4 Upfront: The top international news stories involving women in business
10 In the Right Direction: Good news stories from around the world
Features
8 The Alex Bailey Column
Do you have a big enough web of support?
12 The City Girl Column
What Pippa Moyle discovered about herself after taking a rest
16 King’s Birthday Honours List
Stand-out businesswomen lead the way in the latest honours
18 Decision-making
Mary Taylor discusses the similarity between making decisions in business versus prison hostage negotiations
20 Spotlight
Focusing on two women who should be acknowledged more than they currently are
PLATINUM MEDIA
NEW COLUMNIST
Laura Hearn
Laura is a former BBC journalist, now storytelling consultant and founder of Flip It - a podcast and platform helping people and businesses use storytelling as a tool for clarity, connection and change.
26 Protecting every future
New guide promotes stronger protections in the workplace for pregnant women facing abuse
Business
6 Kreston Reeves
Business must do more to support female founders
22 Foreign investment
South East England currently ranks highly for foreign developement investment
24 AI
Sara Daw, CEO of The CFO Centre believes AI won’t replace CFOs
Wellbeing
30 Women’s health
The unaccaptable decline in women’s health provisions
The year, based on current rate of increase, before parity of men and women in senior management is achieved globally
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
32 Understanding hyperpogmentation
... and a list of products that work
Further Reading
34 Communication
Charlene Otter is the author of ‘We Need New Leaders’, plus four more books on communication reviews
Art Scene
36 ‘A Riot of Colour’ – Kellie Miller discusses the works of Moria Hazel
Travel
38 Tess de Klerk relaxes at Pennyhill Hotel & Spa, near Bagshot
Fine Dining
40 ‘A sizzling taste of Argentina’: Bife, Haywards Heath
What’s On
42 A brief snapshot of art and culture across Sussex and Surrey
EDITOR’S NOTE
Welcome to the July edition of Dynamic.
We are delighted to introduce our newest columnist - Laura Hearn. After a stellar career as a BBC journalist, Laura founded Flip It, a podcast and platform dedicated to helping businesses and individuals harness the power of storytelling for greater clarity, connection and transformation. Her column will delve into how the core principles of great journalism can drive business success.
Alison Jones from Kreston Reeves lays bare the challenges women often face when the need for raising capital arises. She suggests ways to tackle the issues as well as sharing great advice for any founder. Alex Bailey focusses on the need and value of a robust support system while Pippa Moyle reminds us of the necessity of self-care in the form of true rest.
Our features cover a wide range of topics - you’ll read of the ranking of the South East in foreign direct investment to the Protecting Every Future initiative which introduces a new guide to promote better protections in the workplace for pregnant women.
In our regular sections, read my review of Pennyhill Hotel and Spa in Travel, marvel at the colourful canvasses in Art, and find great days out in What’s On.
We hope that you enjoy this month’s Dynamic Magazine.
HEAD OF DESIGN / SUB EDITOR: Alan Wares alan@platinummediagroup.co.uk
NOKIA BOSS STEPS DOWN
Electronics giant, Nokia, has announced that its Chief People Officer, Lorna Gibb, has decided to leave the company and step down from its Group Leadership Team to pursue another opportunity. A recruitment process has begun for her successor.
Lorna joined Nokia in 2020 and has been the Chief People Officer and a member of the Group Leadership Team since June 2024. She has been responsible for evolving Nokia’s people strategy and driving forward its talent and leadership programmes.
Esa Niinimäki, Chief Legal Officer, will assume Lorna’s responsibilities in the interim period as the search commences.
HEALTH ACTIVIST JEAN ROBINSON DIES
Described as “a troublemaker of the very best kind”, the health activist Jean Robinson has died aged 95. She championed the rights of patients, pregnant women and disadvantaged people for more than 50 years.
Robinson’s activist career took off in 1966, when, living in Oxford and looking after her young son, she was invited to become a lay member of the regional health board. She was not prepared to be a rubber stamp appointment. It is said the board statistician nearly fell off his chair when “the token housewife” came to his office with detailed questions about perinatal mortality rates.
PRINCE PRAISES RANGER WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD
Prince William is hailing an all-women group of wildlife warriors working in the Amazon rainforests. The women, who help protect the natural habitats in a part of Brazil’s vast forests, are the latest heroes he is highlighting in a series of new films. ‘Guardians’ shines a spotlight on the often perilous work and lives of wildlife protectors around the world. Like the other five films, Prince William introduces the film on BBC Earth’s YouTube channel. He says the Caru indigenous land, where the Guerreiras da Floresta (‘Forest Warriors’), are from, “is under increasing threat from criminal gangs engaged in illegal logging, poaching, wildfires and the constant demand for natural resources.”
UPFRONT
THE LATEST BULLETINS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
VELVET EXPANDS INTO MENSWEAR
“Do the best you can in every task, no matter how unimportant it may seem at the time. No one learns more about a problem than the person at the bottom.”
– Sandra Day O’Connor, first woman appointed to the US Supreme Court
Award-winning independent destination store Velvet in Hove has undergone a dramatic transformation, doubling in size and unveiling a brand-new menswear range on the lower floor—alongside an expanded selection of their signature, carefully curated womenswear. The project was a long-held dream of founder Emma Draper, who had envisioned the
expansion for over five years. After a year of planning and four months of major building work, the new floor officially opened in the Spring. To mark the occasion, Velvet threw a launch party to celebrate the new space, inviting VIP customers, friends, brand partners, and everyone involved in the build.
SUSSEX MP HOSTS WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
East Grinstead and Uckfield MP Mims Davies recently hosted her first-ever Women’s Business Breakfast in Uckfield, featuring strong, inspiring women who shared their advice and networked with other like-minded women.
The event celebrated local women in business, bringing them together to create new networking channels
and foster economic growth in the local community. Susan Fleet MBE, former business owner of Lea Graham Associates and long-time friend of Dame Vera Lynn was one of the speakers alongside Genevieve Gresset, owner of the Pamper Lounge, who has had a very diverse career. Both ladies touched upon their careers, with highlights and some insightful anecdotes.
WOMEN STILL ‘NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY’ IN BUSINESS
Almost one in three women running their own business believe they are not taken seriously by investors, according to new research commissioned by AXA UK. The study, based on responses from 500 female entrepreneurs, found that 21% feel it is harder for them to succeed than their male counterparts. Among those, 22% cited limited access to funding and
investment as a key barrier. Gender bias remains a prevalent concern, with 59% identifying it as one of the top challenges they face. Other commonly reported obstacles include balancing personal and professional commitments (29%), stereotypical assumptions around ‘emotional’ versus ‘rational’ decision-making (42%), and difficulty finding a supportive team (26%).
❛ ❛
There are many things you can do overnight, but there is no overnight success.”
– Tory Burch, fashion designer, businesswoman and philanthropist
UEFA is gearing up to bring in around €32.5m (£28m) in sponsorship revenue for the Women’s Euros, currently taking place in Switzerland; that’s more than double what was received back in 2022, when the tournament was last staged. The leap reflects UEFA’s 2018 decision to unbundle women’s football rights, giving brands the chance to back the women’s game directly. It has become a game-changer; a move that has attracted big names like Amazon, Visa, and Euronics, along with over 20 other sponsors across various levels.
Fast-moving consumer brands are taking notice: viewers are 53% more likely than the average sports fan to purchase snacks and groceries.
Still with women’s football, each of the 12 Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs reported over £1m in revenue for the first time in the 2023/24 season, with all of them achieving a double-digit increase in total revenue.
The average revenue for WSL clubs was £5.4m in 2023/24, up from £4.0m in the 2022/23 season (a 34% increase). The top four revenue-generating clubs generated two-thirds of the total revenue of the 12 WSL clubs.
Commercial revenue continues to drive growth across the league and its clubs, representing a 40% share of the WSL clubs’ total revenue, with six clubs reporting commercial revenue above £1m (up from four clubs in the previous season).
MORE CALLS FOR MORE WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Imperial will lead the development of a new national network for women entrepreneurs, building on the success of its WE Innovate programme.
Five universities – Imperial College London, Queen’s University Belfast, Swansea University, University of Glasgow, and Durham University – will join the WE Innovate National network, which will run programmes to support 150 womenled teams each year across the participating institutions.
The programme supports women founders through masterclasses, business coaching, 1-to-1 expert support, and peer mentoring, with the top five teams competing for a chance to win a share of a £30,000 prize fund.
Jenny Francis, local director at Southampton Metro Bank, has spoken out about the need for more female entrepreneurs, highlighting the significant economic potential of women-led businesses.
According to the Rose Review, £250 billion could be added to the UK’s economy if women were to match men in starting and scaling businesses. Jenny said, “Women-owned businesses are a significant and growing force in the economy, with women entrepreneurs leading a diverse range of industries and contributing to innovation and economic growth.”
However, she noted that women entrepreneurs face several challenges, particularly in securing funding; a funding gap that persists at every stage of a business’s journey, with women often more reluctant than men to take on debt to start up their own businesses.
By Alison Jones, Partner, Kreston Reeves
IPROUD SPONSOR
SUPPORTING FEMALE FOUNDERS
n May, I attended the Dynamic Business Awards as both a finalist in the Businesswoman of the Year category and as a corporate sponsor, presenting the SME Business of the Year Award.
It was a great event, and I always feel incredibly motivated and inspired by the end of the evening. As well as being a fantastic showcase for many businesswomen and their businesses, it is also an opportunity to network with many different people from around our region, and to hear how much being nominated and winning means to the finalists. Being nominated certainly meant a lot to me.
I love hearing the stories behind the businesses, and you can see friendships and new connections building around the room. Many of the younger entrepreneurs I met said they felt inspired and motivated by both the awards and the speakers who talked of their own experiences and business journeys.
A recurring message on the night was how difficult it is now for women who want to start and grow their own business, as access to funding is often holding them back, and there are many reports which highlight this issue. It was in low numbers before the COVID pandemic, and in my experience, funding opportunities have got even harder for women since then.
This government has a growth agenda for this parliament and wants businesses to drive the economy. Yet, if 50% of the population is effectively being held back from starting and expanding their businesses, then we really need to examine the reasons for this and challenge what can be done to change things.
A 2024 report by HSBC of 320 midlife female entrepreneurs in the UK found that accessing Venture Capital Investment is incredibly difficult. This is, unfortunately, not surprising and something I hear often, but it is astonishing, especially when this year, women are expected to control around 60% of the nation’s wealth.
In the report, only 2% had received venture capital (VC) investment into their business, and only 4% had received angel investment, with 50% of those women starting their business aged 50 and over and 35% were aged 40-49. It makes you ask the question, is that because women are not seen as investable, or is it that older women, especially, are not considered investable?
48% of the women surveyed were also looking to scale their business, which is very difficult to achieve without access to funding, and 26% were looking to open a new business. This economic potential will be lost unless more is done to support both them and the younger budding entrepreneurs.
