People gathered at event to celebrate International Women’s Day at an event organised by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Knights.
Businesswomen from across Cumbria were welcomed to the North Lakes Hotel & Spa in Penrith on Friday.
The day kicked off with a welcome led by leadership coach, Laura Cadman.
People were asked to get up out of their seats to express appreciation for one another by giving out compliments and stickers
Once back at their seats, the audience then listened to local businesswoman Kathryn Graves deliver a captivating keynote speech sharing insights from her remarkable career, from reaching the top of the male-dominated security industry to returning to her home of Penrith and buying and running The Toffee Shop.
Kathryn also touched upon the evolution of International Women’s Day and strategies for promoting gender equality and diversity within businesses.
Subsequent workshops offered valuable learning opportunities for attendees.
Joanne Holborn, employment partner at Knights, shed light on upcoming changes to family-friendly legislation, coming into effect from April.
Leadership coach Jen Grange delved into the power of harnessing feminine qualities and strengths to introduce fresh perspectives on leadership and work.
After a networking lunch, the day’s workshops culminated with a session led by Judith Cantrell, exploring strategies for improving team performance through an innovative approach to team meetings.
In the afternoon, participants reconvened for a panel discussion featuring local businesswomen Shiby Bernard, of McMenon Engineering, Heather Grisedale, of The Harrison Network, Collette Butterworth, of Rothwell Enterprises Ltd and Jennifer Cormack, of Windermere Lake Cruises.
The panelists shared candid insights from their professional journeys, offering practical advice on navigating challenges such as negotiating pay rises, combating imposter syndrome, and going for a promotion.
Lesley Robinson, head of business support at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “We held an absolutely amazing, inspiring and empowering event to mark this year’s International Women’s Day.
“There were many open and honest discussions throughout the day and such a buzz in the room. The day had something for everyone and we’ve received such lovely feedback – keep an eye out for details of next year’s event which will be announced soon!”
Cumbria’s International Women’s Day 2024 was sponsored by Knights, Laura Cadman Ltd, Creative Hutch and David Allen IT Solutions.
