FMWF » Women in Business

Tax accountant Rachel Wilson joked in a meeting that she’d launch a fashion label…and her clients backed her

Vicki Owen — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 07:02:46 +0000

Tax accountant Rachel Wilson had no idea she would be taken seriously when she joked in a business meeting about getting finance for a fashion label.

Now the great-grandaughter of Ernest Asser, co-founder of shirt maker Turnbull & Asser, has her own label – Peridot London.

Rachel, who is also a director of tax company M Squared in Perth, Australia, says: ‘I was in a fund management meeting for a fashion client and made some cheeky comments about getting funding. They took me seriously, and after I sent over business proposals they backed me.

‘I had done tax work for fashion labels through M Squared, looking at their business models and profit margins, but I had wanted to get into fashion myself since I was quite young.’

Rachel, 30, who says she has been inspired by her family heritage, launched Peridot in 2009 to offer women chic office wear that could be worn to glamorous after-work events.

‘I spent a lot of time jumping off planes and going straight in to meetings, or running out of the office to events and feeling very conscious that I was still dressed for the office,’ she says.

‘I describe my range as easy-to-wear chic for busy lifestyles.’

Peridot’s spring/summer 2011 collection was her first to be available at peridotlondon.co.uk.

‘I decided to focus more on online as we are launching at a difficult time. Retailers are more resistant to taking on ranges,’ says Rachel.

For autumn/winter 2011, she has a larger collection, all made in Britain. ‘The quality and finish on fabrics is much better in Europe,’ she says.

‘Staggering’ increase in female traders

Mark Foxwell — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 05:30:51 +0000

By Mark Foxwell

Greg Secker, the founder of Knowledge to Action, a leading trader coaching company, believes women make better traders than their male counterparts.

Secker said that between 2007 and 2010 the number of women trading at his international firm increased by a staggering 719 per cent. Four years ago only 45 women were being trained by Knowledge to Action, compared to 361 in 2010.

The company, which operates in Britain, Cape Town and Australia, has trained more than 55,000 people since it was founded nine years ago. Since then Secker said that he has seen an increase in women trading from four per cent to 20 per cent.

Secker said: ‘Generally speaking, women find it easier to emotionally detach themselves from losing trades and don’t necessarily view cutting their losses as a sign of weakness. Men on the other hand view winning and being right as signs of masculinity.

‘If a trade that’s been placed starts to go bad, women will normally close and reinvest their remaining funds into assets moving in the right direction. Men, however, find it harder to admit defeat, with ‘male pride’ causing them to back and even add to losing trades’.

35 year-old mother of two, Awla Sanghrajka, who started trading with Knowledge to Action this year, said: ‘When I had children I knew that I wanted to give up my previous position as an engineer to spend more time with them. I later got into trading as a way of earning some extra money without being tied down to a 9-5 job’.

She added: ‘I think trading is perfect for mums who can’t afford to give up their income, but who don’t want to compromise on time spent with their kids. You can allocate a couple of hours a day to trading, fitting it in around your schedule and not losing out on any time with your family’.

Entrepreneurs Festival proves an inspiration

Helen Loveless — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 23:10:15 +0000

Helen Loveless

HOW to boost entrepreneurship, help small business organise their finances and the barriers facing young entrepreneurs were all on the agenda at the second annual MADE Festival.

The four day event, which took place last week in Sheffield, was set up last year to celebrate and encourage entrepreneurship in the UK, at all levels and showcase the best of British talent.

This year’s event began with an unveiling of The Entrepreneur Express at St Pancras, an East Midlands train locomotive named after the event, which was used to carry entrepreneurs to the festival in Sheffield.

More than 2,000 entrepreneurs attended the paid-for event, including Emma Harrison, the chairman of A4e, which helps people find work, former Dragons’ Den Doug Richards, the founder of School for Start-ups; and Wilfred-Emmanuel-Jones, whose Black Farmer Scholarship encourages ethnic minorities to work in rural areas.

The speakers also included Mark Prisk, the minister for Business and Enterprise, former Home Secretary David Blunkett and Business Secretary Vince Cable.

In an opening speech to the festival Prisk, who held open surgeries with firms at the events, said his job was to ‘demonstrate support for business and entrepreneurs without trying to run them’.

He said: ‘Small businesses are vital for driving growth in the UK economy, and the Government is committed to creating the best possible environment to help new firms start up and existing businesses to grow. The MADE Festival is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs from all over the country to share their ideas and inspire the next generation of business owners.’

Key measures on the Government’s agenda to help and support entrepreneurs include ‘our ongoing commitment to reducing regulation further’. Prisk added: ‘We recently reduced regulations in the retail sector by about 60 per cent. We are also increasing competition in the banking sector, through more new entrants, in order to improve access to finance.’