The report also highlighted that the majority of women used personal savings, loans or remortgaging property as the most common source of business funding. This, of course, puts them and their future at a significant risk. Women need targeted and practical support which enables them to grow their business without sacrificing their personal wellbeing or control. Those who were likely to get funding were based in London and the South East, which means that many women throughout the UK are not getting any support at all.
“Later this summer, I will be hosting a lunch for a number of female founders and businesswomen to see if we can come up with some practical, local solutions to these national issues.”
Angels, Fund-F and Sie Ventures, to name a few. Maybe we could motivate more to enter this market.
• Can we encourage more women to become angel investors, as studies suggest female investors are more likely to back female-led businesses, which helps to reduce the funding gap?
• We have recently become involved in some new local initiatives. If accepted onto these programmes, businesses will receive help to raise capital, along with technology, accountancy and growth support.
• On a practical level, we can sit down with business owners and help them review their business plans, as well as their budget and cash flow forecasts. It is vital to get this under control when you are seeking funding, as it is essential to know exactly what you need and when.
So, how do we help address this funding and wider support gap for female entrepreneurs? Here are a few suggestions:
• There are several VC funders who prioritise female founders, such as January Ventures, Pink Salt Ventures, Elmer
• It is also important to seek broader business advisory support. Many women also need some encouraging emotional support, guidance and mentorship to help them on their business journey.
Later this summer, I will be hosting a lunch for a number of female founders and businesswomen in the region to discuss these issues and to see if we can come up with some practical, local solutions to these national issues. I think it’s really important to keep raising and discussing this issue, and I’ll no doubt cover the conversation that takes place in a future article.
My advice to any female founder, of any age, who feels they are struggling to get support is don’t give up. There is help out there, so if you haven’t already, start building a network to support you, and I am always happy to help. Many women are on a similar journey to yours, and as The Dynamic Awards have shown, when we come together, the room is alive with ideas, experience, enthusiasm, and opportunities.
Kreston Reeves works alongside clients to understand their goals and help them achieve their ambitions. Please contact Alison Jones, Partner: Call: +44 (0)33 0124 1399 Email: alison.jones@krestonreeves.com Visit: www.krestonreeves.com
The
Alex Bailey Column
IWe are delighted to have Alex Bailey contributing to Dynamic. years of expertise in HR leadership, psychology, coaching, cultural evolution, leadership,and performance, delivering international events.
DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH WEB SUPPORT?
By Alex Bailey
n this flimsy world of mass connectivity online, likes and shares may give us a good dopamine hit but how much would those connections jump to help you if you really needed it? How many of them would even notice if you were masking a really challenging time?
Having a big and active enough web of support is something I have focused on building since a young age. Being independent as a military kid at the age of eight at a boarding school meant I didn’t have the daily parental guidance others did. As a result, I was open to advice, guidance and support from all others around me, which has continued to this day and is something I’ve sought out.
I’ve come to see my life as a series of evolving chapters, each bringing new challenges, growth, and the need for support in different forms. I’m not just saying we need people around us we can turn to, I’m sure that’s obvious to many people: I am making the point about expanding that group as a large web of support and actively using it to enable us to be our best at work and beyond.
To demonstrate what I mean, I’ll list some of mine for you: Voice coach, psychologist, pilates instructor, business coach, leadership coach, multiple business mentors, close friends, family, speech therapist, hand therapist, bosses, my kids friends parents, competitors, hairdresser, women leaders breakfast club UK, women leaders dinner club US, my B&F team, my professional peers, neighbours and those are just the immediate ones I can remember easily.
There are people we can turn to covering all aspects of support we might need throughout our lives, e.g. physical, emotional, informational, validational, developmental, etc., but is that all they offer?
When reflecting on these people over the years, I may have worked with them on something specific, for which they are an expert, but in each case, what they offered me was so much more than that. The human connection that is wrapped around each of our unique relationships is soul-affirming. In the same way, altruistic behaviour increases our own sense of wellbeing, seeking and accepting support gives us a boost and a glimmer of hope for becoming more.
COMPANY OF THE YEAR 2022
Dynamic. She is a Global CEO and Co-Founder, with 20+ coaching, and organisational change. She specialises in delivering impactful programmes globally while speaking at
HAVE A BIG WEB OF
No one needs to go alone; we are interdependent and interconnected. We need each other for advice, for inspiration, for encouragement, for our sanity. Our vulnerable selves don’t sit well on public social media platforms where words are misunderstood, misrepresented and often become exposed to our detriment.
Online, we’re seeing more public cries for help met with surface-level responses that boost the responder’s visibility
rather than offer real support, while many still silently struggle and burn out behind the scenes. If we focused on actively expanding our support networks, we might find the strength and confidence to finally pursue what we’ve always dreamed of.
It’s about real self-care, not just reading a book, but seeking out a wide range of people who will challenge our thinking, challenge our skills, challenge our ambition and ask for their support. We gain new perspectives from others that help us see our world in a new light and help us remain open and flexible in this world of uncertainty and complexity. It’s needed more than ever now that online algorithms leave us in an echo chamber of our own ideas.
When we don’t use our web of support, we can rely too heavily on one supportive person—be it a colleague, partner, or friend—it can strain that relationship and create imbalance. Even if they’re naturally empathetic, taking on too much can quietly wear them down, especially in high-stress environments like work.
The emotional weight transfers, affecting both their well-being and performance. That’s why seeking broader, professional support isn’t just a personal win—it can be a relief to those around us, sometimes even more so than to us. Prioritising our own care helps create a healthier ecosystem for everyone.
“I’ve come to see my life as a series of evolving chapters, each bringing new challenges, growth, and the need for support in different forms.”
When you’re at the helm, it’s tempting to put on the invincibility cloak and power through, yet even the most capable leaders thrive with intentional and diverse support systems. In summary:
• Map your existing support web: Write it out and take stock of where you feel truly seen and where there are quiet gaps.
• Human connection is gold: Those professionals with whom you’ve built real rapport—invest in those relationships. Maybe it’s your executive coach, or even a mentor outside your industry who always challenges your thinking with grace.
• Look for overlooked arenas: Emotional resilience, creative thinking, personal wellness, strategic challenge—are there voices you’d benefit from that aren’t yet in the mix?
• Use it, don’t just build it: Th is is the heart of your point.
A web of support isn’t ornamental—it’s dynamic. Tapping into it more deeply could help you lead with more authenticity, energy, and courage.
Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ alex-bailey-26562b2/
I
am thankful for my struggle because, without it,
I
wouldn’t have stumbled across my strength.”
Alex Elle, Author
DNA TESTING FOR NEWBORNS TO COMBAT DISEASE
England plans to offer full genome sequencing to all newborns, aiming to detect hundreds of potential conditions early. Health Secretary Wes Streeting says the move allows healthcare to
anticipate illness rather than just respond to it. The project forms part of a long-term NHS strategy and includes a £650 million investment in genomics by 2030. It builds on the ongoing Generation Study, where 100,000 babies are being screened for genetic disorders, with hopes of reducing pressure on the NHS and improving long-term public health.
IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
TURNING PLASTIC INTO PARACETAMOL
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have developed a method to convert plastic waste into paracetamol using genetically modified E. coli. By introducing genes from fungi and soil bacteria, the team enabled the microbes to break down PET plastic and produce the drug through fermentation, similar to beer brewing. This approach reduces reliance on fossil fuels and emits minimal carbon. Though not yet commercially
viable, researchers say it’s a promising step towards sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing from materials once seen only as waste.
NEW TEST OFFERS HOPE TO WOMEN FACING MISCARRIAGE
A breakthrough study by the University of Warwick has identified abnormalities in the womb lining as a possible cause of recurrent miscarriage. Researchers developed a new test to detect these issues, focusing on the endometrium rather than embryo health. Backed by charity Tommy’s, the test is now being trialled with 1,000 patients. One participant, Charlie Beattie, who suffered multiple miscarriages, has since given birth following the trial. The research offers renewed hope for those struggling with unexplained pregnancy loss.
ANCIENT TOMB FUNGUS MAY HELP FIGHT CANCER
A fungus linked to the so-called ‘pharaoh’s curse’ could hold promise for cancer treatment. Aspergillus flavus, discovered in Egyptian tombs, has shown effectiveness against leukaemia cells in lab tests. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found the spores, which once harmed archaeologists, contain molecules that may have potent medical applications. Lead researcher Sherry Gao says the findings highlight how nature remains an untapped source for new drugs. The study rekindles interest in natural compounds as potential treatments for serious illnesses.
UK ‘ON TRACK’ FOR NET ZERO –BUT MORE ACTION NEEDED
The Climate Change Committee (CCC). In its latest progress report, the CCC credits cleaner electricity and the rise of electric vehicles but warns more effort is needed. Heat pump adoption and tree planting must accelerate, and energy costs remain a barrier. Chair Piers Forster said the country should be proud but stressed the need for affordable green energy. “The fossil fuel era is ending,” he added.
ALZHEIMER’S DETECTION MADE EASIER WITH NEW BLOOD TEST
UK OPENS FIRST MICROFIBRE RECYCLING PLANT
A pioneering microfibre recycling facility has opened in Bude, Cornwall. Developed by the Cleaner Seas Group, the plant can process 86 tonnes of fibres annually, collected using £130 filters fitted to washing machines. These filters capture microplastics shed during laundry, which are then sent for recycling into materials for packaging and construction. CEO Dave Miller says microplastics pose a hidden global threat but insists they can be managed. The innovation offers a practical solution to a widespread but often overlooked problem.
❛A simple blood test that detects early Alzheimer’s with 95% accuracy could revolutionise diagnosis, according to new research. Developed by the Mayo Clinic, the test identifies specific proteins linked to the disease, offering a non-invasive and cheaper alternative to current methods like brain scans or spinal taps. It also correctly rules out the disease in 82% of cases. Professor Jonathan Schott of UCL called the development “remarkable”, noting how such diagnostics were unimaginable only a few years ago.
I don’t really think about other people’s opinions or expectations. The only ones I have are that of myself, to improve and get better.”
Emma Raducanu
UN OCEAN TALKS SHOW PROGRESS BUT UK LAGS
The UN Ocean Conference in Nice concluded with cautious optimism. Fifty nations have now ratified a treaty to protect 30% of the high seas by 2030— just short of the 60 needed for legal enforcement. Greenpeace criticised the UK’s slow response but welcomed its pledge to ban bottom trawling in protected areas. Support also grew for halting deep-sea mining. While campaigners see progress, they say more decisive global action is required to safeguard fragile marine ecosystems before it’s too late.
