Celebrating the contribution of women with a champagne
breakfast
International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated around the
world. The occasion is marked annually in the City of London where
we use the opportunity to acknowledge women's success and
contribution to the workplace and society.
International Women's Day 2012
When? 9 March 2012 8-11am.
Where? The Great Hall, Guildhall, City of
London.
If you are interested in joining us at this year’s event, please
complete the appropriate booking forms below.
IWD Corporate Invitation (PDF,
51kb)
IWD Corporate Booking form (PDF,
86kb)
IWD Individual Booking Form (PDF,
72kb)
International Women’s Day 2011
Following the overwhelming success of previous International
Women's day events the 2011 breakfast event was probably the best
yet and sold out quickly in traditional style. It was held on the
morning of Friday 11 March at the Guildhall, London. The event
raised over £28,000 for national domestic violence charity Refuge,
who help over 1600 women and children escape domestic violence
every day.
The event began with a champagne breakfast and a chance to view
a variety of informative stalls as well as network with men and
women from organisations around the City. To encourage guests to
talk to people they hadn't met before, each was provided with a
networking card, challenging them to find an individual to
fit each of a range of categories. Once completed, the card
became a raffle ticket, with a chance to make the event even more
special by winning one of several amazing prizes.
The event this year was chaired by BBC News presenter and Refuge
patron Fiona Bruce. It started on a solemn note as Nav Jagpal told
the story of his sister, who committed suicide as the result of
years of abuse at the hands of her husband. After this
very serious message had sunk in a variety of guest
speakers spoke upliftingly about the success they have
enjoyed in their careers and their individual journeys to the
positions they hold today. The speeches were followed by giving out
the raffle prizes generously donated by a variety of companies
before a final toast to International Women's Day ending the
event on a high.
This year saw around 400 delegates attending the event, the
biggest year yet.
If you would like to receive early information about next
year's event please
contact safercity@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
This year's speakers
Diana Vernon - Headmistress of the City of London School
for Girls.
Lesley McLeod - Executive Director of
Communications at the British Bankers Association.
Claire Ighodaro CBE - Board member and
Non-executive Director at Lloyd's of London, the Lending
Standards Board and the British Council. She is also a Council
Member of the Open University and Chair of the Lloyds Audit
Committee, the OU Audit Committee, the LSB Audit Committee and
the British Council Audit Committee.
The Charity - Refuge
Sponsorship funds raised go directly to Refuge - the national
domestic violence charity. Every day Refuge supports over 1,600
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 to carry out their vital work. See
www.refuge.org.uk for more information or
to make a donation.
The Committee
Organisations including the City of London Police and City of
London Corporation came together to form a committee dedicated to
celebrating the achievements of women in the City of London with an
annual event for the United Nations International Women's Day
(IWD). The committee set out to deliver a unique celebration of IWD
in the City in the grand surroundings of the Guildhall.
Five years later, at the 100th anniversary of IWD, the committee
can celebrate its success in seeing the event grow from 150
delegates to around 400 delegates today.
The committee who organise the event annually in addition to
their daily work commitments consist of the following members:
Lorraine Cussen
Superintendent, City of London Police
Sue Alexander
Global Co-ordinator, HSBC Climate Partnership, Group Corporate
Sustainability
Jemma Armstrong
Community Safety Officer, Safer City Partnership
Andrea Berkoff
Community Safety Manager, Safer City Partnership
Joanna David
Director of JDHR Solutions Ltd
Alison Gowman
Partner, DLA PIPER UK LLP
Belinda Harding (MBE)
Safer City Wards, Snow Hill Police Station
Juliet Brown
Police Constable, City of London Police
Liz Weston
First Aid Nursery Yeomanry (Princess Royal's Volunteer
Corps)