Over 160 businesswomen flocked to Northampton for a two-day experience packed with empowering talks, transformational masterclasses and deep learning.
Connection, community and kindness were the themes at the Female Founders Summit 2024 – organised by accredited master coach Lucienne Shakir in partnership a number of local female founders and West Northamptonshire Council, and held in Northampton for the first time.
Taking place across various town centre venues on Friday 12 and Saturday July 13, the event included sessions on everything from business and marketing to health and wellness – delivered by leading experts from all over the world.
High profile businesswoman, broadcaster, author and activist Mary Portas took to the stage at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery on the Friday evening for a Q&A with Lucienne to openly share her life story, having worked with some of the biggest names in global retail, and to talk about a ‘new era of business’ away from old school systems and structures which she believes is giving female leaders new hope.
Britain’s Got Talent finalists, Northampton Sings Out Choir also wowed the audience with a surprise performance at the event. Other speakers included multi award-winning trauma therapist and coach Caroline Strawson, who spoke about nervous system hacking for optimal living; menopause disruptor, educator and author Victoria Hardy, who won the audience over with her educational and humorous presentation on crushing the menopause taboo; and world-class author and speaker Ife Thomas whose highly emotive and moving talk on autism in business left many speechless.
“To have held it in my home town of Northampton for the first time was extra special, and to have welcomed such incredible speakers and presenters over the two days was astonishingly brilliant. Mary Portas was a highlight, but there were so many other takeaways. We’ve been inundated with wonderful comments and feedback from participants who left feeling empowered and that was what it was all about.”
Female Founders Summit 2024 was hosted at a number of venues, including Delapré Abbey, Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Northampton Film House, and Vulcan Works.
Well-known AllBright CEO Viviane Paxinos, and angel investor and serial entrepreneur Emmie Faust were also among the speakers. The summit ended with an awards gala for members of the Lucienne Coaching Academy and a special award for young entrepreneur, 14-year-old Poppy Irons, who set up a business making and selling luxury self-care products.
Organiser Lucienne Shakir is a Master Accredited, visionary coach and mentor in the field of female empowerment. Her mission is to empower female founders to build brilliant businesses – for them to succeed and thrive with strength, confidence and sheer self-belief in their abilities. Her inspiring longer-term vision is for complete equality in entrepreneurship – not just in relation to gender, but for every individual, in every sector, worldwide. She is an active campaigner for women’s rights having created a not-for-profit arm of her business to support women with accountability, education and coaching who may otherwise not have the funds for their personal or professional development. The Female Founders Summit was held in partnership with local female-led organisations: The Brady Creative, Goldings Communications and The Lewis Foundation.
Set to take place in Northampton again in 2025, details about the next event will be released shortly and available here