City Girl Network founder Pippa Moyle shares what she’s learnt during her deep and nourishing rest
GIVE IT A REST
As I write this, I can hear the light “pah-swoosh” of a football touching the side of a foot and scraping the net of a goal. The wind is gently fanning my face, wafting smells of freshly cut grass, barbecue and coffee.
Ahead of my laptop is the white helicopter tail of my small black and white Cavachon, Scruffy, and two boys behind her bickering over whether or not that goal was ‘offside’. They’ve told me a few times to get off my laptop and rest. Not realising that what I’m doing is actually a form of resting: Creative Rest.
Actually, I’ll be going through a lot of different forms of rest over the next few days whilst camping in this vast field on Hook Farm near West Hoathly.
I have an unhealthy relationship with rest, having spent a lifetime living under mountains of pressure to succeed. I’m
programmed to believe that switching off is giving up, and that time is a currency. The more I give, the more I’m deserving. It’s a formula for burnout and a blockade for reaching your potential.
Studies show that working over 50 hours a week drops productivity sharply and increases health risks. I was diagnosed with a chronic heart condition last year, with symptoms that rear their ugly head when I’ve not had enough rest.
The good news, as my doctor puts it, is that my condition is manageable on a ‘normal person schedule’ and through numerous healthy lifestyle changes, such as electrolyte-fueled hydration, a specific exercise regimen, and improved sleep health. The ‘normal person schedule’ is a 37.5-hour work week with two consecutive days off and the occasional overtime for evening event attendance. In other words, allocating consistent rest time in my life.
It’s embarrassing to admit that I was more concerned about taking time off than being told my heart isn’t working properly. Let’s unpack the societal cause of that one another time.
For this column, I want to share a newly-taught lesson that is quite literally saving my life: the 7 Types of Rest. It was originally crafted by Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith, who champions the point that rest is more than just sleep, which was my initial interpretation. It’s an increasingly popular concept, introduced to me by a brilliant wellness practitioner who hosts our Rural Sussex Girl events, CJ
“It’s embarrassing to admit that I was more concerned about taking time off than being told my heart isn’t working properly.”
“I wanted to share practical tips on what these seven types are and how you can integrate them into your summer.”
Yoga. However, it remains largely unknown to the general public.
Dr Dalton-Smith’s ‘7 Types of Rest Framework™’ identifies a diverse range of resting that not enough of us are integrating into our lives. With the UK summer underway, school holidays encroaching and 88% of UK employees reporting burnout in the last two years, I wanted to share practical tips on what these 7 types are and how you can integrate them into your summer.
1. Physical Rest
What it is: Passive (sleep, naps) and active (gentle movement, massage, stretching).
Why it matters at work: Fatigue leads to brain fog, poor concentration, and more sick days.
Summer tip: Use your mornings for a slow walk, yoga in the garden, or even try a weekend retreat.
2. Mental Rest
What it is: Giving your brain a break from overthinking, decision-making, and information overload.
Why it matters at work: Mental fatigue leads to forgetfulness, errors, and low creativity.
Summer tip: Block out “white space” in your day—no meetings, no multitasking. Try analogue journaling, walking without your phone, or cloud-watching on a lunch break.
3. Sensory Rest
What it is: Relief from digital noise, artificial lighting, and the constant buzz of modern life.
Why it matters at work: Too much sensory input leads to irritability, burnout, and poor sleep.
Summer tip: Embrace outdoor spaces. Ditch the screens, sit under a tree, listen to real birdsong instead of a podcast, and let your senses breathe.
4. Creative Rest
What it is: Reconnecting with inspiration, beauty, and imagination.
Why it matters at work: Without creative input, innovation stalls, and problem-solving gets rigid.
Summer tip: Visit a gallery, wander a botanical garden, or take your laptop camping and write the column you love for Dynamic magazine
5. Emotional Rest
What it is: The space to be real, vulnerable, and not “on” all the time.
Why it matters at work: Constant emotional labour drains resilience.
Summer tip: Spend time with people who let you show up messy. Journal honestly. If you’re always holding it together for others, schedule time to not be strong.
6. Social Rest
What it is: Rebalancing the social energy scale—less time with draining people, more with nourishing ones. Why it matters at work: Being “always on” in meetings and chats can feel exhausting even if you’re extroverted.
Summer tip: Make space for quiet company. Walk with a friend, picnic without pressure, or say no to one more work event invite. Quality over quantity.
7. Spiritual Rest
What it is: Feeling connected to something bigger— whether that’s nature, faith, community, or purpose. Why it matters at work: When your job feels meaningless, motivation tanks. Spiritual rest reconnects you with your “why”.
Summer tip: Volunteer for a cause you believe in. Take a solo hike. Meditate outdoors. It’s about anchoring yourself beyond deadlines and to-do lists.
Whilst I’m by no means the poster child of rest, this framework has been a vital tool for improving both my life experience and increasing the profitability of my business. I’d love to hear how it changes you, too.
Laura Hearn is a former BBC journalist, now storytelling consultant and founder of Flip It - a podcast and platform helping people and businesses use storytelling as a tool for clarity, connection and change. In this new column for Dynamic, she explores how the skills that make great journalism can be utilised for business success. Drawing from two decades of helping individuals and organisations discover their truth, Laura examines what gets lost when we prioritise speed over substance, and why the most valuable parts of any business will always be irreplaceably human.
THE MOST VALUABLE BUSINESS CAN’T What journalism taught
By Laura Hearn
The world feels fast… at least it does to me. Words like speed, scale, growth and automation dominate the narrative. However, in our urgency to go faster and do more, I believe we are at risk of letting go of the very thing that gives our work meaning - and a competitive advantage - the process itself.
I didn’t learn how to find great stories in a lecture hall. I learned by being in the room, listening, observing, and witnessing unscripted and unrepeatable moments - the kind that most definitely can’t be automated. And after two decades of helping individuals and organisations discover and tell their stories, I’ve seen the same principle apply to business: your greatest insights don’t come from data dashboards - they come from the messy, human moments you can’t shortcut.
WHAT JOURNALISM TAUGHT ME ABOUT BUSINESS Journalism taught me that truth lives in nuance, that trust is earned, not extracted. That process - the slow, gritty, human elements - is where the gold is discovered. Working as a narrative strategist has shown me this isn’t just a lesson for storytelling - it’s the foundation of every business decision that actually matters.
Over the years, I’ve been guided by two core principles:
• Follow the facts wherever they lead, even if you wish they weren’t true
• Represent people and perspectives, even when you disagree
These aren’t just ethical guidelines - they’re strategic advantages. The leaders who consistently connect with their audiences are the ones willing to hear uncomfortable truths about their market, their message and their blind spots.
THE STORIES BEHIND THE SUCCESS
Here’s what I’ve observed working with individuals and organisations across different industries: the most compelling brands share one trait with the best journalism - they’re built on authentic human moments, not manufactured messaging.
The breakthrough doesn’t happen in the strategy session, but when a founder finally admits what they’re really afraid of, when a family business owner shares the conversation
VALUABLE PARTS OF YOUR CAN’T BE AUTOMATED
taught me about the power of the human process
that changed everything, when a creative explains why they almost quit before their biggest success.
Some of my most powerful interviews didn’t happen in a shiny studio, but when I met them in their own space. And my client stories didn’t emerge from our scheduled callsthey surfaced during a frustrated rant about their industry, or in the pause after I asked a question they weren’t expecting. These were moments that weren’t scripted - they were discovered through the slow work of real conversation.
THE FOUR THINGS AI WILL NEVER REPLACE
That’s why I’m cautious about the hype around AI in business storytelling. Yes, AI can generate content and analyse sentiment. But it can’t:
Create space for unscripted moments. Your most powerful stories are hiding in conversations you haven’t planned. Make time for open-ended discussions where people feel safe to share what they really think.
Embrace the messy middle. The most compelling narratives aren’t about overnight success - they’re about the struggle, the doubt, the almost-giving-up moments that make the victory meaningful.
I didn’t learn how to find great stories in a lecture hall. I learned by being in the room, listening, observing, and witnessing unscripted and unrepeatable moments”
1. Uncover your authentic differentiator - Your real competitive advantage isn’t in your features - it’s in the specific combination of experiences that led you to solve this particular problem, in this particular way.
2. Read between the lines - The real story isn’t what someone is saying, it’s what they’re not saying. The pause. Their change in energy. The moment their voice shifts.
3. Navigate emotional complexity - The stories that move people aren’t simple success narratives. They’re honest accounts of failure, recovery and growth.
4. Build genuine trust - People don’t connect with perfect messaging - they connect with honest humans. Trust comes from consistency between what you say and how you show up.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Stop trying to sound like everyone else. Every time you optimise your message to be more “professional,” you risk losing the very thing that makes people choose you over your competitors.
Invest in deep listening. The insights that transform businesses don’t come from surveys alone. They come from genuine conversations with the people who matter to you.
THE PROCESS IS YOUR POWER
The world will keep getting faster. The pressure to produce content at scale will keep growing. But what makes people choose youand stay loyal to you - still lives in the parts you can’t speed up or outsource: your willingness to be genuinely seen, to tell the truth even when it’s uncomfortable and to treat every interaction as an opportunity to deepen understanding.
So yes, use the tools and embrace the technology, but don’t hand over the heart of your story. In business, as in journalism, connection comes from knowing which questions to ask and staying present long enough to hear what people are really telling you. Your competitive advantage lies in the one thing no algorithm can replicate: your willingness to do the slow, human work of turning complexity into compelling truth.
If you’re struggling to find that authentic story that sets you apart, or if you know there’s something powerful in your journey but can’t quite articulate it, that’s exactly the kind of complexity I help people navigate. Because the right story, told well, doesn’t just communicate what you do - it moves people to feel, to trust, and to act.
You can listen to Laura’s podcast, Flip It, wherever you get your podcasts, and you can connect with her at www.flipitglobal.com
Businesswomen lead in King’s Birthday Honours
In a powerful nod to the growing influence of women in business, the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours have placed a spotlight on a host of distinguished female business leaders, celebrating their exceptional contributions to the industry, innovation, and society. The honours, released on June 14th, mark a significant step in recognising the women who are forging new frontiers in finance, tech, retail, and venture capital.
DAMES FOR DIVERSITY AND LEADERSHIP
Among those elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire are Clare Barclay, Deborah Crosbie, Anne Glover and Emma Bridgewater. Their accolades reflect leadership across various critical sectors, including technology, financial services, ceramics, and venture capital.
Clare Barclay, former CEO of Microsoft UK and now President of Enterprise and Industry for EMEA, was honoured “for services to business, technology and leadership.” Under her stewardship, Microsoft UK’s annual turnover has soared to £9.6 billion and its workforce
expanded to 5,500—factors that cemented her reputation as a key influencer in both corporate and governmental strategy.
