‘Welcome to 11 Downing Street’ are words I never thought I would hear myself say.
But not only did I say them to a room full of 50 North East female founders, I was standing next to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, when I said them.
None of us who were in the room last Wednesday will forget the experience, but the real value of the occasion will be in what happens next.
By way of background, I am the founder of Newcastle-based agency Moja. Moja exists to turn ambitious people into recognised voices in their industry, through personal branding, LinkedIn, podcasting and publishing.
Along with Natalie Turner, I am also the founder of City Ladies Networking.
50 North East female founders at 11 Downing Street, London
City Ladies started as a simple idea to bring brilliant women together in a way that felt supportive and added value. Since then, it has grown into a network spanning Newcastle, London, Paris and Nice, with more to come.
The origins of the 11 Downing Street trip came from a simple chat about how we could better support and connect female founders across the North East.
I have been part of that through my role as female founder champion for North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, and as a member of the North East Combined Authority Business and Economy Board.
All the female founders in the room at 11 Downing Street are building something. They are all taking risks. They are all creating impact in their own way.
They come from different sectors, different stages of business and different journeys. Some are just starting out, some are scaling fast, and some are already leading established businesses.
The North East is full of ambition, talent and brilliant businesses, but we do not always have the same access, the same visibility or the same networks as other parts of the country.
Times are changing
Wednesday’s gathering sent a powerful message that this is changing. Businesses built in the North East matter, and the women leading them matter. Opportunities should not be limited by geography.
The event was not just about the female founders. It was about the group of people in the room who can help shape what happens next.
It was about investors, leaders and connectors, people with reach, experience and the ability to open doors.
It was about people like Joanna Jensen, an impressive exited founder and now a prolific angel investor and chair of the EIS Association.
It was about Irene Graham, CEO of the Scale Up Institute, and Alex Depledge, enterprise advisor to the Chancellor.
It was about Dragons’ Den star and entrepreneur Sara Davies MBE, who champions the North East at every opportunity.
One conversation in a room can change the direction of a business. That is what Wednesday’s event was about.
My absolute dream is that in the months to come, I hear from every founder about at least one incredible thing that happened from this event that pushed their business forward. Remember, shy bairns get nowt.
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