Shape the Future of Women in Business!
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Mark your calendars for January 22nd 2025, at the Legacy Centre – this is an event you don't want to miss!
Building upon the tremendous success of our Women in Business lunches, get ready for an electrifying half-day event that will ignite your passion and expand your horizons!
This dynamic conference will be packed with invaluable networking opportunities and feature two powerful panels tackling breaking stereotypes and overcoming adversity. Plus, dive into an inspiring conversation about equity in the workplace.
Prepare to be inspired as you hear from influential female business leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs from across the country, sharing their unique journeys and insights.
This event is not just about learning; it's about recognising and celebrating the incredible achievements and contributions of women in the business world.
Don't miss out on the Doncaster Women in Business Conference – it's set to be an extraordinary event and is a day you won't want to miss!
Meet Our Conference Hosts
Amelia Banful
Head of Business Strategy at Enviro Electronics
Amelia is the Head of Business Strategy at Enviro Electronics, an organisation committed to sustainable recycling, and she has led the business to win numerous awards.
She has over 20 years experience in project management and has operated in various fields including health and construction. Amelia is also a qualified Change Practitioner and specialises in helping organisations to effectively assess and mitigate against the possible impacts of change.
Outside work, Amelia works with a number of organisations to mentor young people, providing purpose and helping them to become a positive influence in society. She is a member of the Doncaster UTC Employer Advisory Committee and is part of the leadership team for Father's Heart Centre, a church in Birmingham. Amelia is also very passionate about working with women so they feel empowered to achieve their ambitions in life.
Gemma Peebles
Founder & CEO of Harrison College
Through her career in education she has worked with young people to achieve their dreams and aspirations. She has always focused on the right person, the right course and the right place. The moto of Harrison College is ‘Your Future, Your Choice’.
Gemma and her team encourage all the young people to take ownership of their future and make choices that will start them on their journey. Gemma is also working with the business community both as a patron and non-executive board member of Doncaster Chamber of Commerce to encourage employers to tap into hidden talent, those currently not in work that are neurodiverse. Gemma also sits on the SYSAB and Education Advisory Board for Skills Street.
Abi Hookway
Director of Redmayne Smith
If you’re considering property investment but need somebody to cut through the noise and tell you what’s really happening in the property market, Abi Hookway has the insights for you.
Abi Hookway took her life from unsatisfied corporate career climber to multi-million-pound property investor in less than 5 years.
By educating herself about property investment and seizing opportunities with both hands, Abi has become a highly successful property investor and has the passive monthly income necessary to live the life that she wants.
Having developed experience in a number of strategies, including property flipping, buy-to-let, serviced accommodation and commercial property, Abi has more knowledge than most about how to choose property investments that grow your portfolio AND your income.
Meet Our Conference Panellists and Speakers
Building a Thriving Multigenerational Workforce
Multigenerational workforces offer a diversity of perspectives, leading to more creative problem-solving and innovation.
Different age groups approach challenges in unique ways, encouraging a dynamic and well-rounded work environment. Each generation tends to possess specific skills that can complement others.
Different generations can, however, communicate in distinct and different ways which can also present challenges as well as opportunities.
This panel will cover the challenges, opportunities and ways a multigenerational force can work together to build a strong team and more successful business.
Amanda Whitehead-Foltyn
Customer Experience Manager, Polypipe Building Products
Amy Smith
Trade Channel Director, Polypipe Building Products
Natalie Smith
Assembly Production Manager, Polypipe Building Products
Donna Cook
Site Manufacturing Manager, Polypipe Building Products
Lavinia Stevenson
Tooling Designer, Polypipe Building Products
Lavinia Stevenson has consistently demonstrated dedication and expertise over a seven-year career. Starting as an Apprentice Toolmaker, she has progressed through hard work and a commitment to professional development. Recently, she successfully completed a 2:1 degree in Manufacturing Technology, specializing in Mould and Tooling Design, while simultaneously contributing significantly to major projects.
Breaking Financial Barriers for Female-Led Businesses
Statistics show that women are more reluctant to seek business finance with a lack of confidence, caution to risk and fear of being rejected cited as reasons.
There is also borrowing discouragement among female entrepreneur meaning a lack of female entrepreneurs along with female investors (only 14% of female angel investors).
This panel will also cover the routes to go down and support available.
Vicky Mears
Director of UK Network for the Midlands and North of England, British Business Bank
Vicky leads a team of Senior Managers across the region. The UK Network seeks to enhance business finance ecosystems across the UK so smaller businesses, wherever they are, can grow and prosper. It also helps the Bank develop a deeper understanding of small business finance markets in all parts of the UK so that, ultimately, the Bank can improve its support to smaller businesses everywhere.
Dr Pretty Basra
Consultant Director Optometrist at Edwards & Walker Opticians
Dr Pretty Basra is a serial entrepreneur, consultant optometrist, podcast host and business mentor, who is on a mission to inspire other women to overcome challenges and build successful businesses.
