Today, just a day ahead of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, we offer the first in a series of special LBN features designed to shine a spotlight on women who are making their mark in the Liverpool city region business world.

 

Saturday, March 8, is International Women’s Day and here at LBN we ask ‘why not celebrate women for more than just the one day?’.

IWD is a celebration of the progress women have made, but also raises the issue that there is much work still to be done to achieve gender parity – particularly in the workplace.

It highlights the many milestones marked by women across multiple industries while bringing into sharp focus the barriers that still exist — from workplace inequalities to challenges in education, leadership and representation.

But we believe that IWD should serve to instil optimism and inspire positive action in the quest for equality.

So today we present the first three of our ‘Friday Fifteen’ – 15 women who are really making a difference every day in a diverse range of businesses across Liverpool city region.

Our first three – Grace Johnson, Rachel Walker and Carrie Dwerryhouse are a trio of dynamic women blazing a trail at window and door manufacturer Warwick North West, building firm Frank Rogers and brand marketing specialist Wild Thang.

Check out LBN every Friday for the next few weeks to see who else is on the Friday Fifteen list…

Grace Johnson is junior finance director at fast-growing Merseyside window and door manufacturer Warwick North West. She joined the firm aged just 18 in 2016, taking on the role of accounts clerk.

Sister of managing director Greg Johnson, and daughter of Brian Johnson who led the firm between 2008 and 2021, Grace is very much a part of the Johnson family dynasty and possesses the same dynamism and determination that has helped drive Warwick’s success to date.

Over the last four years, Grace has been working under the close guidance of current financial director Ian Beamish to help manage and analyse the company’s budget.

Given this has been through a period of accelerated growth for Warwick, both in terms of its people and its turnover, it has been an unusually intense learning process. But Grace has taken everything in her stride.

“I’m incredibly proud to be a part of the family business – and in a role that is so critical to its continued success,” she said.

“The team at Warwick feel like an extension of my family, many of them I’ve known since I was a little girl. It’s wonderful to now be a part of that team, share their vision and values and play my part in shaping the future of the firm my family built.

Grace is shortlisted in the Unsung Hero category at the city’s Women in Business Awards. Organised by Downtown in Business the awards aim to bestow the brightest and best businesswomen in the Liverpool city region.

“I’m delighted to be recognised, particularly as we mark International Women’s Day,” added Grace.

“During my time at Warwick, we’ve grown the quota of women working at the firm by around 200%, something of which I’m personally very proud.

“However, roles on our factory floor remain predominantly male and that’s somewhere we’re really keen to focus our efforts in the months ahead.”

 

 

Rachel Walker is head of marketing and communications at North Liverpool-based building contractors, Frank Rogers.

Rachel boasts an impressive background in marketing, communications and sales, predominantly within the property and construction sectors, where women remain very much underrepresented.

After completing her Master’s degree, Rachel taught English as a foreign language abroad before immigrating to Australia, where she pursued a career in marketing. She returned to Liverpool in 2019 to take on the role of content manager for RIBA.

For the last 18 months Rachel has headed up marketing and comms for Frank Rogers. In the last year the firm, based in Clubmoor, has reported a 25% increase in its revenues and 38% increase in its headcount.

It has also opened offices in Manchester and Newcastle and is set to establish a London base. Rachel has closely supported that growth.

Rachel says: “I am incredibly proud to be a woman who is excelling in a sector in which women are still typically underrepresented.

“I am keen to leverage my position to incentivise more women and girls into those roles, and into the sector.”
Rachel has been the driving force behind the firm’s FR Foundation. Established in 2023 the foundation aims to drive positive change in the community through partnership working, meaningful donations, community projects and volunteering.

She added: “Encouraging women in construction is massively important to us as a firm, as we believe their unique contributions both on and off site can make a huge difference.”

Rachel is shortlisted in the Property Personality of the Year category at the city’s Women in Business Awards. Organised by Downtown in Business the awards aim to bestow the brightest and best businesswomen in the Liverpool city region.

 

 

Carrie Dwerryhouse is senior business, quality and ESG manager at Bootle-based brand clothing, merchandise and print specialist Wild Thang.

Wild Thang has placed ESG central to its culture. Managing Director at Wild Thang, Andrew Dwerryhouse, says equality is probably one of the most important parts of ‘The Wild Thang Way’ company ethos.

A graduate of Liverpool John Moores University, Carrie is a key member of the management team which, in the past five years, has overseen a £2m-plus expansion and a commitment to transform the business into a net zero operation. Wild Thang has also expanded to Ireland and the US.

Carrie said: “International Women’s Day (IWD) is deeply important to me because I am passionate about championing women’s personal and professional growth.

“As a mother of two daughters, I want them to grow up in a world where their opportunities are limitless, where their ambitions are encouraged and where they are empowered to reach their full potential.

“Working at Wild Thang, a company that values the development of all its staff, I see firsthand how investing in people’s growth can create lasting change.

“This day is a powerful reminder that when women are supported, encouraged and given equal opportunities, they not only thrive individually but also contribute to stronger, more innovative communities and businesses.

“More than just a single day of recognition, IWD serves as a global movement for change, unity and empowerment. It encourages all of us—regardless of gender—to challenge outdated norms, be an advocate for equal opportunities and foster environments where women can grow and succeed.

“By celebrating this day, we reaffirm our commitment to breaking down barriers, amplifying women’s voices and building a future where every woman has the chance to flourish.”