Tag Archives: female

Five Times ASP World Champion Stephanie Gilmore Joins Roxy Surf Team

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Roxy announces five-time Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Champion surfer, Stephanie Gilmore, is joining the ROXY Surf Team. ROXY, the world’s first and leading active board lifestyle brand for women and girls, has a long history of being a pioneering force within female action sports. Stephanie is a natural fit for the ROXY brand – a world-class, trailblazing athlete, who is the only surfer to ever have won a world title in her rookie year.

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Stephanie Gilmore, 25, was born and raised in New South Wales, Australia. She was awarded ASP World Champion Titles in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012. Additional victories include three Hawaiian Triple Crown wins in 2008, 2009 and 2010. In 2011, she also won the prestigious ESPY Award, Female Action Sports Person of the Year, and was awarded the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year in 2010.

Stephanie’s move to the ROXY team is a natural transition for her. She has long admired ROXY’s position as both a leader and pioneer within women’s surfing. Of the announcement, Stephanie stated, “ROXY epitomizes the image and lifestyle I live, both in and out of competition. I’m excited to join forces with such an iconic brand during this powerful time in female surfing.”

 

BlackBerry targets the best and brightest women in the UK for BlackBerry Scholars program

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aliciakeysBlackBerry Scholars Program – a multi-level strategy to engage young women across the globe in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

BlackBerry is reaching out to women in the UK to urge them to apply for the new BlackBerry Scholars Program, an initiative designed to inspire women globally to enter and develop careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Led by BlackBerry Global Creative Director, Alicia Keys the BlackBerry Scholars program will offer ten full, four year university scholarships to outstanding female candidates. The BlackBerry Scholars Program is available to women across the UK and will provide scholarships to outstanding applicants who are seeking degrees at accredited local colleges and universities in the areas of STEM across the UK.

“Women are underrepresented in fields of science and technology, and we feel strongly that it’s time to drive a change,” said BlackBerry Global Creative Director, Alicia Keys. “It’s important to connect the dots for young women in school and college, and show them that careers in science and technology are within their reach. And when women do land these jobs, it’s vital they receive the mentoring and support they need to advance in their careers. I’m proud BlackBerry is demonstrating leadership in women’s education, both in school and in the workplace, and giving back to its most loyal users in such a profound way.”

Applications are now open to candidates in the UK, who are interested in the scholarship, and will close on June 26 2013. The scholars will be selected by a panel of inspirational and accomplished women, led by Alicia Keys, who will recruit candidates based on their academic merit and passion for entering the mobile computing industry.

This scholarship program is the first step in BlackBerry’s long-term commitment and multi-tiered strategy to engage young women at every step of their education from school to college, and as they rise through their careers. As more than 55% of BlackBerry customers are women, BlackBerry aims to champion this generation of female leaders as they strive to achieve their ambitions in this highly-competitive industry.

For those interested application is now open and will close on June 26, 2013. For more information about the program, eligibility requirements, and how to apply, please visit www.blackberry.com/scholars.  Please spread the word on Twitter by using #BBScholars.

Margaret Thatcher Dies At 87

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margaretthatcherMargaret Thatcher died today after suffering a stroke. She was 87.

The former grocers daughter was Britain’s first and only female Prime Minister. Lord Bell, her spokesman said: “It is with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their mother Baroness Thatcher died peacefully following a stroke this morning. A further statement will be made later.”

Lady Thatcher will have a ceremonial funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral with full military honours.

Prime Minister David Cameron gave his tribute: “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Lady Thatcher. We have lost a great leader, a great Prime Minister and a great Briton.”

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: “Margaret Thatcher was one of the defining figures in modern British politics.

“Whatever side of the political debate you stand on, no-one can deny that as prime minister she left a unique and lasting imprint on the country she served.

Liberal Democrat MP Martin Horwood tweeted: “Sad news about Baroness Thatcher. Don’t miss her policies but a towering figure in 20th c British politics, & made history UK’s 1st woman PM.”

