FL Leadership Summit & Awards 2023

Barriers LEADERSHIP SUMMIT & AWARDS 2023 The Londoner Hotel, London

forwardladies.com WHERE WOMEN THRIVE

Let’s Eat Starter Spinach, watermelon and lime with

Contents

black pepper dressing Main course

03

Running Order

04

Foreword

07

Meet Your Host

08

Meet Your Speakers

10

Business Woman Of The Year 2022

11

Hall of Fame

13

Meet Your Finalists

33

Judges

33

Sponsors

Roasted duck with spiced potatoes, clementine sauce and red cabbage infused with cinnamon and juniper Vegetarian (pre-order only) Gnocchi with cherry tomato, garlic and Parmesan Dessert Lemon Meringue Pie Shortbread biscuit, lemon curd mousse, Citrus chantilly

Running Order #BreakingBarriers

10:30 Registration and Networking

14:15

Dessert and coffee

11:30 Host’s welcome - Genelle Aldred

14:35

Bonita Norris, Mountaineer, The Girl Who Climbed Everest

11:40 AI: The End of Women in the Workplace?

Emma Byrne

14:55

Business Woman of the Year 2022 Sheridan Ash MBE

12:00 Panel Discussion: How the Next Generation

Winner announced - Business Woman of

are Breaking Barriers

the Year 2023

Dr Khadija Owens Simone Robinson

15:15

Closing remarks – Griselda Togobo

15:30

Networking and post awards drinks

Anna Gray

12:30 Lunch

Joshua’s Tavern (in The Londoner)

13:00 Winners Revealed

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Women's inclusion in all business areas is essential to modern society's safety, sustainability and progress.

We are again delighted to convene some of the best minds to explore ways to do just that whilst celebrating the achievement of women who are already breaking barriers.

Our vision at Forward Ladies has always been to create spaces and opportunities where women can thrive. We do this by showcasing role models, developing great leaders and equipping women with the tools to learn, develop and thrive.

Welcome to the 13th Annual FL Leadership Summit & Awards Lift As You Climb It’s not our words or opinions that change the world, but our actions.

We’re well into the 21st century. It's time to rethink work and what it will take to unlock women's full potential.

We've been at it for a long time, but we need to continue breaking down the barriers holding women back from fully participating and contributing at the tables where decisions are made.

#BreakingBarriers

This year's Leadership Summit and Awards contributes to these aims. As we gather, may ways in which we can help advance women become more apparent to us individually and corporately. Some have described attending this summit as a career and life-enhancing experience. For some of you, hearing the stories of our fantastic finalists and speakers will be a catalyst, a crucial first step in sparking ideas, creating connections and building the support network you need to step up into your next bold move.

I hope you leave here ready to break your personal barriers and be inspired and motivated to help others navigate and overcome theirs – because we are indeed stronger together.

We are so excited to see you here and I wish you a wonderful day.

Griselda Togobo Griselda Togobo

gt@griseldatogobo.com

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WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME “I just wanted to thank you for all the support and advise you have provided me during the WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME.I have actually got a new job – I’m so pleased to say. It just goes to show that the programme really helps you change your mindset and to just go for it!”

-Participant -

Lets chat! gt@griseldatogobo.com

Our programmes are designed to include: Sponsorship Executive coaching Learning sessions Group coaching

GENELLE ALDRED AUTHOR, BROADCASTER AND CONSULTANT

Genelle Aldred is an Author, Broadcaster and Consultant for all things communication. She is currently Deputy Chair of Women in Journalism. Genelle also provides social and political commentry for Sky News, BBC Radio London and Canadian News. She previously enjoyed a successful career as a journalist and newsreader for over 15 years. Since 2007 Genelle has worked for organisations including ITN, ITV, the BBC, ITN Productions, News UK and CBC. Other prominent roles of Genelle’s include Head of Digital Strategy for an International NGO and a Channel Manager of a Freeview TV Channel.