Panel events covered topics including the importance of building ‘Brilliant British Brands’, as well as a Q&A debate hosted by the competitors in the latest series of BBC1′s The Apprentice show.

A debate was also held on how successful women had been in overcoming the challenges they faced in business, which was attended by leading female entrepreneurs such as Julie Meyer, founder of Ariadne Capital and Priya Lakhani, the founder of Masala Masala.

Young entrepreneurs gained a chance to learn about presenting business ideas, before taking part in a ‘speed-pitching’ event.

The festival also saw the launch of a new mentoring programme #CountMeIn, under which entrepreneurs pledged to give time to mentor young businesses to help take them to the next stage, by tweeting to #CountMeIn .

The initiative was launched by Start-Up Britain, the organisation of entrepreneurs set up for entrepreneurs and backed by Government. Dragons’ Den judge Peter Jones; James Lohan, co-founder of boutique hotel website Mr and Mrs Smith; and Lara Morgan, the founder of Company Shortcuts are just a few of the entrepreneurs who have already signed up to give their time.

The #CountMeIn campaign to recruit mentors will run for 100 days, ending in the New Year. After that time start-ups will be invited to apply for time with specific entrepreneurs.

The MADE Festival was sponsored by banks Coutts & Co, Lloyds Bank, Natwest, as well as Intuit, Microsoft and the University of Sheffield.

A who’s who of women in the building society boardroom

Jeff Prestridge — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 23:40:43 +0000

>> Scroll down to read about the women in Britain’s building society boardrooms

Earlier this year, a Government backed inquiry headed by Lord Davies of Abersoch recommended that Britain’s boardrooms should be more diverse. One of Lord Davies’s recommendations was that leading companies should strive to increase the number of women in the boardroom – with a target of 25 per cent female representation by 2015 among the country’s biggest 100 companies.

So what are building societies, whose customers are evenly split between males and females, doing about boardroom diversity? Until recently, many building society boardrooms resembled gentlemen clubs but things are changing. A number of societies now realise that female representation within the boardroom is essential and makes them more progressive, customer-oriented businesses.

Financial Mail has surveyed all 47 building societies, asking them for details of how many females sit in their boardroom and their attitude towards Lord Davies. We have also drawn together details on all the women currently sitting on the board of a building society. The survey results demonstrate that the tide is slowly turning – and that many building societies realise that to be better businesses their boardrooms need to reflect the diversity of their customer base.

BATH

ANN BERRESFORD (Non-Exec): Aged 50, joined the board in 2008. Expertise in finance and treasury (ex finance director at Bank of Ireland/Bristol & West. Chairs Bath’s Alco (Assets and liabilitie s committee) which oversees interest rate and Treasury risk. Ann also sits on Bath’s Audit committee. Says Dick Jenkins, chief executive: ‘She’s a real contributor and provides an effective challenge in the boardroom, and we all value her input highly.’

BEVERLEY

JULIE GOOD (Non-Exec): Aged 57, joined the board in 2002. She is chair of the Risk committee and also sits on the Audit & compliance and Treasury committees. Her background is marketing consultancy.

CAMBRIDGE

JANE PILCHER (Non-Exec): Aged 49, she joined the board in 2006. She is group treasurer at Anglian Water, a locally based regional utility, and a truste e of Anglian Water pension sc heme. She chairs the Alco at The Cambridge. Says Stephen Mitcham, chief executive: ‘Jane brings a knowledge of corporate treasury and banking experience to the board of The Cambridge a s well as pension and people management skills.’

CHORLEY

PAULINE CLARE (Non-Exec): Board member since 2003, senior independent director and chair of the society’s nominations and remuneration committee. Says Stephen Penlington, chief executi ve of Chorley: ‘She brings the professional experience of running a large public sector organisation. She strives to ensure the society continues to provide the services needed by our customers in a chan gin g environment and considers the society to be a valuable local facility. Pauline is married to Stuart and has two stepdaughters. When not involved in running her business she enjoys gardening a nd reading.’

JULIE MEADOWS (Non-Exec): Joined the board in April 2010. Her association with Chorley dates back to the 1990′s when in accountancy practice she was involved in the audit of a number of regional building societies including the Chorley. Says Penlington: ‘As a chartered accountant, she has a background in audit and accountancy; however she has spent most of her career in financial management roles in industry. Julie now works for a small business consultancy in a private family trust and is also a director of Ombudsman Services, an organisation which works with members and consumers in various regulated industries to offer independent dispute resolution services. Julie was born and bred in Chorley and had her first mortgage with the Chorley. She has two children at primary school locally and a wide network of family friends and colleagues in the area. She feels that in addition to offering assurances to members in financial governance she can relate to their needs both as a member of the society and the community.’ She is the society’s vice chairman and ‘treating customers fairly’ champion. Julie and her family were members of Chorley before she joined as a non-executive director.

