This achievement highlights the firm’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment for women across the organisation. Notably, the percentage of women in senior roles—at Senior Manager and Director levels—has risen from 33% to 40%.

The firm also recently marked the success of its first Female Leadership Programme, which was attended by 18 women at manager level and above. This initiative represents a significant step towards developing a strong pipeline of future female leaders. Bishop Fleming extends its thanks to everyone who continues to promote equity and opportunity throughout the firm.

https://www.bishopfleming.co.uk/

The post Bishop Fleming Recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women appeared first on Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

We understand the pressures our clients face. The challenge of retaining talent, developing future leaders and building high-performing teams, without overloading already stretched managers or budgets. Supporting people at the start or middle of their careers, to feel better prepared to lead, communicate and grow in fast-paced environments where time is short and expectations are high.

Our digital learning programmes simplify complex topics and skills like communication, performance and change with practical tools that make a difference from day one. It is flexible, accessible, and immediately actionable. No jargon. No fluff. Just results.

Whether you’re a business developing your next generation of leaders or an individual ready to take your next step, Make Strides offers digital learning programmes that meet you where you now and helps you reach your potential.

We support people across many sectors and our clients choose us because we make learning easy, impactful, and genuinely empowering.

At Make Strides, we don’t just teach skills. We help people take bold, confident steps forward. That’s learning that sets the pace – https://www.make-strides.com

The post Make Strides – A Digital-First Learning and Development Company appeared first on Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

CAPTION: L-R: DCI Liz Warner of West Mercia Police, Watch Commander Sophie Potter of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer Michelle Brotherton of West Midlands Ambulance Service speak out about why they celebrate International Women’s Day and embrace the theme of ‘Accelerate Action’.

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, West Mercia Police, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) are teaming up to host an inspiring event aimed at accelerating action and promoting inclusion within their emergency services across Worcestershire.

The event will take place on 6th March and will be co-hosted by West Mercia Police’s women’s staff network, WoW (Women of West Mercia), alongside colleagues from WMAS and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

Speaking about the event, host DCI Liz Warner of West Mercia Police said, “We recognise, in policing, that we have the power and platform to make a difference. This event is about ensuring that our colleagues in the emergency services are supported, valued, and empowered to be their very best, and that we continue to be a reflective and inclusive workforce.”

Watch Commander Sophie Potter, Vice Chair of Women@HWfire and one of the founding members of the network, has worked in HWFRS for 19 years. Sophie has seen many positive changes but states; “that’s not to say there isn’t more that can be done – the journey continues.”

She reflects on the significance of the event and the theme for International Women’s Day 2025:

Women@HWFire champions a safe arena for women to talk about issues affecting them. Promoting and developing inclusion is a responsibility for all of us, that’s why this year’s theme ‘Accelerate Action’ for International Women’s Day resonates. The joint event with Women of West Mercia will help the attendees understand how they personally can accelerate action and do what they can to truly make a positive difference for women.

Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer Michelle Brotherton, Non-Emergency Services Operations Delivery, Improvement Director at WMAS and Executive sponsor of the WMAS Women’s Network, will be in attendance on the 6^th as well as delivering a presentation on her career journey, sharing her experiences and insights into leadership within the emergency services at a separate event with West Midlands Ambulance Service on 7^th March 2025.

Michelle commented, “I’m excited to be part of such a meaningful event that not only celebrates women’s achievements but also encourages proactive steps toward creating an inclusive and supportive working environment. My journey, over the last 30 years, in emergency services has been deeply shaped by mentorship and collaboration, and I look forward to inspiring others to lead in their own unique ways.”

The celebration – and call to action – that is International Women’s Day, supports ongoing discussions like these which are critical in addressing the continued challenges faced by women and girls in society.

For more information about International Women’s Day, and the Accelerate Action theme for 2025, can be found on the International Women’s Day website.

The full article can be read online at www.youdobetter.co.uk.

The post ‘Accelerating Action’ for International Women’s Day 2025 – the women of West Mercia Police, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service speak out appeared first on Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

So, I then attended some awareness sessions run by Lauren Chiren, of Women of a Certain Stage when I realised, I was perimenopausal. This led me to a call with her, asking about where I could get further training to help in my OH role. She invited me onto her new Menopause Champion course. Which I quickly followed up by joining her new Menopause Coach training, learning her signature programme which has the most amazing results by making small lifestyle changes.

I now work as Julie Menopause Coach using the signature programme with clients.