MEET YOUR

HOST

Genelle runs training for organisations trying to get better at tough cultural conversations and consulting on cutting-edge media, presentation and brand editorial narratives. Her book Communicate for Change: Creating Justice in a world of Bias was published in the autumn of 2021 with critical acclaim from best-selling authors Emma Gannon, Matt Haig and Dr Sophie Mort.

Genelle is an internationally sought-after public speaker and panellist as she smashes through glass ceilings as an empowering woman. She is also an Ambassador of Sands – the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death charity, raising awareness of women’s health and ending the stigma surrounding baby and infant loss. Genelle is a very keen golfer and can be found on a golf course in all her spare time.

Genelle Aldred #BreakingBarriers

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BONITA NORRIS

FORMER MOUNTAINEER, AUTHOR & MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

Bonita Norris was the youngest person ever to reach both the summit of Everest and the North Pole. She has been on five Himalayan expeditions and has reached the summit of some of the world’s highest mountains.

In 2017 her memoir, The Girl Who Climbed Everest was released, and topped the mountaineering books chart.

In her talks, she shares the rollercoaster journey of how she went from a beginner climber aged 20 to standing on the summit of Everest only two years later, aged 22. It was that journey of becoming a mountaineer that tested her to her limits, both in the mountains, and on her journey to them as a beginner climber.

Bonita Norris

EMMA BYRNE

JOURNALIST / ROBOT SCIENTIST

Emma is an honest-to-goodness robot scientist who, when she’s not developing intelligent systems, writes for Forbes, the FT and the Guardian. She frequently appears on Sky News and the BBC talking about the future of artificial intelligence and robotics.

She has spoken to audiences as diverse as the Women in Journalism network and parliamentary special interest groups on the topic of AI. Her interest in neuroscience led to her first popular science book: Swearing is Good for You: The Amazing Science of Bad Language. Her most recent book, How to Build a Human is a smart, funny, humane look at what science knows about childhood.

Emma Byrne

SHERIDAN ASH FOUNDER & CO-CEO, TECH SHE CAN

Sheridan, 2022 Forward Ladies Business Woman Of The Year, is a leader in Technology Innovation at PwC, and Founder and Co-CEO of charity Tech She Can. Sheridan set up the charity to improve career opportunities in technology for children and women. She’s a thought-leader on technological innovation and its contribution to productivity in the UKO. Sheridan Ash MBE

#BreakingBarriers

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ANNA GRAY

HEAD OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, SEVERFIELD PLC

Speakers

MEET YOUR Griselda began her career as an electrical engineer, she then veered into business having been influenced by the challenges and successes that her parents experienced as entrepreneurs. She trained and qualified as a chartered accountant with one of the BIG 4 professional services firms but now runs her own businesses, Forward Ladies included. Griselda is a mother of two beautiful children. She is extremely passionate about positively impacting the future of women and girls in the workforce.

Griselda joined Forward Ladies as a member and was hooked.

Anna Gray MCIPR

DR KHADIJA OWUSU FOUNDER, AKAYA

Dr Khadija Owusu is an award-winning Leader, International Speaker and Junior Doctor. She is the Founder of AKAYA, Director of Programmes at Melanin Medics, Equality and Diversity Board Member at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, Ambassador at GUBA-Enterprise and Trustee for the charity Raising Futures Kenya.

Khadija is a change agent, a voice for thousands of Black and Ethnic minority aspiring medics, medical students and doctors as she works to tackle issues on equality, diversity, and inclusion. She also has special interests in female empowerment and global health; impacting the lives of thousands of young girls across Ghana, Africa.

Dr Khadija Owusu

SIMONE ROBINSON SPEAKER, PUBLISHED WRITER & TOP 10 FUTURE LEADER

Simone is a dynamic speaker, published writer and thought leader committed to dismantling barriers and creating positive change in the workplace and beyond. As Global Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Manager, Simone has played a pivotal role in driving diversity initiatives within GKN Aerospace, implementing strategies that go beyond mere representation to create a culture of belonging.