Deborah Crosbie, CEO of Nationwide Building Society, also received a damehood “for services to the financial sector.” Since taking the helm in 2022, Crosbie has overseen Nationwide’s £2.9 billion acquisition of Virgin Money and introduced an innovative profit-sharing scheme benefiting four million customers.
“The face of British business is evolving, embracing sustainability, inclusion, philanthropy, and social impact alongside profit.”
Anne Glover, cofounder and CEO of Amadeus Capital Partners, was awarded a damehood for championing engineering, science, and entrepreneurial investment. She has been a vocal advocate for greater allocation from UK pension funds into startups—a move widely credited with refining the country’s innovation ecosystem.
Emma Bridgewater, the Stoke-on-Trent ceramic powerhouse behind the eponymous pottery brand, was recognised “for services to ceramics.” Having scaled her operation to around £36 million in sales and achieving B Corp status in 2022, Bridgewater epitomises UK small business success and design excellence.
CBE AND BELOW: AN EXPANDING
FIELD OF EXCELLENCE
The momentum continues with a host of other women honoured at the Commander (CBE) and Officer (OBE) levels—each making a significant impact in their respective industries.
Tiina Lee, CEO of Citi UK, was awarded a CBE for services to business and the financial sector. Alongside her, Michelle Scrimgeour, former CEO of Legal & General Investment Management, also received a CBE, recognising her role in managing over £1.1 trillion in assets.
Ruth Handcock, CEO of Octopus Money, received an OBE for her leadership in financial services and investments. Retail sentiment found its voice in Hannah Gibson, CEO of Ocado Retail, who was awarded a CBE for her services to retail, while Lyssa McGowan, CEO of Pets at Home, was honoured with an OBE.
Damehood of the Order of the British Empire
the way Honours list
Other notable recipients include Dana Strong, Group CEO of Sky (CBE); Victoria Davies, head of Danske Bank UK (OBE); and Shevaun Haviland, chair of the British Chambers of Commerce (CBE).
CHAMPIONING INCLUSION, INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONAL IMPACT
The recognition of these women speaks to a broader evolution in the honours system, embracing diversity, innovation and global enterprise. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer lauded the list as “a powerful reminder of the extraordinary dedication, compassion and service that exists in every corner of our country.”
On the world stage, British businesswomen received honours tied to overseas contributions, too. Noreen Burroughes, a Maltese strategist, received an MBE for advancing women in international trade. At the same time, Mila Lukic, founder of the social enterprise Bridges Outcomes Partnerships, was recognised with an OBE for public service and social impact.
A SEA CHANGE IN REPRESENTATION
This year’s list demonstrates strong progress in gender equality within the top echelons of business. Approximately half of the more than 1,200 honourees are women, with individuals from ethnic minorities representing 11%.
The honours reinforce how women across sectors - finance, tech, retail, philanthropy and social enterprise - are not only thriving, but setting new benchmarks for leadership, creativity and systemic change.
A ROSY FUTURE
As Dames Barclay, Crosbie, Glover and Bridgewater exemplify, the face of British business is evolving, embracing sustainability, inclusion, philanthropy, and social impact alongside profit. Their leadership heralds a promising future for enterprise in the UK - one where success is as much about purpose and responsibility as it is about balance sheets.
These appointments send a clear message: women are not simply participating in business - they are leading it. And as this year’s honours show, they’re doing so with vision, grit and compassion that are reshaping the nation’s economic and social landscape.
By Mary Taylor, CEO at Mary Taylor and Associates
Making decisions under extreme pressure LESSONS FROM PRISON HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS
C-suite executives frequently have to make time-critical, high-pressure decisions, but what, if anything, can they learn from the extreme scenario of prison hostage negotiations? Quite a lot, actually. The psychology is virtually identical – anticipating outcomes, assessing risk, and making pivotal decisions in rapidly changing circumstances.
So, what lessons can we bring from prisons into the boardroom? When working in maximum security prisons, you will inevitably encounter critical situations such as hostage-taking. Despite training and protocols, life doesn’t always follow the script.
Clinging on grimly to classic negotiation advice, such as ‘stall for time’, ‘establish a rapport’ and ‘elicit information’, is often impossible when you have to make lightning-fast, momentous decisions between hugely risky options, based on incomplete and questionable information.
such as ‘I wish XYZ were happening instead…’, ‘How did I get myself in this situation…’, ‘I don’t know enough to make this decision…’ and so on.
Whilst self-evidently useless, it is hard to avoid thinking like this. But you can choose to accept that there is no change of circumstances that will imminently fall from the sky – and more importantly, understand that you don’t need that.
Life is a series of choices between imperfect options. So, whilst what you are currently facing may be more than what you are used to, it is still just along the same scale of numerous other situations you have faced and dealt with many times before.
“Failure to take a decision is also a decision in and of itself, with far-reaching consequences.”
Failure to take a decision is also a decision in and of itself, with far-reaching consequences.
The only option, of course, is to make the best choice you can under the circumstances. However, this is far easier said than done. Adrenaline, stress, and anxiety obstruct rational thought and result in knee-jerk reactions.
So, is there anything you can do other than ‘winging it’ and hoping for the best? Yes, absolutely. Here are some techniques that are applicable across many high-pressure, timepoor situations.
ACCEPT THAT THERE IS NO IDEAL OPTION
You are where you are. Deal with it. Even in urgent and critical situations, people often waste time running narratives
Taking a second or two to remind yourself of this reassures you of your capabilities, and it stops you wasting valuable time.
DEAL ONLY WITH WHAT IS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF YOU
Ideally, we would consider all possible ramifications and consequences of an action before taking it. Whilst this is generally useful, it is not helpful in critical situations.
There are innumerable potential consequences arising from a situation where there are multiple, uncontrollable variables. As events unfold, these potential consequences fluctuate. In extreme situations, calculating the likelihood of these possible consequences must be performed continuously.
So, stick to ‘one generation of consequences’ in your weighing of options. If you imagine a flow chart, where saying yes or no at any point leads to increasingly numerous possible outcomes further down, try to stick only to the first layer.
The best decisions are made when analysing what is concretely in front of you at that moment in time. Consider
primarily what is happening right now, and the immediate likely consequences of binary actions taken.
The key is to ‘put one foot in front of the other’ systematically, taking decisions in turn as they arrive based on what is objectively present – in short, don’t run too far ahead with imaginary scenarios and guesswork.
“Life is a series of choices between imperfect options.”
YOU ONLY NEED TO GET PAST 50% CERTAINTY
Most people are naturally risk-averse - this is a highly adaptive survival mechanism. However, it is counterproductive when fast, risky, and high-pressure decisions need to be made.
Instead of leaning towards the ‘safest’ decision, when there is none readily available, your aim should be simply to shorten the odds.
If the decision you are facing was easy or obvious, it would, by definition, not be difficult to take under extreme pressure. In these circumstances, it is not helpful to agonise or procrastinate over trying to get a high degree of certainty or safety; inaction, even for a brief interlude, can be far more damaging.
You need to be more certain than not – in other words, if you have more than 50% certainty of an outcome, the decision is made. To use the legal analogy, you are aiming for the right
decision on the balance of probabilities, not beyond all reasonable doubt.
So, as surprising as it may seem, there are transferable techniques from maximum-security jails that executives can utilise to help them get ahead. If you move straight past internal dialogue to actioning decisions, deal only with what is immediately in front of you, and shorten the odds as far as possible in your favour, you will make the right decisions more than you make the wrong ones – which is the best possible outcome with critical, time-short, decision-making.
+ABOUT MARY TAYLOR
Mary Taylor has worked with top executives in many globally recognised brands, including Apple, Cartier, Ferrari, Dior, Pfizer, Prada and Sony, and has a unique understanding of the challenges of corporate life at the top.
Mary’s academic and professional background includes working in maximum-security prisons as part of HM Government’s Accelerated Promotion Scheme and as a top corporate lawyer. She is also a qualified psychologist.
In our exclusive Spotlight feature, we highlight women who are doing good things in their community. They’re not always seen but we think they should be.
SP OTLIGH T
Rachel Innes
Rachel is an Associate Solicitor with Monan Gozzett LLP specialising in reputational management, defence, regulatory, employment and education law.
Monan Gozzett LLP is a boutique law firm nestling under the watchful eye of the castle in beautiful historical Arundel, West Sussex, with offices in Chancery Lane, London, plus York, Guildford and Manchester to serve our national and international clientele.
I left school at 16 with a passion for dance and music. I was not the slightest bit interested in academic achievements, having failed miserably at most subjects, not due to a lack of brains, but a lack of inspiration.
I used to dream when I was a child that someday I would be a lawyer with a smart suit, but that day seemed out of reach, as if it belonged to someone else and not me. Instead, I turned to my creative talents and studied dance in the West End, before moving to the USA, finding myself in the vastness of Salt Lake City, Utah.
The USA sharpened my business acumen, my resolve, and gave me the courage to ‘be myself no matter what they say’!
Whilst living in the USA, I discovered taekwondo, which, although I did not know it at the time, was to become my career for over 20 years. After being put through my paces 8000ft up a mountain, I returned to the UK with my black belt in hand, a head full of dreams, an empty purse and built my first Taekwondo school from ground zero.
I was frequently told, “You will never make a business out of taekwondo.” I never listened to the doubtful or disdainful. Soon, I had built a successful business teaching taekwondo to children, adults, those with additional needs, and kids in care homes, while also presenting in schools, leading corporate team-building days, and everything in between. Additionally, I have competed nationally and internationally, and I raised a child as a single mother.
“Be yourself, no matter what they say!”
At that time, I was one of only two female stand-alone taekwondo school owners in the UK. The industry was harsh and full of inequalities. Twenty years or so later, this landscape is beginning to change, and it is great to see sport in general become more inclusive for all.
I suppose I have always been a natural entrepreneur. Being creative teaches you to fly by the seat of your pants and make it all work. I have always intrinsically known that I could make money and pay my way.
But I was restless and knew there was a secret childhood dream unexplored, that would bring all of the life experience, business knowledge and understanding of people together for the ultimate career.
Fast forward six years, and the childhood dream was realised. After achieving a 1st-class honours degree, a scholarship to the University of Law all via remote learning, I got the training contract of my dreams. I qualified in an area where I can help clients with their legal issues in areas of law that I am passionate about, and work for two amazingly talented partners within a close-knit and talented team.
‘Be yourself, no matter what they say!’
Ihave always been a communicator. It started with languages; Norwegian and French at the University of East Anglia, to be precise. Languages teach you how to build meaning, cadence, emotion, rhythm and precision. A valuable skill for marketing and copywriting.
I didn’t jump straight into marketing. A passion for words and TV took me first to Anglia TV and the BBC as a runner. While working on That’s Life and sorting Terry Wogan’s post, I learnt a big life lesson: don’t listen to what other people think without challenging it. I was told I couldn’t work in TV as I didn’t have a journalism degree. I regretted listening to that person for a long time.