Conservative MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston Zac Goldsmith tweeted: “There’s a reason every aspiring leader wanted to be photographed alongside Lady T. A giant, not just of the C20 but in our country’s history.”

Tom McPhail, Head of Pensions Research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said her government was responsible for the launch of Personal Pensions in July 1988 and for the scrapping of compulsory occupational pension scheme membership, in April 1988. Her political ideology emphasising individual rights and responsibilities, rather than collectivism (“there’s no such thing as society”) can still be seen today. Pension provision may be focused through the workplace but with the end of final salary pensions and the move to money purchase arrangements, the question of what people get to live on in retirement is increasingly dependent on the decisions which they take for themselves.

What are your views on Margaret Thatcher? Do you think she was a good Prime Minister? Let us know.

 

 

Dress for Success Celebrity Online Auction on VestiaireCollective.com

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Frost Loves that Rachel Weisz, Davina McCall, Trinny Woodall, Sophie Dahl, Jasmine Guinness and Bay Garnett donate treasured pieces from their wardrobes to women’s charity Dress for Success with an exclusive online auction on Vestiaire Collective starting on December 21st

 

This Christmas, UK A-list celebrities Rachel Weisz, Davina McCall, Trinny Woodall, Sophie Dahl, Jasmine Guinness and super-stylist Bay Garnett are offering the opportunity to buy coveted designer pieces from their own personal collections. The celebrities are partnering with online fashion retailer VestiaireCollective.com, the destination online store for pre-loved high-end designer fashion and the platform to sell and update your wardrobe, with all proceeds from sales going to the charity, Dress for Success.

 

From the 21st December to the 31st of December, visitors to Vestiaire Collective will have the opportunity to buy one amazing item per day  – with a new item becoming available for sale each day. Details of which items are available for purchase each day and at what time, will be available on the Vestiaire Collective site.

 

Proceeds from the sale will go entirely to Dress for Success – the charity that helps women on low incomes get back into employment and become financially independent. Dress for Success provide interview clothes and interview training to help women feel more confident and start to believe in their own ability to succeed and move on with their lives. One in two of the women the charity helps, gets the job.

 

Among the items being auctioned are Bay Garnett’s Joseph leopard fur wrap, Jasmine Guinness’ vintage leopard-print jacket, YSL heels from Trinny Woodall and a custom-made leather jacket, designed by Michelle Banarse for Davina McCall.

 

‘Whether you are a celebrity, a Vestiaire Collective community member or a client of Dress for Success, the confidence and self-esteem gained from smart clothing is something we are unified in understanding’ said Shannon Edwards, Managing Director, Vestiaire Collective UK. ‘We are grateful to our Style Advisor Bay Garnett for bringing together an inspiring group of women donating to our charitable partner, Dress for Success London’

 

‘In my years as a stylist I’ve seen the transformative impact of clothing on the self-esteem of even the most confident women in the world’, said stylist and Vestiaire Collective style advisor Bay Garnett, ‘so to be able to support an organisation that provides this type of head start to women in need is a great reward.’

 

For the opportunity to purchase one of these unique one-off pieces please log on to Vestiaire Collective on the 21st December to check out the sale www.vestiairecollective.com

 

Buyers will have until the 31st December to purchase a celebrity item and support a worthwhile cause – but you’ll need to be quick as there’s only one piece per day! With the New Year approaching we hope to help those looking for new opportunities to change their lives.

 

www.dressforsuccess.org.uk

JAMIE LAING RECRUITS NEW CANDY KITTEN

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Jamie Laing, entrepreneur and star of Channel 4’s hit show “Made in Chelsea”, has ventured into the world of racehorse ownership as co-founder of The Candy Kittens Racing Club.

The Racing Club is just one within the Celebrity Race Clubs portfolio, offering customers the chance to mingle with their favourite celebrities while experiencing what it is like to own their own racehorse. Each group has a racehorse running under its name and in its colours and membership can cost as little as £10 per month, offering exciting opportunities to go behind-the-scenes of the sport, as well as enjoy some top on-track action.