Simone’s ability to connect with audiences on both an intellectual and emotional level is just one of the many reasons she was voted as a Top 10 Future Leader.

Simone Robinson #BreakingBarriers

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SHERIDAN ASH FOUNDER & CO-CEO OF TECH SHE CAN

“I feel really overwhelmed with the fact that I won two Awards. I was so shocked to win the social impact award and then just completely shocked that I also won this wonderful top prize of Business Woman of the Year.

MEET THE

BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2022

I've always put other people up for awards and I'm usually a judge. I've actually never won an individual award before so for me, this is just incredible to be recognized in this way by such an incredible Community.

Thank you to all my teams as well, because nobody wins an award like this on their own, thank you.”

I believe it is essential to promote yourself. I didn’t do this for a very long time; I thought people would recognize what I do if I worked hard. People will know I was working hard.

They don’t, so you have to get better at promoting yourself

Sheridan Ash MBE

#BreakingBarriers

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BUSINESS WOMEN OF THE YEAR

LARA OYESANYA

HALL OF FAME LOUISE HARDY

GROUP GENERAL COUNSEL, WORLDREMIT

2018

CHARTERED CIVIL ENGINEER

2021

Lara Oyesanya FRSA

Louise Hardy is a civil engineer who delivered some nationally significant infrastructure projects. She now has a portfolio of non- executive director positions on FTSE and public sector boards, encompassing housebuilding, mining and manufacturing sectors; including Polypipe Group Ltd - one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of products for the construction industry.

Louise Hardy

Lara Oyesanya an experienced solicitor with a demonstrated history of working in Fintech, the financial services sector that is skilled in regulatory, payments, enterprise risk management, consumer protection, small medium enterprise, offshore, and commercial banking.

SUSANNA LAWSON FOUNDER, ONEFILE

2017

Susanna Lawson worked in the health and social care sector and witnessed huge inefficiencies in the training delivery models which drove her to develop OneFile, the leading e-portfolio software in the education sector.

Susanna Lawson DipIoD

ALEX DEPLEDGE FOUNDER, RESI

2019

She started Resi, a groundbreaking online architectural service that is revolutionizing how Britons renovate.

Alexandra Depledge, MBE

#BreakingBarriers

JAN FLAWN

Alex Depledge is one of the leading female lights in the UK tech scene. An innovative, principled and inspiring businesswoman, she co-founded the pioneering Hassle.com, which sold for £27 million in 2015.

PJ CARE

2016

Jan set up PJ Care based on her commitment to provide specialised, high-quality care to vulnerable residents with complex needs. Her decision to step away from nursing to become an entrepreneur was so that she could offer the best care possible.

Jan Flawn CBE, M.Univ

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TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER

OF THE YEAR

NICOLA MILLWARD

Millward Consulting Engineers

GILLIAN LAMELA JPMorgan Chase & Co

HENA NARANBHAI Barclays

SAMANTHA BROOK Severfield Plc

ANN HARDING HAE UK

POONAM KAUR

fds Director Services Limited

EMMA WRIGHT

Harbottle & Lewis, Playfinder

NAOMI BEGUM-INGLIS Accenture

SPONSORED BY:

#BreakingBarriers

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EMERGING LEADER OF THE YEAR

FARZANA NAZ

Saracens Solicitors

DARIA PRESTON

Bank of England

KASIA WOJCIECHOWSKA Peregrine (ex Capita)

CHERYL RAZZELL

Amazon Web Services

AASHI SAHU

MARIA ROSA TORRES SEJIN

Bots For That

Bank of England

SHYAMINI WERAPITIYA YULIA MANYUTINA IFS

RBS International

LUCY HODGES

JEMMA DEVENISH IFS

NatWest

LINA SCALZO NFP

SPONSORED BY: #BreakingBarriers

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RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

AKUA OPONG

SHANOIFE WILSON

ELEANOR BEAUMONT

CATHERINE WRIGHT

LSEG

PEGS

#BreakingBarriers

NFP

HSBC

DAMINI TAILOR BAE Systems Digital Intelligence

HABIBA LAIS

Nuclear AMRC (Sheffield University)