I did go on to work in media, but for publishing companies and later corporate media. It was in publishing that I excelled in marketing, managing portfolios as varied as engineering, film, TV and potatoes. I remember the first time I felt I had made it was when I became marketing manager for the coveted film and TV portfolio. That job ultimately led me to Pinewood Studios. It took me to LA, which was actually nowhere near as exciting as having lunch sitting next to a real Oompa Loompa in the studio canteen.
Alison Prangnell
Alison provides fractional marketing services as The Marketing Maven and is a trustee for the Ashdown Forest Foundation.
were setting up a marketing function for the first time. It’s this approach that I apply for clients now, where I roll my sleeves up and dig in to sort out their marketing challenges. I love the variety of working across a wide range of businesses and sectors from software to commercial fit-out, fitness, construction and most recently, the environment and nature conservation sector.
2024 brought a big change. In the face of a climate crisis, the urge to be outdoors and help nature recovery with a boots-on-the-ground approach became overwhelming. After all these years of corporate work, the wild was calling me back.
“I believe people and businesses can follow their stars to successand look after the world around us at the same time. I want to help make that happen.”
I grew up on the edge of Ashdown Forest, and I spent most of my childhood walking or riding there. In Norway, I spent half of every week up a mountain, and I wrote my dissertation on acid rain. I’ve travelled the world and always been happiest with an adventure and the wind in my hair. Last year, alongside my client work, I undertook a Countryside Management Diploma at Plumpton. It was the hardest thing I have done in years, but also the most fulfilling.
It was in the publishing roles that I learnt to be an integrated marketer, managing everything across the marketing mix. This skill set made me valuable as the Head of Marketing for smaller, fast-growing, and ambitious businesses that
With the course now completed, I’m a dab hand at habitat and woodland management plans, as well as lots of countryside skills (if you need any help!). As a result, I’ve become a trustee for my beloved Ashdown Forest, and alongside my marketing work, I’m developing a nature-led business that will deliver marketing services for nature-led businesses, as well as provide habitat management services. It’s all very new and a work in progress. A new adventure is being plotted, and (as I learnt at the beginning of my career) follow your heart and success will follow.
2024: SOUTH EAST FOURTH FOR
South East England has been ranked as the fourth top-performing region outside Greater London for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2024, according to EY’s latest UK Attractiveness Survey.
The region recorded a total of 59 FDI projects, a 9.2% decrease from the 65 reported in 2023. However, this drop was smaller than the national decline, with the UK as a whole attracting 853 projects in 2024—a 13% year-on-year decrease.
Reading was the region’s leading destination for investment and ranked as the UK’s joint 13th best performing location, securing six FDI projects in 2024. This was down from 10 projects in 2023, when Reading was ranked eleventh nationally. Milton Keynes also featured in the UK’s top 20 FDI destinations, maintaining fifteenth place with four projects, a decrease from the eight it attracted in 2023.
The UK remained Europe’s second-best performing country for inward investment. France ranked first with 1,025 projects in 2024, despite a 14% decline. Europe overall saw a 5% drop in FDI projects year-on-year, which is attributed in part to modest economic growth across the continent. This has led some investors to shift focus toward more competitive global regions such as Asia and the United States.
TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO LEAD IN SOUTH EAST FDI
Technology remained the South East’s joint top sector for FDI, with 12 of the region’s projects in 2024 related to software and IT services. Other key sectors
EAST ENGLAND RANKED FDI OUTSIDE LONDON
included transportation manufacturers and suppliers (12), machinery and equipment (5), pharmaceuticals (4), and business and professional services (3). Transportation manufacturers and suppliers was the only sector to experience year-on-year growth, increasing by 50%—its highest total in the region since 2021.
FDI-related employment also rose in the South East, with the 2024 projects generating 1,112 jobs across the region, marking a 16% increase compared to 2023.
Gareth Anderson, Managing Partner for EY in the South, said: “The South East continues to demonstrate its dynamic potential in attracting Foreign Direct Investment, with technology leading the charge as our most prominent sector. The diverse range of sectors, including transportation, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, showcases the region’s ability to create opportunities across industries.
“While the South East did attract fewer projects than in 2023, this decline was not as pronounced as the national drop. There are reasons to be optimistic about the region’s future. Our survey highlights that access to a skilled workforce, the availability of partners and suppliers, and the strength of local transport infrastructure are key criteria for global investors when considering locations outside of London.
explored what criteria investors consider when evaluating UK regions outside London.
Over a third (37%) of respondents cited the availability of regional grants and incentives as a key factor. This was followed by access to a skilled local workforce (30%) and the availability of business partners and suppliers (28%). Other important factors included strong local business networks (24%) and transport infrastructure (21%).
MOST UK REGIONS SAW INVESTMENT DECLINE
While Greater London retained its position as the UK’s leading region for FDI in 2024, followed by Scotland, most UK regions saw fewer projects than in 2023.
“FDI-related employment also rose in the South East, with the 2024 projects generating 1,112 jobs across the region, marking a 16% increase compared to 2023.”
“The South East’s proximity to the capital and its population density mean the region benefits from a mix of high-growth companies, excellent transport links and a highly skilled labour market. Moving forward, it is essential that we build on this momentum and work collaboratively to enhance our investment appeal, ensuring a prosperous future for the region’s businesses.”
WHAT INVESTORS VALUE OUTSIDE LONDON
EY’s survey of 400 international investment decision-makers, conducted between January and March 2025, also
Declines were recorded in Greater London (-26%), Scotland (-5%), the West Midlands (-32%), the South East (-9%), the South West (-32%), the East of England (-36%) and Northern Ireland (-6%).
By contrast, regions across the North of England saw a combined increase of 29% in FDI projects. The North West became the UK’s third-best performing region, with 86 projects—up 27% from the year before. Yorkshire and the Humber recorded 52 projects, a 53% increase, and the North East saw an 11% rise to 42 projects.
The East Midlands (36 projects) and Wales (16 projects) were the only other regions to record an annual increase in FDI projects.
Manchester was the UK’s top city for FDI outside London in 2024, attracting 44 projects—a 22% increase on 2023— surpassing Birmingham. It has now been the leading city outside the capital in three of the past five years.
Data courtesy of Ernst & Young LLP
F“AI WON’T REPLACE But CFOs who embrace AI will
In a world awash with AI headlines and tech disruption, Sara Daw, CEO of The CFO Centre, cuts through the noise with a compelling message - AI isn’t coming to take our jobs, it’s coming to transform them.
or company leaders and the finance teams that support them, the implications are both profound and empowering. The finance sector, alongside many others, stands on the brink of a revolution. Rather than seeing AI as a threat, we should openly and boldly embrace it, though not blindly, as a catalyst that will elevate the role of the CFO.
THE STRATEGIC CFO: MORE HUMAN THAN EVER
The truth is that the responsibilities of the CFO have already evolved. We have moved from functional specialists to strategic partners and trusted advisors. And these are precisely the kind of human-centric qualities AI can’t replicate.
The key differentiator in the AI era will continue to be relationships. Finance, for all its numbers and models, is ultimately about trust, leadership, and understanding people. And these are inherently human strengths.
AI is not a magic bullet, but nor is it a faceless threat. It is a powerful tool and one that should be embraced. What we’re seeing from our clients is not reckless adoption but curious exploration. For SMEs, it’s largely about efficiency and automation, whilst for larger corporates, the perceived value lies in insights and data.
Lack of knowledge and expertise are understandable barriers; however, there are simple steps that companies can take to progress their AI journey. Take time to understand the specific opportunities for your business, invest in the right technology, upskill your teams, and, perhaps most importantly, foster a culture of innovation and an environment where people can test and learn. Working with existing software partners to understand the AI capabilities of existing platforms is a great place to start.
Key areas for a significant impact include automating administrative tasks, data analysis, reporting, regulation and compliance, and supporting decision-making.
As automation takes over the more routine processes, finance leaders will be freed up to focus on higher-value activities, such as forecasting, risk analysis, and strategic planning.
AI will empower CFOs and finance leaders to become integration champions, overseeing the adoption of AI tools. But it will not replace the human elements of leadership, judgment, and relationship-building that are critical to successful financial strategy and business transformation.
A FRAMEWORK FOR THE FUTURE
The financial future will be defined by a hybrid model, one where AI handles the numbers and skilled professionals shape the vision. Businesses that invest in AI, upskill their teams, and foster innovation will be best positioned to lead in this evolving landscape.
For The CFO Centre, this vision isn’t just forward-thinking - it’s already in motion. With nearly 25 years of experience in the fractional CFO space, we have been pioneering the future of work long before AI became a buzzword.
But to succeed, we need to be more human than ever. In an age where machines can calculate, predict, and write, it is empathy, communication, and leadership that will define success. The best finance leaders of tomorrow will be those who master both the science of data and the art of people.
A POWERFUL TOOL TO BE EMBRACED
I can certainly see a future where AI tools enhance efficiency, accuracy, and strategic insight within the finance function.
“AI is not a magic bullet, but nor is it a faceless threat. It is a powerful tool and one that should be embraced.”
AI is here, and it’s here to stay. But the future doesn’t belong to the technology - it belongs to the professionals who can wield it wisely. CFOs who embrace AI not as a replacement, but as a partner, will stay relevant and lead. And the human touch will be the most valuable asset of all.
REPLACE CFOs” will lead the future
The CFO Centre has been pioneering fractional CFO services since 2001, and now operates in four continents and 18 countries. They employ more than 350 CFOs across the UK & Ireland, over 700 worldwide.
“40% of parents who experienced domestic abuse during pregnancy or in the fi rst two years of their child’s life said they didn’t feel able to seek professional help at the time. ”
PROTECTING EVERY FUTURE
New guide promotes stronger protections in the workplace for
PROTECTING FUTURE
A group of leading employer support organisations has come together to launch a new resource – “Protecting Every Future” – designed to help managers support employees who may be experiencing domestic abuse during pregnancy.
To bolster its impact and encourage policy change, the consortium has also written a joint letter to key government representatives. The letter calls for stronger legal protections and better workplace support for people affected by domestic abuse.
The need for this guidance is clear. Domestic abuse during pregnancy is alarmingly common and often goes undetected:
• Around 30% of domestic abuse cases begin during pregnancy, and between 40–60% of women experiencing abuse are abused during pregnancy (SafeLives).
• According to The For Baby’s Sake Trust, 40% of parents who experienced domestic abuse during pregnancy or in the fi rst two years of their child’s life said they didn’t feel able to seek professional help at the time. A third (33%) said they didn’t know where to turn for support.
“Protecting Every Future” aims to embed understanding of domestic abuse within workplace maternity and family-related policies. It offers practical advice to help employers create a safe and supportive environment for pregnant employees – both personally and professionally – during what can be a very vulnerable time.