The Candy Kittens racehorse has been named by Jamie after his brainchild sweet shop, Candy Kitten, which opened this May in London. The two year old filly is trained by Alastair Lidderdale, in Lambourn, and is due to make her debut at Goodwood Racecourse on 14th October 2012.

Jamie (pictured) visited his new horse last week, meeting female jockey Leonna Mayor, Apprentice Jockey for Alastair Lidderdale, who rode Candy Kitten on the gallops in the Club’s chosen silks. He commented during his visit:

“I am very excited to be adding to my Candy Kitten family with this fine filly of a racehorse and hopefully she’ll give us reason to celebrate during the coming months. Everyone is welcome to join in and I am looking forward to meeting lots of Candy Kitten fans at the races.”

Sure Maximum Protection statue blogger challenge

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Sure Maximum Protection has revealed that out of 640 official statues in the UK, only a measly 15 per cent of them represent women!

So they invited me to take part in a bloggers challenge. They asked me to put creative skills to the test to customise the ultimate female statue.

Years ago I won a number of art competitions and have always loved drawing. I have been too busy to keep this up and also never really did paint. I have always been creative though so I took the kit that was sent to me and got to work.

I immediately made a few mistakes but managed to recover well. I am annoyed at myself for allowing my creative skills to get rusty but I just decide to paint away and go where the artistic mood took me.

In the end I have a futuristic female statue. My statue has traits that I love in my fellow women: elegant, strong, caring, ambitious, smart, fashionable, individuality.

 

She’s different and cool.. She’s not perfect (blame her creator) but she carries it well and is all the better for it. She has kick-ass red lipstick and smile. What else could she possible need?

 

 

Vanessa Vallely Interview Part Two: We Are The City Founder Tells All.

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Part 2

Tell us about your day job. You are head of business management at Aviva

“Basically, it is a business management role. It’s just insuring that the business operates and that the department runs effectively. So there is a risk audit, finance, a bit of HR. I provide support to the COO and the leadership team. So I make things happen and I get things done. I very much enjoy it, it’s a supportive role. I am mentoring other people in Aviva as well and growing a talent pool. I have some good relationships here and let it be said that Aviva have been massively supportive to the website. They know I run the website, they know that I go off and do charity things and they are one of the most supportive employers I have ever worked for. It’s a fantastic place to work.”

If you could have had any other career what would it have been?

“When I left school, I thought I wanted to be a policewoman, and then I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, then a judge, then I wanted to go into the army. So when I look back, they are all quite authoritarian, so I definitely wanted to rule the world in some kind of guise. If I could have had another career I think I would have been a midwife, because it was something that always interested me. I don’t know if I would have had the guts to do it, but I liked the thought of bringing children into the world.

“The funny thing was is that I was not naturally maternal before I had kids, if I heard a child crying in the supermarket I would be like, ‘Shut that child up’. When I had my own baby, it kicked in. I always found it hard to play with children because I was an only child and I played on my own. When I play with my own children, I tend to go off on my own and I have to bring myself back again. I was just used to playing that way. I would still like to be a midwife actually. It is still something that interests me to this day.”

You have won a lot of awards, which ones are you particularly proud of?

“The women in banking and finance award I was very proud of. My mum and dad were there and my dad hadn’t been very well. They divorced 38 years ago but they get along really well. To have them both there was special to me because they have seen me get to where I have gotten to. It was great to be recognised by such a wonderful body. That means so much to me. For the second one, I went to Washington to pick it up. That was a global award and the same one as the three women I have nominated have won. So I have said to my girls, “No more awards please’. I have won quite a lot. My job now is to judge awards and put other women forward, raise their profile and help them along in their career. I have had five award winners in the past year.”

That’s a good rate!

“That is a good rate. But all of them have achieved amazing things, setting up networks, giving effort and giving back to the next generation of women. So if I am in a position to help them, then of course I am going to.”

