Founded by Sylvia Adams in 1996, Elmbridge Women in Business has grown from its first meeting of 12 women to a vibrant group of business women with immensely varied working lives.
We exist to enable women in business to tap into the experience and expertise of other members, develop valuable business skills and make new contacts in a collaborative environment. We do this in a variety of ways, including monthly meetings with interesting speakers covering three main subject areas: professional development; personal development; general interest and fun.
- We are a relaxed networking community
- We give members the opportunity to promote their business
- We share information and ideas
- We provide a forum for the exchange of skills and expertise
- We promote each others’ activities
- We increase understanding of business issues
- We develop personal effectiveness
Relaxed and informal, we have few rules or requirements and all women are welcome, whatever stage they are in their commercial lives – embryonic, new start, finding their feet, well-established, planning to exit, retired.
It’s a great way to tap into the local and wider business community in a non-pressured environment. Our community fosters a culture of mutual trust and respect which enables you to build effective business relationships. We are currently looking for new members to join the group from all professions and particularly woment who may have retired but who wish to help other women progress in their business careers.
We meet monthly in the evenings at the Best Western Ship Hotel, Weybridge where we hold events that are open to members and non-members. Our events include a mix of talks, interactive workshops, practical sessions and fun and social activities!
Recent talks have included:
- Alison Clarke on “Telling Tales – creative approaches to networking”;
- “Speed Networking” led by Amanda Fisackerly;
- “Public Relations” by Jackie Mitchell, JM Communications
- “Support Available to Women in Business” by Roz Maher and Barbara Parker, Business Link
- “Punchy Powerful Presentations” by Sandy Collison
- The “Expert Panel” – free business advice from Karen Megranahan, millionaire and successful entrepreneur, Karen Skidmore on Internet marketing and know how; Liz Labrum, hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner, on handling stress and maintaining motivation and Fiona Humberstone on branding and design.
We also run regular members-only events where we match those who have requested guidance in particular areas with members who are able to provide the appropriate skills and expertise in a free one-off session.
Our committee members are involved in all aspects of running and improving the group and key roles and contacts are shown below:-
Marketing & Community
Sandy Scott (Chairman) – Health Coach & Pilates Instructor, Youth Coach www.viveutvitas.co.uk
Mary Peterkin – Independent Brand Consultant and Coach, Brand Intuition www.linkedin.com/in/marypeterkin
Member Relations
Catherine Richardson – Wealth Manager www.sjpp.co.uk/crichardson
Amanda Fisackerly (Secretary) – Sales and Marketing Consultant www.fizz-biz.com
Diane Boaden – Social Organiser
Finance & Membership
Kathryn Crockford (Treasurer) – Accountancy and Training www.axisltd.net
Jane Burridge – Personal Concierge www.personal-equilibrium.co.uk
Events & Activities
Evonne Brown – Weight Management and NLP Coach www.all-change.co.uk
Sarah Martin – Health & Fitness Professional www.fitinlife.co.uk
Ladies at E11even www.ladiesat11.com