A CALL FOR ACTION
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Dame Nicole Jacobs, recently released a ground-breaking report, “Victims in their own right? Babies, children and young people’s experiences of domestic abuse”. Despite high rates of domestic abuse during pregnancy, the report found that very few disclosures are made in maternity settings. In fact, only 0.5% of maternity patients were recorded as disclosing domestic abuse.
for pregnant women facing abuse
The Protecting Every Future guide includes practical steps employers can take, such as:
• Suggested policy language for workplace maternity and family policies.
• Questions that can be included in risk assessments to help identify abuse.
• Tips for offering safe opportunities for disclosure without fear of judgment or consequences.
BUILDING ON PREVIOUS WORK
Th is initiative builds on the success of “Sharon’s Policy,” developed in 2021 by Domestic Abuse Education, Domestic Abuse Alliance, and The HR Dept in collaboration with the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse. Named after domestic abuse survivor Sharon Livermore MBE, the
policy and its guidance notes offer a free, ready-to-use template for businesses to develop their own domestic abuse policies.
Over 1,000 UK businesses have already adopted or used Sharon’s Policy to strengthen their workplace approach to domestic abuse. Now, the group is pushing for more formal legal requirements that would oblige employers to implement domestic abuse procedures. This includes manager and HR training to help identify warning signs and respond safely.
REACHING POLICYMAKERS
The open letter to Parliament calls on MPs and policymakers to strengthen workplace protections and increase support for victims of domestic abuse. Signatories include:
• Jess Phillips MP, Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls.
• Jess Asato MP, Officer for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Domestic Violence and Abuse.
• Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State for Employment.
• Other MPs with a strong track record of advocating for action on domestic abuse.
+THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
• One in four women in the UK will experience domestic abuse at some point in their life. (ONS, 2023)
• Exposure to abuse from pregnancy to age two can disrupt brain development and harm emotional, cognitive, and physical health. (The For Baby’s Sake Trust)
• Freedom of Information requests show that at least 48,067 babies and toddlers (0–2 years old) are referred to children’s services each year due to domestic abuse. Around 1,924 of these babies enter care annually, meaning domestic abuse contributes to one in four cases of infant care placement in England. (The For Baby’s Sake Trust, 2025)
• As of late 2023, over 16 million women aged 16+ were employed in the UK (House of Commons Library). Many of them will become mothers –and face heightened risk during pregnancy.
• The estimated cost of domestic abuse to society is £85 billion annually. (Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s submission to the 2024 Autumn Budget)
• The cost to the economy due to lost productivity and time off work is around £14 billion (Home Office, 2019)
VOICES FROM THE FRONTLINE
Sharon Livermore MBE, who survived domestic abuse and now leads Domestic Abuse Education, comments: “Embedding domestic abuse awareness into maternity and family policies is not just good practice – it’s essential. Employees, especially those at risk, deserve to feel safe and supported at work. Workplaces play a vital role in recognising and preventing harm. Employers can literally save lives by creating strong domestic abuse policies and being prepared to act.”
The guide also points employers to specialist support services, such as legal advice from Domestic Abuse Alliance, and internal resources like HR departments, Employee Assistance Programmes, and Domestic Abuse Champions –all of which can offer confidential, practical support.
Rosie Watson, Head of External Relations at Domestic Abuse Alliance, says: “The government has pledged to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade. By following the recommendations in Protecting Every Future, employers can make a meaningful contribution toward that goal. With the right workplace support, people affected by abuse can access help, apply for legal protection, and take steps towards a safer life.”
Felicity Kenny, Managing Director of The HR Dept, adds: “Domestic abuse can affect every part of someone’s life –including their ability to work, remain financially independent, and seek help safely. Without appropriate workplace policies, many employees risk isolation and further harm. This guide provides employers with clear steps to create safer, more compassionate workplaces for all.”
Protecting Every Future has been developed in partnership with the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse, Refuge, and The For Baby’s Sake Trust.
THE HUMAN COST
Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, says: “Domestic abuse can escalate during pregnancy, as perpetrators often
“Domestic abuse can escalate during pregnancy, often exploit this time to exert more control. 2024, 14% of people using Refuge’s services were
exploit this time to exert more control. Between 2023 and 2024, 14% of people using Refuge’s services were pregnant.
“Around 30% of domestic abuse cases begin during pregnancy, and between 40–60% of women experiencing abuse are abused during pregnancy.”
“Having supportive employers can be life-changing for abuse survivors – allowing them to maintain their income, protect their independence, and plan for their future. Th is is especially critical when preparing to raise a child.
“We urge all employers to follow the guidance in Protecting Every Future and Sharon’s Policy to ensure pregnant and recently pregnant employees receive the support they need.”
A MODEL OF BEST PRACTICE
Banking group TSB has been recognised for its leadership in supporting vulnerable individuals. It was the fi rst organisation to provide Safe Spaces – both physical and digital – in partnership with charity Hestia. All TSB staff are trained to spot signs of abuse, and the bank also offers the TSB Flee Fund – a £500 grant to help people escape abusive situations. Th is money does not need to be repaid.
Kate Osiadacz, Head of Responsible Business at TSB, says: “Th is guide makes it clear that employers have a key role to play. We’ve seen fi rsthand how initiatives like the Flee Fund can help people take that fi rst crucial step to safety. We’re now reviewing how to reflect the guide’s recommendations in our own policies – so that colleagues always know what support is available and how to access it.”
ABOUT THE ORGANISATIONS BEHIND THE GUIDE
Domestic Abuse Education
Founded by Sharon Livermore MBE, Domestic Abuse Education uses lived experience to inform training for organisations across the UK. Its goal is to raise awareness of domestic abuse, teach people how to recognise and respond to it, and build workplace cultures where victims feel safe to ask for help. Services include CPD-accredited courses, consultancy, and lunchtime awareness sessions.
Domestic Abuse Alliance (DA Alliance)
DA Alliance links frontline domestic abuse services with legal professionals to help victims access civil protection. Its free WEPROTECT app enables quick, secure referrals for legal help, such as injunctions and court orders.
The HR Dept
An international network supporting over 6,000 SMEs across the UK and Ireland. The HR Dept provides expert HR advice and has influenced major policy changes, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and in areas such as employment law reform.
Refuge
The UK’s largest provider of specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Refuge runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline – available 24/7 on 0808 2000 247 – and supports thousands of people daily. More than one in four women in England and Wales will experience abuse in their lifetime, and a woman is killed every five days by a current or former partner.
For more information or to download the guide, visit: www.domesticabuseeducation.co.uk pregnancy, as perpetrators Between 2023 and were pregnant.”
Unacceptable decline in health provision for Britain’s women
By Tess de Klerk
For the fourth consecutive year, the United Kingdom has slipped in the global rankings for women’s health. According to the Hologic Global Women’s Health Index, the UK now ranks 41st out of 142 countries - falling behind nations such as Taiwan, Kuwait and Austria. This places Britain in the bottom third of European countries, despite its wealth and developed healthcare system.
The Index measures five core areas: preventive care, emotional wellbeing, access to essential services, personal safety and overall health. The UK scored just 59 out of 100, underperforming the average across the European Union. Beneath these numbers lies a deeper crisis: women in Britain are experiencing a decline in both the quality of care and their day-to-day health outcomes.
BEHIND THE NUMBERS
The data paints a worrying picture. Fewer women now report receiving high-quality pregnancy care, dropping from 79% to 72% in just a few years. Almost 30% say they experience daily physical pain, while nearly four in ten report regular feelings of worry, sadness or stress. These are not isolated issues; they are part of a broader pattern of neglect, fragmentation and underfunding.
Experts suggest that systemic challenges are to blame. Women’s health services in the UK are often siloed, with gynaecological care, mental health, and chronic illness management handled separately. This disjointed approach forces women to navigate multiple systems for issues that are often interconnected. Conditions such as endometriosis and menopause symptoms remain underdiagnosed, under-researched, and poorly managed.
“Women’s
Although the government has invested in Women’s Health Hubs to bring services together, these hubs have yet to reach their full potential. A national review found that many hubs still suffer from poor integration, inconsistent staffing and patchy coverage. In many areas, women continue to face long delays for diagnosis and treatment. At present, nearly 600,000 women in England are waiting for gynaecological care, with over 33,000 waiting more than a year. Preventive screening is also falling short. Cervical screening rates have dropped below national targets, and uptake for breast screening remains low. These missed opportunities for early detection carry long-term consequences, contributing to preventable illness and avoidable deaths.
THE EMOTIONAL TOLL
The decline in physical health services is closely linked to emotional and mental well-being. Women in the UK report higher levels of stress and sadness than their European
health services in the UK are often siloed, with gynaecological care, mental health, and chronic illness management handled separately.”
peers. This is compounded by what many describe as not being listened to by healthcare professionals - an experience that feeds feelings of frustration, anxiety and helplessness.
Such concerns have given rise to the term medical misogyny, describing the ways in which women’s symptoms are often downplayed or dismissed. Whether it’s chronic pelvic pain or hormonal changes, too many women feel they have to fight to be taken seriously. This sense of not being believed is as damaging as the delays themselves.
CHANGE
IS NEEDED
While the Department of Health points to progress, including more NHS appointments, better access to contraception, and new technologies for cancer screening, many campaigners argue that these are sticking plasters rather than systemic solutions. Real progress will require longterm investment, joined-up care models, and a cultural shift in how women’s health is understood and prioritised.
This means training more clinicians in women-specific conditions, funding research into historically underexplored areas, and embedding women’s health into core NHS planning. It also means ensuring that services are equitable and accessible across all ages, backgrounds and regions.
Improving women’s health is not just a matter of fairness. It’s a cornerstone of public health and economic resilience. Healthy women are more likely to stay in work, care for families, and contribute to their communities. When their health suffers, the ripple effects are felt across the entire society.
“Real progress will require longterm investment, joined-up care models, and a cultural shift in how women’s health is understood and prioritised.”
Britain’s fall in the global health rankings is more than a statistic—it’s a warning. Unless urgent action is taken, the nation risks entrenching a two-tier system where at least half the population is consistently underserved. For a country that prides itself on universal care, this is a gap it cannot afford to ignore.
Understanding TREATMENTS
Hyperpigmentation, characterised by dark patches or uneven skin tone, is one of the most common skin concerns. It can be triggered by a variety of factors, including sun exposure, hormonal changes (like melasma), inflammation, or acne scarring. While harmless, it can affect one’s confidence. Fortunately, a wide range of solutions are available today, from targeted skincare to high-tech clinic treatments, each with its own pros, cons and ideal candidates.
TOPICAL TREATMENTS
Topical creams and serums are often the first port of call. They work by either inhibiting melanin production or speeding up the skin’s natural cell turnover. This makes them particularly effective for mild to moderate cases and for individuals seeking to initiate treatment at home or under the guidance of a dermatologist.