Your parents must be very proud of you.

“Yeah. My mum is my biggest fan. I mean, she helps me a lot. There is a lot of support behind me. There is my childminder, I don’t think I could do anything without her. There is an ironing man who comes and collects my ironing. It’s the best £30 a week I have ever spent. He would be the last to go. My husband is a huge support. There are a lot of people who enable me to do what I do. I help them all back in different ways. It’s a two-way street. My mum still works, she’s only young, she’s not even 60 yet. So obviously she helps me as much as she can. She is also my best friend. That helps. I confide in her a lot. When I am getting too tired she is the one that says to me, ‘Enough’.”

Mums know

“Exactly, mums know. I am like a train, I just keep going.”

How important is the support of Wearethecity for women?

“There has been a shortage of women in financial services, engineering and IT. The gender issue it not as prevalent as it once was, but at a high level, there is a lack of women in senior roles. And then there is a shortage of women making it onto boards. The City gets a lot of bad press, but we do contribute to the world economy, the UK’s economy. It’s not all million pound bonuses. You are talking about a very small percentage of people. It’s not all financial workers either, there are a lot of people who work in the periphery, you have the bars and the restaurants, and the shops and the retail outfits. It is not just financial services.

“I would encourage women to come up here and try to work. Try and see if they can have a career in the City. It is an exciting time and we are waiting here to support them.”

What do you think of the current government? Do you think they are doing a good job?

“I try to stay clear of politics. One of the things I don’t get involved in is politics. I don’t stay on top of the policies or anything like that. I have no particular alliance to any party. What I would comment on is when they do things that affect young families, because it is a struggle having kids and bringing them up. Childcare is a major thing for young couples, and women returning to work and stuff like that. I have no particular pick of the politicians, I don’t think any of them can be trusted. That would be the only thing I would say.”

Do you think you have a good work/life balance?

“Sometimes not. It was an unique week last week. I dropped my phone down the toilet, I lost my cash card, and I had tonsillitis, one of the kids caught nits, it was just a calamity of errors. I got lost on the same stretch of motorway that I have driven on a hundred times for an hour and a half, going backwards and forwards. I think I was just having one of those weeks. On Sunday night I didn’t get to bed until 11. I didn’t get to wash my hair so it’s dry shampoo on the Monday as I’m going out the door.

“There are weeks when I get it and I learn to appreciate when I’ve got that balance. When it’s Sunday night and the kids are clean, my personal emails are clear and I am on top of work – everything is in it’s box and I have learned to appreciate those moments for what they are because they don’t come around that often. Sometimes, 80% is good enough. If 80% of my washing is done, if there is a little bit in the basket, then I don’t need to tick the box. Sometimes you have to accept that some things are out of your control. You just have to do what you can. Don’t beat yourself up about it.

I work for a good employer, so I only work four days a week. My one day a week off I spend on wearethecity, on my charities, on the awards, I pick my kids up and I drop them off. I have been offered lots of different jobs, even when I have been working here and I haven’t taken them because the employers were not open to me working flexibly. That doesn’t work for me as I have lots of commitments. I am a non exec to charities, I’m a school governor, I’ve got two kids and I can’t do it all without a certain level of flexibility from the people that I work for.”

How do you relax? Do you relax?

“Lots of people would say no, but I know when I need a break. In a couple of weeks, I am going off to Spain on my own for two days and I have booked my bed by the pool. I will just lay there. I relax by thinking, believe it or not. I am not like any girl. I don’t like shopping, believe it or not. I can’t think of anything worse than trying on clothes. I also have a big beef with high street sizes. You can go in one shop and feel great because you’re a size 12 and you go in another shop and you are in a 16. The labelling is all wrong. It can ruin your shopping experience.

“Because I am an only child I am quite comfortable in my own company. Much as I always say I need my sisters – I think the network that I hang out with are my family –  I still like taking time out to be on my own. I try and not do anything.