My advice to you:
• If you are struggling reach out for help. Consider working with a Menopause Coach.
• Do some awareness training, so you can advocate for yourself.
• Prioritise Me Time, being relaxed can lower stress levels, which helps reduce your symptom intensity.
• Ensure you are fully hydrated; dehydration can lead to stress and headaches.
• Have a good sleep routine, to allow the body to relax and repair.
• Boost connections with loved ones to boost your oxytocin levels and reduce your stress.

The post Menopause – it’s just hot flushes and no periods. appeared first on Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

Kersten will be joining CEO of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Fran Barnes on the podium for the occasion, which is also helping fundraise for the horticultural sector charity Perennial.

Kersten explains: “It’s an honour to have been invited to take part in this inspirational event on Thursday, November 14 at Horticulture House in Oxfordshire.

“The afternoon promises to be a fantastic opportunity for attendees to connect with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas and gain some invaluable insights from myself and Fran, who is one of the industry’s most respected leaders. We look forward to welcoming everyone who can come along and be part of this inspirational event and the forward-thinking Women in Horticulture community, which is welcoming and supportive.

“The event will also be raising funds for the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping people in horticulture, Perennial. One hundred percent of all tickets sales, costing £20 each, will be donated to this wonderful organisation that does such amazing work in our industry.

“The team at Wyevale Nurseries already has a very close connection with Perennial. We work together on the charity’s Plants for Perennial initiative, which is a collaborative scheme between the organisation, us and three other major wholesale nurseries in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

“We all help raise funds through sales of various plants via garden centre customers. The collection includes our Salvias ‘Cuello Pink’ and ‘Cuello White’ and our Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Cherry Explosion’.”

The Women in Horticulture event aims to give attendees the opportunity to hear from industry leaders who have made a significant impact. Guests will hear the two keynote speakers share actionable insights to help them grow in their careers and more.

Fran brings a wealth of experience from her leadership role at the HTA, alongside her involvement with the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the BBC. She will discuss her journey to leadership and the future of horticulture.
Kersten, who joined Wyevale Nurseries – one of the UK’s leading commercial wholesale nurseries – earlier this year, is on the Board of Directors at British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI). She was also Chair of the British Protected Ornamentals Association (BPOA) from 2017-2019 and has been a NFU Board Member.

Kersten has more than 25 years of expertise in commercial sales, supply chain management and leadership and will share her journey and her views on the challenges the industry faces in 2025.

Wyevale Nurseries has a product selection that’s admired across the industry and a talented team that regularly introduces new, award-winning plant varieties.

Its main business is to supply landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters, landowners and garden centres with a comprehensive array of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants.

For more information, and to purchase tickets for the Women in Horticulture event, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-leading-in-horticulture-an-afternoon-of-inspiration-networking-tickets-1040368218347.

For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, please call 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk.

The post Wyevale Nurseries’ Sales & Marketing Director Kersten Catella to be keynote speaker at Women in Horticulture event appeared first on Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

I’m Laura a Chartered Certified Accountant and I’m doing a little bit of research around the issues women in business face in relation to finance and accounts. If you’re a female who runs their own business or a woman who aspires to start their own business I’d really appreciate it if you could complete the following, very short survey.

https://forms.gle/k5T6jDYu3DZwPXwd9

The post Women in Business Short Survey appeared first on Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

After working for over 10 years within the legal field, Naomi launched her own agency in October 2022 and now heads up a small team of experts, who specialise in optimising and streamlining business processes, on a remote-basis. Their clients include both small businesses and large corporate companies who are looking to focus more fully on strategic growth and development.

Shortlisted from a large number of entries from across the UK, Naomi says: “After being named One to Watch at the Women Who Awards earlier on in the year and then being named Finalist at the Business Success Network Awards, I am thrilled to have now won the prestigious title of Startup Businesswoman of the Year. Calibre’s main core values are centred around quality and expertise and these awards are testimony to the strong track record we are building for our clients.”

A representative of the 2024 West Midlands Business Awards UK adds: “Naomi’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to providing exceptional virtual assistant services have distinguished her in the business community.”

In celebration of her second business anniversary, Naomi will be hosting a charity evening on Wednesday, October 16, which will also provide an exclusive networking opportunity for businesses looking to raise their profile within the Worcestershire area. More details are available on Calibre’s website www.calibrevaservices.com.