LESLEY PAPE (Executive Director): Joined the society in March 2009 and appointed to the board in August 2010. She worked for another building society for 27 years before joining Chorley, initially as treasurer. She currently holds the position of deputy chief executive, secretary and treasurer. Lesley is a member of the society’s assets and liabilities, credit, product and risk & compliance management committees. Says Penlington: ‘Lesley lives in Chorley and is committed to developing the Chorley as a high profile community based building society. Lesley is a keen sports fan and enjoys travel and dining out in her spare time.’

CITY OF DERRY

KAREN O’LEARY (Non-Exec): Joined the board in April 2010. Aged 43 and a solicitor by training.

COVENTRY

BRIDGET BLOW (Non-Exec): Deputy chairman. Aged 62. Joined board in February 2007. Former non-executive director of the Bank of England and IT company ITNET. She is chairman of the remuneration committee and is also a member of the audit committee, risk committee, nominations and governance committee and remuneration committee.

FIONA SMITH (Non-Exec): Aged 52. Joined board in December 2002. Previously general counsel and company secretary at National Grid and Transport for London. Has held same position at Severn Trent since 2006, Fiona is an experienced solicitor and a member of the risk committee and remuneration committee.

DARLINGTON

JANICE LINCOLN (Executive Director): Aged 54, joined board on 1 November 2010. Has worked for the society all her working life. She is a chartered certified accountant. She is chairman of the assets and liabilities committee, chairman of the management risk committee, a member of the executive committee, a member of the pension trustees committee and a member of board risk committee.

LUCY WINSKELL (Non-Exec): Aged 47, she was a solicitor for 25 years and is now Pro Vice-Chancellor at Northumbria University leading the university’s development of relationships with government, public bodies, schools, businesses and other professions. She is chairman of the board risk committee, chairman of the pension trustees committee, a member of the board audit & compliance committee and member of the remuneration committee.

DUDLEY

ANNA EAST (Non-Exec): Joined the board in January 2008. Former head of legal and company secretary at Britannic Group and Halfords. On the board of Heartlands Hospital and vice chair of Dowells Trust Housing Association. She sits on the audit and compliance committee, assets and liabilities committee and lending risks and nomination committee.

ECOLOGY

PAM WARING (Executive Director): Aged 55. Joined board in June 2000 and has worked for the society for 25 years. She has been instrumental in ensuring the continued profitability and financial health of the society.

JANET SLADE (Non-Exec): Aged 59. Non-executive. Appointed in March 1997. Currently sits on the risk, audit and compliance committee. She is an accountant specialising in social enterprise, co-operatives, not-for-profit, and now working for the Charities Commission.

HANLEY

ANN HENSHAW (Non-Exec): Aged 64. Joined in 2007. She is 64 with a distinguished career in business and is presently a family mediator as well as having a national role in appointments to the judiciary. She is chair of our remuneration committee and has specific board responsibility for overseeing our treating customers fairly strategy.

HARPENDEN

KATE WILSON (Non-Exec): Appointed May 2008. Aged 47. Sits on remuneration and nominations committee.

HINCKLEY & RUGBY

TERESA FRENCH (Non-Exec): Age 55. Joined board I November 2001. Director of Worcestershire Primary Care Trust.

IPSWICH

MICHELLE TENNENS (Non-Exec): Aged 44, joined the board on 30 November 2006 and is a member of the remuneration committee and a member of the chairman’s and nominations committee. A specialist in the field of marketing, branding and identity, internal and external communications, PR and strategy development. She is founding director of redPepper Marketing and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

SARAH EVANS (Non-Exec): Aged 47, appointed to the board on 30 November 2008 and is chairman of the audit and compliance committee. She is a chartered accountant and a former partner in the financial services practice of Ernst & Young. She is also chairman of The International Exhibition Co-operative Wine Society, a mutual.

LEEDS

CAROL KAVANAGH (Non-Exec): Aged 49, joined the board in December 2005. Sits on the remuneration committee. She is also a trustee of Leeds Building Society Staff Pension Scheme. Her 25 years’ business experience provides value to customers and staff alike. Her previous roles include group HR director at Storehouse Group, group HR director for Argos and she is currently executive group HR director for Travis Perkins. A firm supporter of the benefits of mutuality, she believes this is the key to the continuing success of the society and a major differentiator in the wider financial services sector.

KIM REBECCHI (Executive Director): Aged 45, became an executive director in December 2009. She sits on both the assets and liabilities committee and the group risk committee. She is also a trustee of Leeds Building Society Staff Pension Scheme. She joined the society in 1988 and held a number of roles before becoming a general manager in 1997 and then director of sales in 2007, with her responsibilities extended to include marketing in 2009. She is also chairwoman and director of Leeds Financial Services. She has been instrumental in the development of the society’s sales and distribution strategies in recent years and will continue to ensure that these remain appropriate. She is currently responsible for all the society’s sales channels including its national branch network, direct operation, intermediary team, overseas operation and Leeds Financial Services, as well as the society’s public relations, marketing and general insurance functions.

