This year's International Women's Day event sold
out in record time, with many people being added to a waiting list
in the hope of securing a last minute place. With
unprecedented interest in tickets this year, the lucky delegates
who managed to get themselves a seat before the event sold out were
treated to a fantastic occasion.
370 delegates networked, listened and laughed during
the breakfast held in the wonderful surroundings of the Old
Library and Great Hall. International Women’s Day is
celebrated across the world in March every year, and the City’s
event, co-sponsored by HSBC, celebrated the contribution of women
in the Square Mile.
The event started with a buffet breakfast and the chance to
network with other women and men from organisations across the City
whilst looking at a range of informative stands in the Old Library.
The delegates were then called through to the Great Hall where Jo
Brand, who was made a Freeman of the City for her involvement with
last year’s event, compered a morning of inspirational
speeches.
Fiona Bowman, Senior Facilities Manager at Addleshaw Goddard LLP,
gave a powerful speech about her experiences of escaping domestic
violence. She highlighted the positive work of the Refuge charity,
for which the event has raised over £20,000. Alexandra Sinton,
Colette O’Shea and Ruth Lea, three high profile women from the
City, then spoke about their journeys to reach the successful
positions they hold today and shared their top tips for
success.
Jo Brand peppered the event with her own inimitable humour,
which had the crowd shedding tears of laughter, whilst reinforcing
the serious message of the need to support Refuge in their work
with victims of domestic violence and to support each other to
reach our goals. A champagne toast to International Women’s Day
then heralded the networking prize draw and the end of a very
enjoyable morning.
This year’s speakers
Fiona Bowman MBA MBIFM - Senior Facilities
Manager for Addleshaw Goddard LLP will be speaking about her
experiences of escaping domestic violence on behalf of Refuge
Ruth Lea - Director of Global Vision and a
Non-Executive Director and Economic Advisor to the Arbuthnot
Banking Group.
Colette O’Shea - Head of Development, London
Portfolio, Land Securities.
Alexandra Sinton - Vice President, UK Credit Sales
at Royal Bank of Canada.
The charity - Refuge
Sponsorship funds raised went directly to Refuge - the national
domestic violence charity. Every day Refuge supports over 1,000
women and children through emergency accommodation, practical and
emotional support and community based outreach services. The funds
raised by The City of London's International Women's Day event help
them carry out their vital work. See
www.refuge.org.uk
Comments about the event
"The speeches were very good, I found all very interesting and
fun. Food was lovely."
"Lovely venue-loved Jo brand. I think she set the tone
brilliantly. Fiona Bowman was a fantastic speaker too…a great role
model for speaking form the heart and communicating clearly. Thank
you for organising the event."
"Very inspirational speakers – It just shows we have the power
to do anything! A very enjoyable morning. Thank you and well
done."
"My first event and it was exciting and it exceeded my
expectations. Jo brand was brilliant and so were all the other
speakers. Thank you."
View comments from 2009's guests and an article
about the event (11kb)
View more photos of 2009's speakers
Register your interest for 2011
The event in 2011 will be the 100th anniversary of the
first International Women's Day. Tickets and corporate tables
for the City of London event sell out extremely quickly so make
sure you let us know that you're interested by emailing us at
safercity@cityoflondon.gov.uk