POLLY PRICE Axiologik

OLIVIA KLINE IFS

SAMRUDHI INAMDAR ALTEN LTD, UK

DAISY BURGUN

Pooky Lighting Ltd

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STEM LEADER OF THE YEAR

ANNA NICHOLL PA Consulting

RACHAEL FOX

Yorkshire Water

CAROL MARSH Celestia UK

REBECCA SMITH Severfield UK

HANNAH THOMPSON

LINDSEY SILLS

Corporate Risk Associates

Barratt Developments plc

SUE PARTRIDGE

DEBORAH O'NEILL

Airbus UK

Oliver Wyman

SPONSORED BY:

#BreakingBarriers

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WOMEN ON BOARDS

TRACY FLETCHER

Campbell & Fletcher Ltd

TRUSHA LAKHANI

Great Business Matters Ltd T/A Trusha Lakhani

VINETA BAJAJ Rohlik Group

LOUISE HARDY Severfield Plc

The impact of the awards has been huge. This achievement has shone a spotlight on my career and inspired others. More importantly, the awards have enabled me to promote women’s causes and to encourage women to consider all possibilities.

-Lara Oyesanya, WorldRemit

#BreakingBarriers

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INSPIRING MENTOR OF THE YEAR

ANDREA UBHI

Andrea Ubhi Dentistry

KAREN CAIRNEY Cairney & Company

#BreakingBarriers

JENNY GARRETT OBE

JReflexion Associates Limited t/a Jenny Garrett Global

SHAA WASMUND SW Media

KATIE GEDDES

The Dance Studio Leeds

HANNAH ROBERTS

Breakthrough Talent & Skills Limited

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EDUCATION / ACADEMIC LEADER OF THE YEAR

LEIGH HOATH

YOSELIN BENITEZ-ALFONSO

Leeds Trinity University

University of Leeds/ Black in Plant Sciences

REHAM BADAWY

REBECCA PADGETT

University of Birmingham

#BreakingBarriers

University of Leeds

YULIANA TOPAZLY University of the Bahamas

SYRA SHAKIR

Leeds Trinity University

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SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE YEAR

JENNY HOLLOWAY Fashion Enter

JANE KENYON Girls Out Loud

#BreakingBarriers

SAMANTHA EVERARD SAMEE

ANNETTTE JOSEPH MBE Diverse & Equal

ANJI MILLER

JANE KNIGHT

LifeArc

Successful Mums Career Academy

NADIRA HUSSAIN

SABRINA DENNIS

Socitm

First Class Foundation

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PUBLIC / THIRD SECTOR LEADER OF THE YEAR

JULIE HAMMOND

NHS & Dr Hammond Aesthetics

DONNA KELLY

USHA KONG

Tower Hamlets Council

#BreakingBarriers

PATRICE BAPTISTE

London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

VICTORIA COPE

Ministry of Defence

NHS

URVASHI PARASHAR

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

BAMIDELE FARINRE

Whittington Health NHS Trust

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START UP

OF THE YEAR

DEBBIE PORTER

Destination Digital Marketing Ltd

VICTORIA JANE SIMPSON vcare24

#BreakingBarriers

EMMA ARMSTRONG Empro Business Group Ltd

TALISA GILL

10X Marketing

This is what is so incredible about the FL network. We build each other up. There are so many people in this world who will knock us down and hope that we fail. Here is this network; it is completely opposite. We are happy and proud of each other's achievements.