LOUGHBOROUGH

CAROLINE JOYCE (Executive Director): Aged 48. Joined the board in November 2003. Operations director.

CHERYL CLIFFORD (Non-Exec): Aged 54. Director of BGL.

MANCHESTER

SUE MOLLOY (Non-Exec): Aged 60. Joined board in 2007. She is a senior banking partner at a major Manchester law firm and chairs the society’s remuneration committee. She is also a member of the audit committee.

MANSFIELD

CHRISTINE MORRIS (Non-Exec): Aged 57, appointed to the board in May 2007. Currently chair of assets, liabilities and planning committee. She has enjoyed success in a number of high profile, board level marketing and commercial positions in the public and private sectors. She was commercial director of an executive agency of the Department for Transport until June 2006. She oversees policy on all matters associated with ‘treating customers fairly’ which ensures that TCF is embedded into the society’s culture.

MARKET HARBOROUGH

KERRY SPOONER (Non-Exec): Aged 50, a solicitor and former partner with Allen and Overy, who joined the board in February 2006. She is chair of the society’s remuneration committee and also sits on the audit and compliance committee and the nominations committee. She brings considerable legal and regulatory experience to the board.

MELANIE DUKE (Non-Exec): Aged 47, appointed to the board in January 2010. She has wide-ranging financial experience, with a particular focus on treasury matters. She is corporate treasurer for Gala Coral and sits on the society’s assets and liabilities committee.

MARSDEN

CHRISTIANA BUCHANAN (Non-Exec): Joined the board in 2004. Senior Crown prosecutor. Sits on audit, remuneration, assets and liabilities and nominations committees.

ALISON LEGG (Non-Exec): Joined the board in 2010. Corporate finance specialist. Sits on remuneration and assets and liabilities committees.

NATIONAL COUNTIES

POLLY WILLIAMS (Non-Exec): Aged 46, joined the board in November 2006. A qualified accountant with considerable knowledge and experience of the financial sector, notably whilst responsible for managing the audit of the global operations of one of the world’s largest banks. She was elected chairman of the society in October 2010 and is a member of the remuneration, nomination and risk committees. She is also a director of each of the society’s subsidiary companies.

NATIONWIDE

SUZANNA TAVERNE (Non-Exec): Member of remuneration committee and audit committee. Joined the board in 2005. She brings expertise in strategy, finance and management. She is currently a director of FCE Bank, a trustee of the Foundation for Credit Counselling and the Design Museum. She was formerly Chair of Gingerbread, operations director of Imperial College London, managing director of the British Museum, director of strategy at Pearson and finance director of The Independent. She also worked for Saatchi and Saatchi and S.G. Warburg.

LYNNE PEACOCK (Non-Exec): Member of remuneration committee and audit committee. Joined the board on 18 July 2011. Former UK chief executive of National Australia Bank (NAB) and chief executive of Woolwich. She has over 25 years’ senior management experience in a range of roles comprising brand development, mergers & acquisitions, change management and business transformation, including 15 years at board level. During her time at NAB, she was responsible for its UK businesses, consisting of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank. She became chief executive of Woolwich in October 2000 following its takeover by Barclays, having previously held a number of senior management and board positions, both before and after its conversion to a public listed company in 1997.

NEWBURY

HELEN WRIGHT (Non-Exec): Joined the board in October 2009. Chartered surveyor. Chairwoman of credit committee and member of strategic risk and remuneration and nomination committees.

NEWCASTLE

ANGELA RUSSELL (Executive Director): Appointed to board in July 2010. A chartered accountant and certified public accountant.

GILLIAN TIPLADY (Executive Director): Appointed to board in January 2011. A solicitor.

CATHERINE VINE-LOTT (Non-Exec): Appointed to board in January 2010. Ex Barclays Bank and Legal & General. Non-executive director of Openwork Holdings, Rathbone Brothers and Cranfield University.

NOTTINGHAM

JANE KIBBEY (Non-Exec): Aged 60, she has a wealth of experience gained in financial services and human resources. She has worked in a range of high profile companies, retiring as group human resources director for Prudential, a role she held for nine years.

PRINCIPALITY

JOANNE KENRICK (Non-Exec): Aged 44, joined the board in 2009. She is a member of the audit and nominations committees and brings to the board a strong background in marketing and customer service, gained across a range of well known retail and consumer businesses. Other directorships and appointments include: chief executive of Start Charity; director of MLC Contracting and director of 53 Rosslyn Hill Residents Association.

