Organised by Liverpool’s The Women’s Organisation, the Women Who Lead business breakfast will recognise the huge contribution made by the ‘modern-day suffragettes’. Tony McDonough reports

An event celebrating Liverpool city region’s ‘trailblazing’ women have already been snapped up, weeks before it is due to take place.

Organised by Liverpool’s The Women’s Organisation, the Women Who Lead business breakfast takes place in partnership with the Museum of Liverpool, NatWest and RISE Liverpool and will recognise the huge contribution made by the ‘modern-day suffragettes’.

The Women’s Organisation came into existence more than 20 years years ago and since them has supported more than 50,000 women, many of whom went on to start their own businesses.

Being held on Thursday, September 26, at the Museum of Liverpool on the waterfront, the breakfast is already fully subscribed with 200 tickets now reserved. It will be shining a spotlight on the leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs who are breaking the mould for women in a whole range of industries, including digital, arts and local politics.

Speakers will include:

• Camilla Mankabady, director of communications at Liverpool City Council.
• Melanie Lewis, director of commercial and business development at National Museums Liverpool.
• Chelsea Slater, founder of InnovateHer.
• Dominique Walker, trainee detective constable and vice chair of The Anthony Walker Foundation and chair of BAME Police Association.
• And hosted by Erika Rushton, creative economist and chair of Baltic Creative.

Lucy Cashman, senior marketing executive from The Women’s Organisation, said: “Earlier this year we contributed to The Rose Report which found an achievable rise in female entrepreneurs could boost the UK economy by up to £250bn a year.

“It illustrates the huge potential women offer to the economy and how for too long it has remained an untapped resource. The fact that the Women Who Lead event is fully subscribed just goes to show the ambition and drive of women within the city region and how many people are eager to be part of the story.”

Natalie Hughes, business growth enabler at NatWest, added: “We are delighted to support an event which celebrates women in leadership and their impact on our local economy.

“There is a real appetite for entrepreneurship in the Liverpool city region, and through the Back Her Business programme we are proud to be able to support women in getting their ideas off the ground and access the funding they need to succeed.”

And Melanie Lewis, executive director of commercial and business development, said: “We are happy to be hosting the Women Who Lead business breakfast at the Museum of Liverpool, in partnership with The Women’s Organisation. This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and support women in leadership and the influence they have on future generation of entrepreneurs.”