FMWF celebrates 10 years and raises money for Oxfam Unwrapped’s Train a Businesswoman scheme

>> Pictures from the event will be added to our Facebook group: click here

>> Scroll down to see a list of some of FMWF’s speakers from over the past ten years or visit our FMWF Speakers section

Financial Mail Women’s Forum celebrated its tenth anniversary at a glittering event – held at London restaurant Fredericks, Islington – this week, and collected money for Oxfam Unwrapped’s Train a Business Woman scheme.

The money raised will go towards training women in developing countries in book-keeping and negotiation skills, helping them with marketing or setting up a co-operative.

Senior women from all walks of business life were also updated on FMWF intiatives including the forthcoming science and technology themed Breaking the Mould conference (read more here), the Financial Freedom newspaper for women leaving prison (click here) and FMWF founder Lisa Buckingham’s recent everywoman Award win (click here).

Guests shared memories of previous events, inspirational speakers and friendships and business relationships that have been forged in the ten years since Lisa Buckingham launched FMWF.

June Poster, former sales development director of women’s retail group Frank Usher and founder of June M Poster Consultancy, said: ‘I am so happy to have been at the inception of The Financial Mail Women’s Forum ten years ago. It has been truly inspirational to hear some wonderful speakers and meet and form lasting friendships with so many bright go getting women.’

She added: ‘Times have changed greatly over the past decade and it is rewarding to still see entrepreneurial women from the group running successful businesses.’

‘I was delighted to be a speaker at one of your events and although I have now parted company with the fashion trade and now advise up and coming businesses as well as being a TV shopping channel star and radio broadcaster, I will always cherish the camaraderie and advice that comes from Lisa Buckingham and her fabulous team at FMWF. Here’s to the next ten years.’

Belinda Lawson, director of PR agency Lawson Dodd, said: ‘FMWF is a huge credit to The Mail and Lisa Buckingham. Ten years ago it was an ambitious plan to get lots of career women in a room together once a quarter.

‘Lisa did it (and still does it) with such panache and the speakers are exceptional.

‘They are people that you would seldom have the opportunity to hear and they offer up their thoughts and comments with a refreshing lack of humbug. The attendees are a rich mix too.

‘What more could a successful woman in business ask of the people that produce the must read finance pages every Sunday.’

Helene Martin Gee, co-founder of leadership forum the Pink Shoe Club and senior parliamentary adviser, said: ‘For the best connections and an energising event, FMWF is an essential in my diary. Lisa and her fabulous team are the perfect hosts and it is always a great occasion to exchange business ideas and opportunities with friends old and new.

‘It is not only a great network – FMWF is indispensable. From inspirational speakers sharing brilliant tips for the top and a website packed with practical help, to the mentoring scheme and innovative activities to encourage and support young women and those needing practical help.’

Bobbie Graham, associate at employment and skills business Pinnacle People, said: ‘For ten years I have attended the FMWF events and some guests stand out for me, like Dame Stella Rimington (former director-general of MI5) and her talk about the list of acceptable underwear she would be allowed to take on her first foreign posting, and crime writer Martina Cole and her recollection of writing short stories for her upstairs neighbour in exchange for cigarettes when she was a struggling single mum.

‘All of the speakers have shared grit and determination on their journey – some of them paving a path for us and breaking down barriers so that we no longer have to face them.

‘This group has always been very supportive and inclusive and no less than when I was made redundant from Serco four years ago. It also gave me the confidence to successfully apply to be a non-executive director of Novas Scarman where I am gradually convincing them that a charity should be run like a business if it is to survive.

‘I have also made many dear friends such as Max and Karen from Everywoman who I might never have met if we hadn’t come together at FMWF.

‘But the one constant throughout the last decade has been Lisa’s friendly welcome and support as the founder and host.’

FMWF speakers over the past ten years have included…

• American businesswoman, Barbara Cassani, who successfully launched budget airline Go Fly at British Airways and was also the first leader of London’s bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
• Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of Save the Children UK, the world’s largest independent children’s organisation.
• Former journalist and newsreader Anna Ford.
• Sly Bailey, chief executive of Trinity Mirror, the UK’s largest newspaper publisher, and former non executive director of EMI.
• Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty.
• Gita Patel, director and co-founder of Stargate Capital Investment Group Ltd.
• Dame Stella Rimington, former director-general of MI5
• Martina Cole, British crime writer

>> FMWF would like to say a big thank you to the forum members who so generously donated cash in aid of the Oxfam Unwrapped Train a Businesswoman scheme. If you would like to make a donation email vicki.owen@mailonsunday.co.uk. We will update FMWF readers soon with an update on how much we have raised.

>> For more information about the Oxfam Unwrapped Train a Businesswoman scheme click here.

 

Tags: FMWF Speakers, Sly Bailey, Women in the Third Sector

Posted by Vicki Owen on Thursday, December 9th, 2010 at 3:24 pm.

Filed under Events, Events, News, Tagged as: , FMWF Speakers, Sly Bailey, Women in the Third Sector.