PROGRESSIVE

DARINA ARMSTRONG (Executive Director): Chief Executive. Joined board as finance director in 2005. Appointed chief executive in January 2011. Chairman of asset & liabilities committee and member of risk committee, remuneration committee and nominations committee. Aged 43.

JOAN SMYTH (Non-Exec): Chairman. Appointed to the board in 2001 and became chairman in 2005. Age 64. Chairman of nominations committee and the personnel & remunerations committee.

EDITH GOWDY (Non-Exec): Appointed to the board in 2008. Solicitor by profession and a partner in a local firm of solicitors. Expertise in commercial property, litigation and corporate finance, residential conveyancing, mortgage advice and probate. Member of audit committee and risk committee and attends the assets & liabilities committee. Age 34.

SAFFRON

JAN SMITH (Non-Exec): Age 64. Joined board in 2005. Vice chairman and senior independent director. On audit and credit committees. Also a non-executive director of society’s IFA subsidiary. Ex Lloyds Bank/TSB Bank/Mazda Car/RAC. Expertise in managing change, building brands, developing customer knowledge and loyalty.

SCOTTISH

ALEXA HENDERSON (Non-Exec): Aged 50, qualified as a chartered accountant and worked with KPMG and Arthur Andersen in Edinburgh and Melbourne, primarily in financial services audit. Former director of WM Company, provider of information services to investment funds. She has experience in investment, compliance, financial and general management which she brings to the board. She is also involved in the Stewart Ivory Financial Education initiative to raise financial awareness amongst young people. Joined the board in 2001 and has chaired the audit committee, the assets, liabilities & planning committee and is currently chairman of the board.

MOIRA SIBBALD (Non-Exec): Aged 52, joined the board in 2008. After qualifying as a solicitor in 1981 she specialised in commercial property. In 1990 she was appointed as secretary to a building society and was later promoted to general manager having responsibility at various times for mortgage and investment administration, compliance, governance, HR and customer service. She joined CALA Group, a residential property developer, in 2001 as legal counsel & company secretary. Her broad-ranging experience in property and financial services particularly strengthens the board’s expertise in customer service, compliance, risk and corporate governance.

SHEPSHED

VIRGINIA BOLTON (Non-Exec): Chairman since June 2007 having served as a non-executive director since 1999. She is an executive at a leading wealth management firm based in Nottingham. Having over 30 years’ experience, she brings to the board a wealth of knowledge relating to the financial services industry. She is a certified financial planner. Member of nomination, remuneration and risk committees.

CLARE MCKITTRICK (Non-Exec): Chartered accountant of 12 years, having qualified with PWC in the East Midlands. She has worked at Rolls Royce in Derby and Loughborough for the last 10 years and brings a variety of audit, reporoning and business experience to the board. Appointed in February 2010. Member of audit, policy and regulation, remuneration and risk committees.

LYNDA PARROTT (Executive Director): Specialised in lending and mortgage compliance. She has liaised with the society’s customers for over 20 years and has a valuable knowledge of the local housing market. Appointed to board in June 2003.

SKIPTON

SANDY KINNEY (Non-Exec): Joined the board in July 2003. She is chair of the audit committee and a member of both the nominations committee and remuneration committee. During her career as an accountant, she was a partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers and a director at KPMG. In June 2005, she was appointed by the Financial Services Authority as a non-executive director of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, completing her statutory six year term in June 2011. In September 2010, Sandy joined Irish Life & Permanent Group Holdings as a non-executive director.

STAFFORD RAILWAY

SUSAN WHITING (Executive Director): Aged 47, a chartered accountant. Joined board as deputy chief executive in in 2004. Became chief executive in January 2011.

TEACHERS

KAREN FLAHERTY (Executive Director): Aged 39, she joined the board in January 2009. As a qualified solicitor she brings legal and compliance expertise to the board. She also chairs the operational risk management committee and the credit committee.

TIPTON

BELINDA MORGAN (Non-Exec): Aged 51, joined board in December 2006. A chartered accountant. Chair of remuneration committee and member of audit & compliance, assets & liabilities and risk committees.

YORKSHIRE

LYNNE CHARLESWORTH (Non-Exec): Age 54. Joined the board in December 2006 and is chairman of the group risk committee and a trustee of the society’s pension scheme. She also oversees the group’s policy on ‘treating customers fairly’ on behalf of the board. Previously group risk manager of Abbey National. She is now managing director of private investment company, St. James Investments.

KATE BARKER (Non-Exec): Age 53. Joined the board on 5 November 2010 and is a member of the group risk committee. A member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) from 2001 to May 2010. Prior to her appointment to the MPC, she was chief economic adviser to the CBI. She is also non-executive director of Electra Partners and a senior adviser to Credit Suisse. She also has a background in housing as the author of major policy reviews for the previous government on housing supply and on planning. She is a former board member of the Homes and Communities Agency and in 2006 was awarded a CBE for services to social housing.