Common active ingredients include:
Hydroquinone – A powerful pigment inhibitor available on prescription.
Best for: Short-term treatment of stubborn pigmentation.
Pros: Proven effectiveness.
Cons: Can cause irritation and is not recommended for long-term use.
Azelaic acid and kojic acid – Gentler alternatives suitable for sensitive or darker skin.
Pros: Anti-inflammatory, low risk of side effects.
Cons: Require longer treatment duration for visible improvement.
Retinoids (retinol or tretinoin) – Stimulate cell renewal and fade marks over time.
Best for: Age-related pigmentation, acne scarring.
Pros: Also helps with fine lines and breakouts.
Cons: May cause dryness and peeling.
Niacinamide – A brightening agent that reduces inflammation.
Best for: Daily use for overall tone improvement.
Pros: Gentle and suitable for nearly all skin types.
Cons: Effects may be subtle on their own.
“Hyperpigmentation can be triggered by a variety of factors, including sun exposure, hormonal changes (like melasma), inflammation, or acne scarring.”
Understanding hyperpigmentation: TREATMENTS THAT WORK
Topicals require patience. Improvements typically become noticeable after several weeks of consistent use. They’re best suited for those who prefer a non-invasive, gradual approach.
CHEMICAL PEELS
Chemical peels exfoliate the top layers of the skin using acids such as glycolic, lactic, or trichloroacetic acid (TCA), which encourages new cell growth and a more even complexion.
Light peels
Best for: Mild pigmentation or dull skin.
Pros: Minimal downtime and suitable for most skin types.
Cons: Subtle results; regular sessions often needed.
Medium to deep peels
Best for:Sun damage, stubborn pigmentation.
Pros: More noticeable improvement.
Cons: Longer recovery time and potential for irritation, particularly in darker skin tones.
Peels should always be performed by trained professionals who can assess your skin type and choose the appropriate strength.
LASER TREATMENTS
Lasers use light energy to break down pigment particles in the skin and are increasingly used to treat deeper or more stubborn forms of hyperpigmentation.
Some of the most effective options include: Q-switched Nd:YAG laser
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
Though not technically a laser, it treats pigmentation using broad-spectrum light.
Best for: Fairer skin with sun damage or mild discolouration.
Pros: Fast treatment, no recovery needed.
Cons: Not safe for darker skin due to risk of burns or pigmentation changes.
Laser treatments can be highly effective but should always be approached with caution, especially for darker skin tones, where incorrect use can worsen pigmentation. A patch test and a consultation with an experienced professional are essential.
MICRONEEDLING
Microneedling involves tiny needles creating controlled micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate healing, collagen production, and better absorption of active ingredients.
Best for: Post-acne hyperpigmentation, uneven tone, and textural issues.
Pros: Improves both pigmentation and skin texture, minimal downtime.
Cons: Redness for a few days; multiple treatments usually required.
“Regardless of the treatment, sun protection remains critical. Without daily use of a broadspectrum SPF, even the
most effective treatments can fail or even lead to more pigmentation.”
Widely regarded as the gold standard, especially for darker skin tones.
Best for: Melasma, sunspots, post-acne marks.
Pros: Lower risk of pigment issues in deeper skin.
Cons: Multiple sessions required, and results can be gradual.
Fractional lasers (e.g. Fraxel)
Target deeper layers of skin and promote resurfacing.
Best for: Age spots, sun damage, and textured skin.
Pros: Improves both pigmentation and overall skin quality.
Cons: Longer downtime, not always ideal for darker complexions.
Pico lasers (e.g. PicoSure, PicoWay)
Use ultra-short pulses to disperse pigment gently.
Best for: Stubborn marks, freckles, acne scarring.
Pros: Minimal downtime, suitable for a range of skin tones.
Cons: High cost, availability may vary.
Often combined with brightening serums such as vitamin C or tranexamic acid, microneedling offers a versatile and effective approach.
EXFOLIATING FACIALS AND DERMABRASION
Gentler than peels or lasers, exfoliating facials like hydrodermabrasion and microdermabrasion slough away dead skin cells and encourage fresh skin turnover.
Best for: Early-stage pigmentation and overall dullness.
Pros: Non-invasive, no recovery time.
Cons: Subtle results; best used in combination with other treatments.
DAILY SUN PROTECTION: NON-NEGOTIABLE
Regardless of the treatment, sun protection remains critical. UV exposure is a key trigger and exacerbator of hyperpigmentation. Without daily use of a broad-spectrum SPF (SPF 30 or higher), even the most effective treatments can fail or even lead to more pigmentation.
FURTHER READING… BEYOND THE CV: HOW REPUTATION EQUITY CAN MAKE OR BREAK A DIVERSE LEADER’S CAREER
Charlotte Otter is an executive communications expert, speaker, advisor and author of We Need New Leaders: Mastering reputation management to reshape the C-Suite, published by Practical Inspiration Publishing.
A CV is like a passport or a visa; it gains you entry. But reputation equity is the currency you spend when you arrive. It determines how much trust, influence and goodwill you have – and it sustains your journey.
For leaders from diverse backgrounds and of diverse identities (that is those who are not of the leadership norm), not having enough reputation equity means their trip could end sooner than planned.
It’s not news to anyone that women, leaders from different cultural backgrounds, or leaders who present with either physical or neuro-diversities, are either trapped by the glass ceiling or fall off the glass cliff. Research has shown that not only are women, for example, over-represented in pre-
STRATEGIC REPUTATION MANAGEMENT
IDENTIFY STRENGTHS, MANAGE PERFORMANCE AND PROTECT YOUR BRAND
Amanda Coleman
Kogan Page (2024)
Strategic Reputation Management is a practical guide that equips PR and communication professionals with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of reputation management effectively. With a wealth of practical tips and strategies, readers will gain the knowledge and expertise needed to enhance or build their organisation’s reputation.
carious leadership positions, but they also have much shorter tenures. Reputation is portable and can be a bridge to the next great leadership role.
HOW TO BUILD YOUR REPUTATION EQUITY
Rupert Younger, Director of Oxford University’s Centre for Reputation. defines reputation in terms of narratives, behaviours and networks. Narratives are the stories that you tell about yourself and your business that demonstrate both your values, credibility and expertise. Diverse leaders need to become good at effective telling, or externalising their value. This means not only doing good work but talking about it –and showing how your good work supports business strategy. Diverse leaders can no longer afford to be quiet high performers: they must actively build a record of success out loud.
LANGUAGE THAT LEADS: COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES THAT INSPIRE AND ENGAGE
Kasia Wezowski
HarperCollins (2023)
Today’s leaders need to use effective, empathetic communication to bring out the best in their team members and let each individual shine. Kasia Wezowski, a leading researcher on body language and communication skills, combines her research with Marshall Goldsmith’s leadership development methodology in this practical and timely resource for leaders. Goldsmith believes that a leader’s job is to bring out the best in each team member and Language That Leads breaks down the ten core qualities of leadership, providing easy-to-follow implementation steps to express, observe, and project thes e qualities effectively through verbal and nonverbal communication.
Behaviours are your actions – and these must match your narratives. If not, you break trust and this can harm your reputation. An example of this is saying you support an inclusive workplace and then managing in a command and control fashion. Your networks define what is said about you when you are not in the room. Whether online or in person, your networks provide a powerful algorithm that create opportunities and opens doors unexpectedly.
What’s becoming increasingly important for leaders in a world that is confusing and scary is the ability to create coherence. Explain to your audiences (employees, leadership teams, investors, media, customers, partners, analysts) why you do what you do and how this will improve things for them. A leader who provides coherence, or a path to un-
WIN BUSINESS WITH RELATIONSHIPS: COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES INSPIRED BY ENTREPRENEURS & TAOISM Dr. May Gao Business Expert Press (2023)
In this FUN and data rich book, you will discover how you can WIN BUSINESS through cultivating meaningful RELATIONSHIPS, nourished by listening, respect, trust, and cultural sensitivity. This business development “guidebook” illustrates relationship building and leadership strategies with quotations from entrepreneurs, communication theories, business case studies, Taoism metaphors, and real-life stories. Businesspeople and students can apply ideas from this book for career success and work-life harmony.
derstanding, is a leader who is building a great reputation.
FIND A REPUTATION EQUITY PARTNER
You need not do this alone – lean on your communications team or hire in a reputation advisor. Your reputation partner will also help you build a reputation equity strategy, and this will include social media, which is part of every leader’s reputation toolbox. It cannot be ignored.
Reputation equity does not arrive on its own. It is something you build consciously, by showing up consistently and authentically. It’s an intangible asset that will create the currency for your next great leadership role. Don’t hesitate; start today.
REPUTATION IN BUSINESS: LESSONS FOR LEADERS by Stuart Thomson Routledge (2022)
A compelling mix of reputation management, crisis leadership and the role of politics in business, this book provides unique practical steps that leaders can take to protect their reputations and those of the organisations they head in an ever more open social media-led world. Boards, trustees, non-executive directors, senior management, and leaders of all types of organisations need to consider the steps that should be taken to build, maintain and defend their reputation, and that means knowing what their reputation is and the audiences that matter most to them. This book is the roadmap.
“She draws inspiration from the works of Matisse, Derain, Hundertwasser, Klee and Klimt, as well as the hot colours of Australia”
By KELLIE MILLER
THE WORKS OF MORIA HAZEL A RIOT OF COLOUR
Moria Hazel’s compositions explore the interplay between abstraction and reality, reimagining the world around her through dynamic patterns and forms. She draws inspiration from the textures and rhythms of nature, including landscapes, plants, reflections, rock formations, and even the shapes of buildings or pieces of fabric.
She draws inspiration from the works of Matisse, Derain, Hundertwasser, Klee and Klimt, as well as the hot colours of Australia, having spent time there with her family. She
addresses her work confidently and does not succumb to popular trends.
She is an intuitive painter who approaches her work in mapping and journeying ways. She takes direction from the energy she is creating in the moment, allowing the painting to guide her. Her palette is bold and unapologetic, where each artwork’s intention is not to be ignored but to be present as the main feature of any environment rather than merely a complement. She works to her agenda; her creative time is precious, with no space for entertaining critics, music or radio. The purity of her creative environment allows for a primordial, authentic and honest result.
Texture plays a significant role in Hazel’s work. She is drawn to creating surface interest, whether through impasto layers, removal of paint, sgraffito or printing. The textures serve to heighten the viewer’s sensory experience, inviting them not only to look at the work but also to feel it through the interplay of light, shadow, and depth.
Hazel says, ”Painting, for me, is a direct channel for expressing pure joy. I am not interested in reproducing reality but in capturing the emotional resonance of a moment, a place, or an object. The resulting artworks are vibrant, alive, and full of energy, always aimed at uplifting and inspiring those who encounter them.”
