Forward Ladies presents top female entrepreneurs for International Women’s Day event
ENTREPRENEURS are taking centre stage at The Leeds Club in March, as business organisation Forward Ladies announces the keynote speakers for its International Women’s Day event.
Having previously hosted speakers including Germaine Greer, Cherie Blair, Shami Chakrabarti, Nicola Horlick, Theresa May and Yvette Cooper, Forward Ladies has pulled in two more high-profile businesswomen to discuss their lives and careers at the event.
Forward Ladies is welcoming award-winning businesswomen Laura Tenison MBE, founder of Jojo Maman Bebe, as well as Jacqui Miller-Charlton MBE, director of Miller International, a company that supplies the construction industry.
The lunchtime event will be held at The Leeds Club on Friday 3 March, in partnership with TheBusinessDesk.com.
Ms Tenison launched her company in 1993 and has now extended her range to fashionable maternity wear, a Breton-inspired children’s collection and original nursery products, gifts and toys.
She previously ran a small fashion company before setting up a French property business based in Brittany.
With start-up capital of just £50,000 and only two part-time members of staff, Ms Tenison employs more than 700 people and has grown her company to a forecasted gross turnover of £50m in the current financial year.
The company, now with 68 stores nationwide, continues to expand organically in the UK and via trade sales to more than 60 countries across the world.
Outside of the office, Ms Tenison launched The Nema Foundation, a charity which builds schools in Mozambique.
Griselda Togobo, managing director of Forward Ladies said: “Laura is very inspiring and down to earth. She’s Welsh and has kept her business in Wales, employing around 400 people there and in the rest of the UK.
“With a hands on approach to life, she is supportive of small business and women and does a lot for both.”
Jacqui Miller-Charlton is a member of the Miller International Board and a shareholder, alongside her two brothers. She recently stepped back from operational duties after 33 years but remains a brand ambassador for Miller.
Griselda Togobo said: “Our objective is always to inspire and encourage our members with access to successful women who have been there and done that. Laura and Jacqui’s stories are fascinating and our members and guests will recognise the struggles of balancing their successful careers and growing a business with juggling motherhood and family life.
“These women have been hugely successful – as recognised by their many business awards – but they are also passionate about ethical business practices and keen to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
The event is open to both members and non-members of Forward Ladies and can be booked HERE or the Eventbrite page HERE .