She’s been recognised as one of the top 5 optometrists in the UK no less than 3 times. Her entrepreneurial journey includes building multiple six and five-figure businesses and more recently launching a podcast to talk about her journey and speak to other successful female entrepreneurs to help and empower other women in business.
How to Attract & Retain Talent
By creating a supportive culture where women feel welcomed and encouraged to progress their careers, organisations can tackle gender diversity and attract female talent.
In order to retain female talent, companies need to consider the gap that might exist between how the culture looks and how it feels.
Developing female talent can give companies a competitive edge as the talent pool becomes more intense with ambitious, career driven professionals.
Jay Bhayani
Owner, Bhayani Law
Jay is a specialist employment law solicitor and an expert in her field. She has over 25 years’ experience of dealing with all aspects of HR and employment matters and specialises in complex and sensitive issues, using her experience and knowledge to find tactical solutions.
Jay has established an impressive reputation as one of the leading employment lawyers in the Yorkshire region and has won various accolades including Yorkshire lawyer employment lawyer of the year, ABDN Professional of the Year and shortlisted for the Yorkshire and Humberside Institute of Director’s business adviser of the year award and the 2021 Enterprise Nation Top UK HR Advisor award. The firm, under her direction, has won the Sheffield Business Awards for its “Excellence in Professional Services” and in 2023 won Best HR or Recruitment Business in the unLTD Awards.
Jodi Cooling
People Director, UK Retail, Clear Group
Debbie Waddington
Group HR Director, Keepmoat
Debbie became the Group HR Director in May 2017, having joined Keepmoat as the HR Reward Director in 2015. She has spent the majority of her career within major listed businesses including BT, HBOS, Aviva and Lloyds Bank. Having started her career in various operational roles progressing to a senior level, she then moved into HR and now has 20 years wide-ranging, senior level HR experience both corporately and regionally.
Anne-Marie O'Hagan
HR Partner, Ison & Harrison
Impact Beyond the Workplace
Many women not only undertake challenging careers or running their own business but also give back to their local community through volunteering, sitting on boards and being trustees & governors.
The UK has cemented itself as a world-leader for women's representation on top company boards, with new data released 28th February revealing that 40.2% of FTSE 350 Board positions are now held by women.
We have come a long way but how can we further inspire, support and equip women to have the confidence to offer their expertise and experiences in environments outside of their workplace.
Rebecca Ganz
Non-executive Director, Entrepreneur & C-Suite adviser and Women on Boards Lead for the North
Rebecca Ganz (aka Becks) is an ex-pat who successfully kickstarted her Non-Exec career in August 2018. With a range of Chair, Non-Exec & Advisory Board roles, which span Education, Institutional Health and Business sectors, Becks knows what it takes to strategically build a Non Exec portfolio, while continuing to grow her Entrepreneur and C-Suite coaching practice. Becks is Non-Exec of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust & Blueskeye AI Ltd, Trustee of Leodis Multi Academy Trust and Advisory Board Member for Patchwork Health. As part of her Board roles, she Chairs various committees relating to transformation, strategy, finance, risk & remuneration.
Charlotte Diamond
Owner, Sidekick PR
Charlotte Dimond is a highly experienced public relations professional with more than 25 years in the industry. As a director at Sidekick PR, Charlotte has played a pivotal role in shaping the agency's strategic direction. As a CIPR chartered public relations practitioner, she is recognised for her commitment to ethics, leadership and strategic thinking.
In addition to her professional work, Charlotte has an academic career, working as an associate lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University for the past 15 years, where she shares her extensive knowledge and passion for PR with the next generation of practitioners.
Akeela Din Mohammed
Deputy Lieutenant
Akeela is has a broad range of experience in various sectors. She is an independent consultant specializing in community engagement, a co-chair of the Inclusion and Fairness Forum, director of HealthyHer, and a trustee for South Yorkshire Bereavement Trust and Doncaster Conversation Club.
Akeela has experience as the director TEDx Doncaster, is a NIHR Research Champion and a British Fencing Coordinator for Muslim girls in Doncaster, Bradford, and Birmingham. Additionally, Akeela is the former director of ABDN Asian Business Development Network and a former owner of two day nurseries
Sarah Burton
Partner, Flint Bishop
Sarah Burton is a Partner in the Commercial Dispute Resolution practice at Flint Bishop, a multi-award-winning law firm with offices in Derby, Birmingham and Leeds. With over 25 years of experience, Sarah has a strong track record in commercial litigation, specialising in complex, high-value cases, often with a focus on property-related disputes.
Before joining Flint Bishop, she served as a Dispute Resolution Partner at Keebles and was based in Doncaster for more than ten years, transitioning to Knights after their acquisition of the firm in 2021. Sarah’s expertise spans both UK and offshore jurisdictions, and she is known for her commitment to developing talent and fostering strong client relationships.