“I am never without my phone. I’ve got two and I can text on both of them at the same time. I will give any child a text competition run for their money. I get up at half five to get my own personal email down and get my own stuff done, so when the kids get up it’s their time. My life is like a military operation. So when I do get some down time, I do take it.”

Anything else?

“Wearethecity are opening a job board in September. Women can have a portfolio career. I want to teach women that they can come and work here. I would like to think in my lifetime that I make a difference. I would love for a woman to achieve something and we don’t all celebrate because it is not a rare thing. I hope that happens in my tenure, the next 40 years or however long I live. That would put a smile on my face.”

Part one is here.

Enter The Natwest Everywomen Awards.

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ONE MONTH TO GO TO ENTER NATWEST EVERYWOMAN AWARDS.

2012 MARKS A DECADE OF CELEBRATING THE UK’S LEADING FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS

If you are a female entrepreneur then enter into the Natwest Everyomwn Awards. During the ten years since inception the NatWest everywoman Awards have attracted thousands of entries and celebrated Britain’s leading female entrepreneurs. This inspiring programme has commended both household names such as Karren Brady, Hilary Devey, Dame Mary Perkins, Chrissie Rucker and Cath Kidston, along with a multitude of extraordinary women whose businesses both large and small support Britain’s reputation as one of the best countries for enterprise.

In this, their 10th year the NatWest everywoman Awards are reaching out to women in enterprise across the country to put themselves forward. Supported by government and big business alike, the awards acknowledge the drive and tenacity required for successful enterprise, symbolising UK’s best business success and inspiring and motivating the next generation of female entrepreneurs.

The NatWest everywoman Awards are free to enter and nominations can be made by business owners or those connected to them by 20 July 2012. The core award categories are:

Artemis is Goddess of the Hunt and Protector of Youth. This award is given to the most inspirational woman running a business who is aged 25 or under.

Demeter is Goddess of the Harvest. The Demeter Award will go to the most inspirational woman running a business who is aged between 26 and 35.

Athena is Goddess of Wisdom. This award is given to the most inspirational woman running a business who is aged between 36 and 49.

Hera is Queen of Goddesses and her wisdom and ability to inspire provide the basis for this award. This award is given to the most inspirational woman running a business who is aged 50 or over.

Other award categories include:

Iris is Messenger of the Gods, and is awarded to the most inspirational and successful female entrepreneur who runs a technology business that makes a difference, provides real solutions in the world today and, ultimately, is instrumental in building a smarter planet.

Hestia represents the hearth and home and is presented to a female entrepreneur who runs a rural business contributing to the local economy.

Gaia represents the earth and is presented to a female entrepreneur whose business has a clearly defined social and/or ethical purpose.

Karen Gill MBE, Co-founder and Director of everywoman says, “SMEs make up over 99% of the total number of businesses in the UK* so in terms of our economic health it is vital that we support and acknowledge their contribution to Britain plc. If we do not take steps to champion female enterprise so that future generations see it as a viable career choice, we will risk irreparable damage to our already fragile economy.

“Over ten years the NatWest everywoman Awards have done just that, recognising scores of women who have achieved business success through hard work, determination and passion and who are role models for future generations of female entrepreneurs.”

*Federation of Small Business, November 2011

Anne Mcpherson, Managing Director, Diversity in Business, NatWest says, “We are delighted to support the NatWest everywoman awards for the 10th year running. Over the years the awards have been a great encouragement to women entrepreneurs. At NatWest we have certainly seen an upturn in women owned businesses in the past few years and we are committed to encouraging more female entrepreneurship. Our 200 Women in Business ambassadors across the country share and understand our customers’ ambitions and provide the coaching and mentoring that helps them fulfill their potential and build successful businesses”.

Nominations are made online at www.everywoman.com/ewawards until 20 July and will be judged by a panel of accomplished businesswomen and entrepreneurs.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony held on 5 December 2012 at The Dorchester in London attended by celebrities, VIPs and major figures from the worlds of business and politics. ­