successful #GEWUK2020 was a panel discussion chaired by GEN UK lead Elaine Gold and including our founder Helene Martin Gee. Following an engaging and passionate keynote from Lord Bilimoria, the panel reflected on the wide variety of activities during the week, clearly very different this year with everything taking place online including our own White Paper launch. 

GEW2020 was however judged to be a big hit, and as Helene remarked, it actually made for a more inclusive and collaborative week. The panel shared some of their personal highlights and considered ideas for 2021.

                          

Launch of the Economic Blueprint White Paper

As longstanding partners of Global Entrepreneurship Week, we were thrilled to launch the Savvitas NatWest White Paper. 'Leveraging Opportunity for UK Female Entrepreneurs' as part of the week's activities.

The culmination of a national roadshow supported by NatWest, recommendations in the White Paper come direct from more than 400 of the nation's women business owners.