Cat owner thinks outside the box

Vicki Owen — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 23:03:19 +0000

By Vicki Owen

For most people, cleaning the cat litter tray is an unpleasant chore. For Alexandra von Zeichmann it inspired a business opportunity. She dreamed up the idea of a recyclable cat litter tray after her cat suddenly needed an indoor toilet after it went blind.

She says: ‘I decided to design my own plastic cat litter trays, but I found that making a plastic prototype cost £1,000 alone. I started using old Ikea boxes to make prototypes and thought: Why don’t I make them recyclable?’.

Alexandra’s origami-style recyclable cardboard cat toilet and sleeping pods firm Feloo, based in Maida Vale, London, cost £60,000 to set up.

The cardboard litter trays and sleeping pods can be folded and recycled with normal cardboard once the litter has been taken out.

She says: ‘When finished with each tray can be emptied, folded and recycled. Lids and scoops can also be recycled.’

According to Alexandra, the products are ideal for cat-owners who take their cats on holiday and need a tray at their destination, or for people who want as little contact as possible with soiled material.

Alexandra adds: ‘I got a small Government grant from the National Enterprise scheme, which they don’t do anymore. The £15,000 grant didn’t even cover the cost of the cardboard designer, but it did help a bit.’

Formerly running her own photographic advertising agency, Alexandra says she had no experience of manufacturing anything before she started work on Feloo last summer.

She says: ‘I knew I wanted to make it in the UK, and actually it turned out to be as cost-effective as going to China. Although manufacturing in China would have been cheaper, you still need to ship the product back to the UK and cardboard is quite heavy. Manufacturing in Britain has also allowed me to produce smaller quantities.’

Today Feloo products are sold though Amazon, petplanet.co.uk and pet shops and trade shows.

Alexandra says: ‘I would like to take on employees at some stage as it is a lot of work to do on my own. I want to expand the company and range and have lots of ideas for new products.’

Women in the Boardroom: RBS calls for push to get more women in boardrooms

Vicki Owen — Sat, 28 May 2011 23:35:29 +0000

By Vicki Owen

Royal Bank of Scotland Group will this week launch an initiative designed to increase the number of women working at senior corporate levels in Britain. Chris Sullivan, chief executive of RBS’s UK corporate banking division, says the programme, which has the support of companies such as Morrisons and Asda, is designed to tackle some of the challenges highlighted in Lord Davies of Abersoch’s Women on Boards report.

The report, which stopped short of urging the enforcement of quotas, called for ‘radical change in the mindset of the business community’ and urged firms to increase the percentage of women on their boards to 25 per cent by 2015.

Currently 15 FTSE 100 companies have no female directors at all and nearly half of all FTSE 250 companies do not have a woman in the boardroom.

Sullivan, who has teamed up with Heather Jackson, founder of a women’s business forum in Yorkshire, says: ‘What I am seeking to do is to get as many organisations as possible to prove the point that if you get more women to the top you are more likely to be successful. And I think that will pull other organisations to do it.’

He says there is evidence that some firms hit quotas by putting one woman on many boards. ‘The real issue is how many females have you got at every level of your organisation impacting on the decision-making and commercial success,’ he adds.

The new initiative will deliver events, seminars and mentoring across Britain. Jackson says: ‘Many women say they haven’t had the opportunity to share their problems. Our website will allow them to do so anonymously.’

Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes is being appointed as a non-executive director of TUI Travel’s education division this month.

Visit our Business Icons section for FMWF’s interview with Kelly.

Click here to visit the An Inspirational Journey website, RBS’ new initiative launched with Heather Jackson.

Companies in the FTSE 100 with no woman on their board:

Aggreko Plc

AMEC Plc

Antofagasta Plc

Autonomy Corp Plc

Essar Energy Plc

International Power Plc

Wood Group

Xstrata Plc

Vedanta Resources Plc

Fresnillo Plc

Glencore Plc

Randgold Resources Plc

Glencore International Plc

Kazakhmys

Women’s Social Leadership Awards shortlist announced

Vicki Owen — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:37:52 +0000

>> Click here to visit our dedicated Social Enterprise section.

By Vicki Owen

The finalists of the Women’s Social Leadership Awards – run by Ogunte, a business to help female social entrepreneurs – have been announced.

The awards were set up in 2007 to celebrate the achievements of women inventing innovative solutions to social and environmental issues.

Catherine Conway, founder of unpackaged organic producs firm Unpackaged, Becky Jones, founder of fashion firm whomadeyourpants? and Kathryn Loughnan, founder of a digital inclusion initiative DigiSteps, are among the women in the running to win an award.

