Where did 2023 go! This has been the first full year after lock down and it’s been so so good to see many of my regulars again.

I finished up the year with two really super Women in Business Christmas networking lunches.
Manchester took place at The Castlefield Rooms with 75 women attending. Thanks go to Sponsors Chase De Vere and to Handelsbanken Drinks Sponsor. We held a raffle for Prevent Breast Cancer based in Wythenshawe and thanks to the generosity of those who bought raffle tickets we raised £530.00 which will go towards very important research. Thanks also to Jennie Johnson our guest speaker. Jennie gave us such an honest insight into how she became an entrepreneur and I am sure she resonated with so many of us.
Jennie Johnson MBE is Founder and CEO of My First Five Years (MFFY). She was the first female to win the UK Private Business Awards CEO of the Year (2017) and was voted UK’s Businesswoman of the Year (2019). Jennie founded Kids Allowed in 2003, growing it to become one of the UK’s largest nursery groups, before successfully exiting in 2020.

The following week was the turn of 75 Warrington women in business Christmas lunch held at The Village Hotel, Warrington and thanks go to sponsors Quilter and Watsons Solicitors for their continued support for my events. Handelsbanken also provided the Goody bags. Our guest speaker was Maria Sarker who spoke about her passion for apprenticeships and how it is working for her company DriveWorks. DriveWorks employs over 60 people is such a great example of what a workplace should be about, Culture and Values; Innovation; Working Smarter; Team Work; Fun and Fast paced; Open and Honest and Flexible and Fair. Again we held charity raffle this time for CanSupport a very small charity based at Halton Hospital, they aim to make the lives of those undergoing treatment for cancer just a little easier. Again we raised over £500.00!

Many thanks go to Tinsdills Solicitors and Mackenzie Goldberg Johnson Ltd for their continued sponsorship of the regular South Cheshire Business breakfast held at The White Lion, Weston and this September we also went out on location to Aqueduct Marina hosted by Robert Parton and enjoyed a tour of the Marina whilst networking.

In 2024 I have a Property Special planned for 7th February and will be again working with Kirsty James and Sue France to stage Cheshire International Womens Day on Friday 8th March.

I am looking forward once again to be a part of the team who stage Warrington Business Awards – watch this space!

Thanks also to ASL Group who sponsor all my copying and printing and Sharples Group before them for the last eight years.

I aim for my networking events to be relaxed and engaging so that those who are new to it feel at ease and want to come along again. Networking is about making new connections and firming up those already established, People buy from those they trust and like and establishing that takes time and good will.

So final thanks to all of you for coming along and supporting and taking part and for helping to raise nearly £2,000 for charities.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year