-Susanna Lawson, Onefile

ALISON ETTRIDGE Stratigens

SPONSORED BY:

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FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR

OF THE YEAR

YANA LAPITSKAYA

Yay!Starter Marketing Ltd

KIMBERLEY KONG N Legal

#BreakingBarriers

JULIANNE PONAN MBE

JEANETTE FORBES OBE

Creative Nature

PCL Group Limited

JESSICA GWARINGA

SARAH HARAN

Moonrise 24hr Recruitment

Sarah Haran

EMMA BLACK

Cascade Cash Management

RAZAN ALSOUS

Yorkshire Dama Cheese

TONI ANNE DUNLEAVY Nest.co.uk Ltd

CAROLINE CARRUTHERS Carruthers and Jackson

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DISRUPTOR/INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

TAMMA CAREL

ICOR Systems Ltd

JOANNA HASLAM Snap Finger Click

ANGIE MADARA Athena FundX

CLAIRE PAXMAN

VASSILIKI SOMARAKI

Paxman Scalp Cooling

V&V Health Innovations.Ltd

"You have created something so special with forwardladies.com. A community that inspires, supports and encourages and learns from each other. I was nominated by the most fabulous Dr Leigh Hoath in 2019 AND I won. It gave me the confidence to make some bold moves in my career, and I have not looked back. Thank you !"

-Julianne Antrobus - Global Head of Nuclear, PA Consulting Group, STEM Leader - Awards Winner

#BreakingBarriers

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YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

PETRA SALARIĆ pstaboo

MEGAN SCADDAN

The Nottingham Doughnut Co LTD (Doughnotts)

LARA STALLBAUM

Twirl Technologies Ltd

#BreakingBarriers

LANI NGUYEN

Alstern Solicitors Ltd

LAKECHIA JEANNE Girls in Science

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The Goal Achiever Planner (GAP) is a complete life, personal and professional system designed to help you live and achieve big purposeful and audacious goals This planner was created by women – for women and men who want to integrate work and life goals seamlessly The planner is non-dated, so you can pick up and start working on your goals at any time of the year

To purchase your GAP, visit www.goalachieverplanner.com **Free Postage On All Orders** (UK orders only) @goalachieverplanner

@ForwardLadies

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BE UNSTOPPABLE I AM UNSTOPPABLE Available now on amazon

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU

TO OUR JUDGES

LISA KELLY HEAD OF BTC UK & IRELAND BTC CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION

BILL HENRY

MATT TURNER

INDEPENDENT EXECUTIVE COACH

CEO, ELLO GROUP

SHERIDAN ASH MBE FOUNDER & CO-CEO, TECH SHE CAN

DEBRA WHITE

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR HSBC (RETIRED)

CLARE DAVENPORT-JACKSON

RACHEL HANNAN

RICHELLE SCHUSTER

EMMA DAVIES

JULIANNE ANTROBUS

HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS & RESEARCH, OPEN UNIVERSITY

ANGEL INVESTOR

HEAD OF INNOVATION LEEDS CITY COUNCIL

PARTNER GRANT THORNTON

PARTNER, GLOBAL HEAD NUCLEAR AT PA CONSULTING

LARA OYESANYA

PROFESSOR GEORGE LODORFOS

GROUP GENERAL COUNSEL, COMPANY SECRETARY, AND CSUITE EXECUTIVE WORLDREMIT

#BreakingBarriers

DEAN OF LEEDS BUSINESS SCHOOL LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY

GILLIAN HOSIER

AJAZ AHMED

HANNAH DURAID

HEAD OF PHILANTHROPY, THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

FOUNDER FREESERVE

MANAGING DIRECTOR THE GREAT ESCAPE GAME

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU

TO OUR SPONSORS

CHARITY PARTNERS

SUPPORTERS

We would like to say a big thank you to all of our sponsors and partners - today’s event would not have been possible without them.

#BreakingBarriers

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STRESS-BUSTING WALK. “It was wonderful! I'm still buzzing from it and can't wait for the next one.”- Dr Xina Gooding Broderick PhD FInstLM, Founder, Mother of Abundance.

Next we are planning a walk plus retreat on the 26/27th January 2024. Limited spaces

❤️

#BreakingBarriers

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FL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT & AWARDS

2024 FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER

SAVE THE DATE

www.forwardladies.com

@ForwardLadies

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