More than 50 female business leaders attended a Women’s Organisation’s 20th anniversary celebrations – which also marked its Business Club’s successful first year since launching.

Liverpool charity and social enterprise, The Women’s Organisation, established the Business Club last September to provide opportunities for women to make key business connections, explore how they can help one another with the services they provide and offer professional advice throughout the process of establishing their business.

In recognition of the club’s record first year, which attracted over 200 active female business owners from the city region to join as members, the organisation held a ‘Summer Social’ business event at Seven Zero One, located adjacent to the Campanile Hotel on Queens Dock and the Baltic Triangle.

A host of female business owners were invited to speak at the networking event, which saw guests given a taste of Seven Zero One’s new menu in the bar’s terrace.

Initiating the evening was The Women’s Organisation’s training co-ordinator Bernie Cox, who spoke about the club’s record first year and introduced guest speakers from the event’s two featured businesses.

Speakers included entrepreneur and founder of online shop Worn By Us, Nicola Gleave, who took to the stage to speak about the business, which raises money for charity by selling designer clothes worn and donated by celebrities.

She was followed by Elaine Atherton, sales director of retailer LiV for Beautiful Things which specialises in luxury homeware and gifts, who introduced attendees to the business and its eclectic products.

Other business leaders then had the opportunity to give a 60 second pitch to promote their work, including Lin Boyd, of the newly launched Switch Onto Business Magazine Charity Awards – which celebrates the entrepreneurial success of start-up businesses in Liverpool.

Live music by local musician Victoria Sharpe provided the backdrop to the networking.

The venue’s social media co-ordinator, Maya Battle, who is also a member of The Women’s Organisation’s Business Club, offered to help stage the event after experiencing the benefits of being an active member.

She said:

“The event was a roaring success and further highlighted what the thriving female business community we have in Liverpool.

“The Business Club is a valuable asset for the Liverpool business community, as well as among women, so we were delighted to be a part of and support the landmark celebrations as the organisation looks to enhance its support to businesses across the region.”

Jo Mountfort, business advisor at The Women’s Organisation and co-ordinator of Business Club, added:

“We couldn’t have asked for a better end to an amazing first year of the Business Club. The venue, food and drink were great, as was seeing more women doing business. Our focus is now on to the year ahead which we believe will be bigger and better.”

For more information about joining the Business Club email businessclub@thewo.org.uk