Her organic flow of ideas yields works that feel alive, constantly evolving, and unrestrained by the boundaries of traditional realism.
“Moonlight Sonata”
Fest” “Out and About”
To My World”
COLOUR
Kellie Miller is an artist, curator, critic and gallery owner. www.kelliemillerarts.com
3 Church St, Brighton, Brighton BN1 1UJ
“Spring
PENNYHILL HOTEL & SPA Bagshot, Surrey
By Tess de Klerk
Set amid over 120 acres of Surrey countryside and just 45 minutes from London, Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa offers a luxurious rural escape. Combining historic charm with modern comforts, the estate is both vast and intimate, traditional yet forward-thinking. It's an ideal spot for rest, relaxation, fine dining, or a special celebration.
The original 19th-century manor house still takes pride of place at the heart of the property. It now houses the Michelin-starred Latymer restaurant and a small number of character-fi lled guest rooms. Most accommodation, however, is located in more recently built wings. These additions have been sensitively designed to preserve the atmosphere of the main house, with attention to detail throughout.
Our stay in a junior suite was outstanding. Spacious, quiet, and beautifully appointed, the room had every convenience we could ask for, including a large and luxurious bathroom. It struck the perfect balance between comfort and elegance. I also toured several other rooms at lower price points, and was genuinely impressed - each was thoughtfully laid out and finished to a very high standard. There’s no sense that quality drops as prices do.
A SPA DESIGNED FOR DEEP RELAXATION
Pennyhill Park is home to what is widely regarded as the largest hotel spa in the UK—and it certainly feels it. The facilities are extensive, well-planned, and offer plenty of room for guests to unwind without feeling crowded.
Among the highlights are two generous saunas and at least six steam rooms, each with its own scent and style—rose, eucalyptus, and salt among them. There's also a cold plunge pool, though we didn’t quite have the courage for that. More our vibe was the outdoor hydrotherapy pool, wonderfully
“Among the highlights are two generous saunas and at least six steam rooms, each with its own scent and style—rose, eucalyptus, and salt among them.”
warm even in the rain, which made for a lovely experience. An additional outdoor pool and a second hydro pool provide even more options for soaking or swimming outdoors. If we had to pick one area for improvement, it would be the limited number of showers in the spa, which seemed slightly out of step with the scale of the rest of the facilities.
BRITISH SEASONAL COOKING DONE RIGHT
Though Latymer may be the headline act with its Michelin star, our dinner at Hillfield was a highlight in its own right. This restaurant takes pride in sourcing ingredients locally and seasonally, and it shows. One charming touch is the map on the back of the menu, showing exactly where each element of your meal comes from.
We began with Wye Valley asparagus served with hollandaise, broad beans, peas, and preserved lemon balm—a dish that celebrated the freshness of its ingredients. This was followed by kombu-marinated chalk stream trout, paired with wasabi mayonnaise, kohlrabi, and apple, which was subtle, elegant, and beautifully presented. For mains, we both chose the 50-day dry-aged fillet of beef with barbecued mushroom and shallot purée. The beef was rich and tender, the accompaniments full of depth and flavour. Service was polished but warm, striking just the right note.
MICE & CELEBRATIONS
Pennyhill Park is more than just a leisure destination. Its facilities for meetings, conferences, and events are among the best outside London. With a variety of rooms accommodating up to 200 guests, along with cutting-edge AV equipment and dedicated event staff, the hotel caters comfortably
to both small executive meetings and large corporate gatherings.
The estate is also a popular choice for weddings. Its elegant interiors, romantic gardens, and experienced planning team make it well-suited for both grand receptions and more intimate affairs. With so many picturesque backdrops across the grounds, there’s no shortage of photo opportunities.
A PLACE TO BREATHE
One of the real pleasures of staying at Pennyhill Park is the sheer amount of space. The landscaped gardens, woodland paths, and lawns are perfect for a morning stroll or an afternoon ramble. It’s easy to lose track of time simply walking the grounds and enjoying the peaceful rhythm of the countryside.
Pennyhill Park doesn’t shout for attention - it simply delivers. With its blend of history, comfort, and carefully curated luxury, this is a hotel that feels both indulgent and genuinely welcoming. From the moment you arrive until the moment you leave, you’re likely to find it hard to imagine a better way to spend your time.
Prices from £346 pn in July.
Pennyhill Park
London Road
Bagshot
Surrey GU19 5EU
www.exclusive.co.uk/pennyhill-park
A sizzling taste of Argentina Bife Haywards Heath
By Charlin Thompson
Bife doesn’t try to be all things to all people—and that’s exactly why it works so well. Right in the heart of Haywards Heath, this Argentinian steakhouse is all about meat. Really good meat. It’s bold, smoky, generous, and definitely not one for the vegetarians in the group.
We visited on a Saturday night, and the place had just the right vibe—busy, lively, but still comfortable. There’s a real buzz to the room without it being overwhelming, and there’s also a nice outdoor seating area for those balmy evenings.
We noticed the tempting starters, including classic Argentine empanadas, but once we saw what we’d ordered
“There’s a real buzz to the room without it being overwhelming, and there’s also a nice outdoor seating area for those balmy evenings.”
for our main course, we knew there was no chance we’d have room. We went all in with the Bife grill box for three, which is basically a mini charcoal grill brought to the table, loaded with a serious selection of meat. Ours came with 500g of Prime Rump, 220g of Churrasco, 250g of Ribeye, 220g of Thin Skirt, two proper chorizos, and three sides.
Every single cut was excellent—tender, juicy, and packed with flavour. You could really taste the quality of the meat and the care with which it was cooked. The ribeye was rich and buttery, the rump had loads of depth, and the thin skirt and churrasco gave that perfect balance of texture and flavour. The chorizos were smoky and just the right amount of spicy.
We chose two sauces—peppercorn and chimichurri— and they both did the job brilliantly. The peppercorn was creamy and warming, while the chimichurri brought a sharp, herby hit that lifted the meat really nicely. Sharing a grill like this is a great way to try a bit of everything, turning the meal into more of an occasion. You end up talking about what you’re eating, passing bits around, and enjoying the whole thing together.
Drinks-wise, there’s plenty to choose from. A good mix of wines (including some bold Argentinian reds, of course), beers, cocktails, and spirits. Towards the end of our meal, we found out it was cocktail hour,two for one, which was a lovely surprise and a great way to finish off.
“Sharing a grill like this is a great way to try a bit of everything, turning the meal into more of an occasion.”
There are other options on the menu too—individual steaks, burgers, ribs, schnitzels—but for us, the grill box is where Bife really shines. Sides are simple but solid, nothing fancy, just good support for the main event.
Even after all that, we couldn’t resist sharing a dessert. The toffee volcano was a hit—warm, gooey, and just indulgent enough without pushing us over the edge.
The staff were great—friendly, helpful, and clearly knew the menu. Service was relaxed but efficient, which suited the overall feel of the place really well. The restaurant itself is smart without being stiff, and just feels like somewhere you’d happily return to with friends, family, or even for a low-key date night.
What really makes Bife stand out is the way it turns a steak dinner into a proper experience. The grill box format is fun, generous and full of flavour, and the whole thing feels just that little bit different to your average steakhouse. If you’re after a great bit of beef and a relaxed night out, Bife’s got you covered—just make sure you come hungry.
Bife
Haywards Heath 56-58 The Broadway, Haywards Heath RH16 3AL
Phone: 01444 715535 www.bife.co.uk
NR HAYWARDS HEATH WANDERWILD WAKEHURST
Wanderwild transforms Wakehurst’s gardens into a twilight wonderland of live music, elemental acrobatics, and international street food. Aerialists spin from treetops, fire dancers light up the night, and stilt performers roam beneath the stars. Enjoy flavours from across the globe, sip summer cocktails, and soak up the festival atmosphere in nature’s glow.
July 17th-19th
Wakehurst Place kew.org/wakehurst/whats-on/wanderwild
BRIGHTON FUNNY WOMEN EDINBURGH PREVIEWS
Enjoy two nights of top-tier comedy as Funny Women showcase full-length previews from their awardwinning alumni ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe. Featuring sharp, original sets from stars including Rachel Fairburn, Katie Pritchard, Sara Barron and Chloe Petts—expect big laughs, bold voices and the very best in stand-up talent.
July 12th-16th
Komedia, Brighton komedia.co.uk/
WHAT’S ON...
A brief snapshot of art and culture in the region
BATTLE BATTLE FESTIVAL
Over two weeks, an arts and music extravaganza fills Battle with concerts, workshops, jazz days, writing sessions and historical walks. From acclaimed musicians to community events, the festival blends creativity and culture in atmospheric venues across the town. Visit the Abbey for jester workshops, archery, storytelling, squire training and courtly etiquette, with special encampments and historical displays.
July 12th-28th
Battle, East Sussex experiencesussex.com
FARNHAM BIRDWORLD SUMMER HOLIDAY EVENTS
Throughout the school holidays, Birdworld bursts into life with themed activity weeks designed for curious young minds and nature lovers. Enjoy daily animal encounters, bird of prey displays, penguin and pelican feeds, craft workshops, interactive trails, and special guest appearances. A fun, educational and hands-on experience for all the family.
Throughout July 2025 Farnham, Surrey birdworld.co.uk
COBHAM LIVE MUSIC LATES AT PAINSHILL
Spend a summer evening in the enchanting surroundings of Painshill’s 18th-century landscaped gardens. Relax by the lake with a picnic or sample local food and drink stalls, while enjoying live performances ranging from jazz and classical to acoustic folk. A serene, atmospheric night out in one of Surrey’s most beautiful settings.
Various dates in July Cobham, Surrey painshill.co.uk
BRIGHTON ON THE BEACH 2025
Brighton’s iconic beach transforms into a vibrant open-air music arena for this multi-day festival featuring big-name headliners across rock, indie, and electronic genres. With past sets from Fatboy Slim, Royal Blood and The Libertines, 2025’s finale sees Kaiser Chiefs perform Employment in full plus their greatest hits.
July 18th-27th
Brighton Beach, Brighton onthebeachbrighton.com/
CLANDON ART & SCULPTURES IN THE VINEYARD
Celebrate the launch of the 2020 Cerulean Cuvée at this elegant summer event in the Surrey Hills. Stroll through vineyard gardens filled with over 200 stunning artworks and sculptures, meet talented local artists, and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine. All proceeds support Cherry Trees charity—art, wine and giving combined.
June 29th – July 13th Clandon, Surrey highclandon.co.uk
GUILDFORD AUNT FANNY’S DINER
Join the outrageous Fanny Galore and her hilariously chaotic crew for a riotous evening of immersive comedy, camp cabaret and audience participation—all served alongside a delicious 3-course 1950s-style diner menu. Expect games, gags, music, and mayhem in this adults-only experience that’s equal parts shocking and side-splitting.