Servane Mouazan, chief executive of Ogunte, says: ‘These finalists have all made an incredible impact on society through their innovative ideas, courage and sheer hard work. They have stepped out of the tramlines of convention and been brave enough to try something different.’

She adds: ‘There has been a lot of debate about creating a Big Society and how to do it. These women are showing how it is done and demonstrating that with generosity, focus, confidence and robust networks, you can achieve great and measurable social change.’

Three winners will be announced at an event at Ernst & Young’s offices on June 14.

>> For more info: ogunte.com.

The nine finalists:

Category: Social Business Leader of the Year

Catherine Conway | UK | www.beunpackaged.com

In 2006, Catherine set up a market stall and a year later opened a shop in London, selling unpackaged organic products. By asking customers to provide their own packaging Unpackaged estimates that each household shopping there saves on average £470 per annum and this also reduces the amount of packaging waste that goes to landfill.

Becky Jones | UK | whomadeyourpants.co.uk

In 2008, Becky Jones set up an ethical, fashion workers co-operative specialising in female underwear. She empowers marginalised women by providing employment, education, social and community space. Becky Jones says: ‘Nobody has the right to wear a cheap pair of knickers that means a child has had to work 14-hour days.’

Jess Cordingly | UK | www.futurefirst.org.uk

Jess Cordingly founded Future First, which is a social business working to revolutionise careers advice and build communities in schools across Britain. They do this by bringing former students back to their old schools and colleges to inspire, advise and guide current pupils.

Category: Leader in Charities, Networks and Campaigns for Social Change 2011

Rioch Edwards-Brown | UK | The Five Percenters

For 14 years, without pay or funding, Rioch has run The Five Percenters – a 24 hour free advisory service for families who have been wrongly accused (1 in 20 cases) of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). Rioch is campaigning for 24:14 – a nationwide protocol in all UK hospitals to allow doctors to tell the difference between abuse and non-abuse.

Jo Manuel | UK | The Special Yoga Centre

Jo founded The Special Yoga Centre in 2004 to give yoga therapy for children with special needs a nurturing and inclusive home and to make yoga accessible to all. Her aim is to develop and implement yoga therapy programmes that allow all children to receive the significant benefits of yoga and help them in reaching their fullest potential. Thanks to the Special Yoga Centre, these children are calmer, sleep better, and are more able to focus and integrate socially. Samantha Cameron is an Honorary Patron of The Special Yoga Centre.

Kathryn Loughnan | UK | DigiSteps/Internet Rangers

DigiSteps bring about digital inclusion for those most alienated from modern day technologies by providing one to one training sessions for would be silver surfers. Under Kathryn’ s supervision, as their teacher, the self-styled ‘Internet Rangers’, four teenagers from a school, developed a course specifically targeted at training older people. Their venture is now supported by Martha Lane Fox.

Category: Leader in the Workplace 2011

Lina Maria Useche Jaramillo | Brazil | www.impulso.org.br

Lina created Impulso, providing small loans to people who lack credit history and therefore cannot meet even the most minimal qualifications to gain access to traditional credit. Impulso brings financial and technical support to low-income micro-entrepreneurs while linking them to ‘Social Angel Investors’ all over the world.

Allison Hoffman | Cambodia | Pari Project

At 21, Allie left Chicago for Cambodia, where she started the Pari Project. The organization works with more than 30 NGOs to help them raise funds, become more transparent and improve their services. Most of their work is based in Cambodia and they are now expanding to help projects in Africa. Pari is directed and staffed by a team of socially minded development professionals, who have dedicated their lives and their work to the fight against poverty.

Liz Douglas | UK | CIC ‘The Roots Project’

Since 2009 Liz has been breaking cycles of generations of poverty, abuse, neglect and exploitation within more than 600 vulnerable families in estates in Bolton, next to Manchester. She supports their transition back into mainstream society, enabling some of them to start their own enterprises. Within these estates groups have been created including parent and toddler groups, women’s groups, elite groups (over 50’s), and ‘kidz’ clubs, all of which are resident-led and mentored by the Roots Project.

Inspiring Women Awards finalists announced

Vicki Owen — Wed, 11 May 2011 08:27:48 +0000

By Alex Norman and Vicki Owen

The finalists for the Inspiring Women Awards 2011 have been announced.

The finalists, in business, creative and media, social entrepreneurship and community categories, will be interviewed and the winners will be announced at the inspiring Women awards lunch on 20 May at the Midland Hotel, Manchester, and broadcast live on BBC radio Manchester.

The shortlist:

Business

Lianna Champ – Owner and MD of Champ funeral services

Jenny Johnson – Owner and MD of Kids Allowed

Carolyn Mellor – MD of homes4u

Creative and Media

Ruth Gould – CEO of DaDa Disability and Deaf Arts

Janet Harrison – Creative director of Cofilmic

Sita Williams – Drama producer and founder of RSJ Films

Social Entrepreneur

Vanessa Augustus – Owner and director of the Social Solutions Academy

Helen Charles Morgan – Chairman of the Institute of Recruiters

Claire Fryer – Owner of Mosaic Community Care

Community

Raksha Pattini – Regional director of Business in the Community

Dr Sylvia Sham – Director of Wai Yin Chinese Women Society

Bernadette Wood – Manager of Talbot House

>> For more information or tickets to the event itself, visit the Inspiring Women Awards website: www.inspiringawards.co.uk

International Women’s Month events at the British Library

Vicki Owen — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:06:06 +0000

>> Click here to read about successful women or here for more about starting a business.

By Vicki Owen

In celebration of International Women’s Month, which started this week, the British Library, London, is running a number of exciting events to showcase the achievements of female entrepreneurs and help others emulate their successes.

Ready to take on the world conference
Mon 14 March, 09.30 – 16.30
£85

Come along to this conference, hosted by Women Unlimited, to hear from fantastic female speakers and network with other like-minded delegates.

Speakers include:

Lara Morgan, founder and CEO of Pacific Direct, making luxury toiletries for the hotel trade
Lisa Irlam, founder of Swimovate, producing the Poolmate training device for swimmers
Jessica Huie, founder of Colour Blind Cards, which makes ethnically-diverse greeting cards
Rachel Elnaugh, founder of Red Letter Days and a small business mentor
Tamsin Fox-Davies, founder of Enthuse Marketing, providing marketing advice for small businesses

Find out more and book your place

Mothers of Invention

Wed 16 March, 18.15 – 21.00
£10 (concessions £7.50)

Natasha Kaplinsky will moderate as four exciting female entrepreneurs share the secrets of their success and take questions from the audience in the latest Inspiring Entrepreneurs event.

Speakers:

Sian Sutherland co-founded Mama Mio skincare five years ago. Mama Mio is now distributed in 2,500 stores and five spas in eight different countries.
Sara Murray is an entrepreneur and businesswoman who founded the price comparison website confused.com and developed ‘buddi’, a GPS tracking device for vulnerable people.
Vanessa Heywood created Tiny Mites Music in 2004 to provide music and drama classes for pre-school children.
Shazia Awan is the founder and Director of Peachy Pink, a ladies shaping and anti cellulite underwear brand that launched in Debenhams in 2009 and is now also stocked in House of Fraser.

Find out more and book your place

Ask an Expert mentoring sessions with Rachel Elnaugh

Meet with Rachel for an hour-long advice session and get her insights into starting up, and making an impact, on a shoestring budget.

Find out more and enquire about a session

Female entrepreneurship set to nearly double over the next 50 years

Vicki Owen — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:04:19 +0000

By Vicki Owen

Britain can expect to see an explosion of female enterprise over the next few decades, according to a report out today.

Dr Alexandra Beauregard of the London School of Economics, who produced The Avon Inspiring Tomorrow’s Women Report, says the number of female entrepreneurs looks set to nearly double.

Of the 2000 16-24 year-olds surveyed, almost two thirds of the females expressed an interest in setting up their own business.

Almost three quarters of the young women said being their own boss appealed to them and 85 per cent said it is important for them to have a job in which they can achieve something significant. Almost two thirds said they are willing to work two jobs at once.

The research suggests the influence of the family is the key driver for the majority of young women. Well over half consider their parents to be role models in terms of work and career. In addition, with many having seen their mothers strive to marry career ambitions with family demands, a desire for a greater balance between work and personal life was expressed.

Dr Alexandra Beauregard of LSE said: ‘In the harsh light of today’s economic realities, Avon’s research reveals young women are well aware of the challenges that face them, and are prepared to meet those challenges head-on. If the world is where we seek our fortune, then this is the “world is my oyster” generation.

‘With hard work and determination, these women will prise open the shell of the economic downturn and extract the pearl of satisfying work combined with a meaningful family life.’

Karren Brady, businesswoman and Avon mentor said: ‘Avon’s report shows that young women are more determined than ever to be in control of their own destiny. As a result they are defining the next generation of entrepreneurship and rewriting the rules in this perceived male dominated world.

“It’s great to see Avon encouraging the next generation of female industry leaders and I’m proud to be playing a role in inspiring the enterprising businesswomen of tomorrow.’

Anna Segatti, group Vice President of Avon Western Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: ‘Despite the current global climate of economic strife, young women are still maintaining a sense of entitlement, which is fantastic to see.

‘It is this belief in opportunity, combined with learnings gleaned from the experience of the generation before that will help propel these newly identified “world is my oyster” entrepreneurs to success.’