The post Worcester-based Business Owner Wins Businesswoman of the Year Award appeared first on Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

Business women across Worcestershire share their views on International Women’s Day (IWD) and what it means to them. The theme this year is Inspire Inclusion, with the aim of the campaign to collectively forge a more inclusive world for women. 

Member Ruby Edwards, Owner of You Do Better PR, writes in a collaboration with Sharon Smith, CEO of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Liz Gait, owner of EG People Development, and Jennine Gilbert Woods, Managing Director at OCM Business Systems Ltd.

Sharon says: “This year for International Women’s Day, it’s time to #InspireInclusion. Everyday I’m inspired by the fantastic team of women who work alongside me at the Chamber of Commerce. Not only is inclusion at the top of my business agenda, but it’s also embedded in our organisation and has become crucial part of our core values. It’s important to remember that everyone can inspire inclusion and as a business leader I strive to lead by example and work to ensure diversity and inclusion is part of our communities’ ethos. I’m proud to support and embrace International Women’s Day 2024.”

Liz confirms: “Inclusion is a job for us all… right from early years, evidencing in our homes that there aren’t ‘pink and blue jobs’, encouraging young people to find their talents and passions and challenging the stereotypes of suitable careers and job roles for women – this is a job for us all. We all have a responsibility for showing the possibilities are endless and we can support each other in breaking down the barriers which unfortunately do still exist.

As Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, in her brilliant book ‘The Gender Bias: The Barriers That Hold Women Back, and How to Break Them’ – “Women cannot be left to bear the burden of calling out inequality simply because they’re the ones experiencing it the most acutely”, it is a job for us all.”

Jennine embraces the same sentiment, stating: “In my experience, a healthy work environment is about having a good, diverse mix of people who can come to work feeling confident and happy being themselves. Creating a fair and equal workplace delivers positivity synonymous with a successful business.”

We couldn’t agree more. Further information about inspiring inclusion, and the day itself, can be found online: www.internationalwomensday.com.
Author – Ruby Edwards, You Do Better PR | www.youdobetter.co.uk

The post Why International Women’s Day is Inspiring Inclusion Across Worcestershire appeared first on Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

The judges praised the exceptional attention to detail which was demonstrated by the high end interiors and incredible social media presence. Rowley Farm Holidays have embraced TikTok, with almost 15,000 followers, and a number of viral video’s promoting dog friendly holidays in Worcestershire.

This is not the first time Rowley Farm Holidays have won an award.  Last year, after scooping 2 awards at the Visit Worcestershire awards ceremony, they were recognised by Visit England as one of the top 3 New Tourism Businesses in England in 2022.

On winning the awards, Clare John commented  ‘To have my business recognised and elevated in the county for the second year running, makes us realise that what we are offering at Rowley Farm is on the right track.’

Set within 50 acres of farmland in Holt Heath, Worcestershire, Rowley Farm Holidays provide a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Guests can relax in the luxury self-catering cottages within a farmland setting and enjoy a seductive slice of country life.

With a focus on sustainability throughout the farm, guests relax in wood-fired hot tubs, powered from offcuts of a local timber merchant. All the properties are heated from a biomass boiler and guests have access to electric vehicle charging points.

This passion for sustainability includes supporting local businesses, and the owner Clare ensures where possible everything is sourced locally.

The post Luxury Dog friendly Accommodation Scoops Local Award appeared first on Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

CAPTION: Inspector Julz Watson (West Mercia Police), Lee Gough (Megan Baker House) and Sharon Smith (Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce) embrace equity on International Women’s Day 2023.

Those of us who hold the idea of equity close, welcome a day to celebrate ‘International Women’s Day’ and the positive sentiment it brings. On that basis, our article features words for reflection from Sharon Smith, CEO of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce as well as Inspector Julz Watson from West Mercia Police and Lee Gough (Mrs) from Megan Baker House.

Sharon says:

“I strive to #EmbraceEquity. I don’t always get everything right, but ensuring Equity is at the top of the business agenda is hugely important to me and to most businesses. The first step is recognising that we still exist in a world where not everything or everyone is equal, and open conversations about inequalities should be part of our ongoing learning and development, in order to improve. That’s why I’m pleased to support and embrace International Women’s Day 2023 – where there is still inequality, there should always still be a conversation.”

Lee Gough, CEO of Megan Baker House, agrees:

“I embrace equity on a daily basis and welcome the chance to help recognise that equity is still some way off. For example, there are considerably less than 50% female CEOs of charities than male in the UK and I’m very happy to spearhead more.”

Lee continues:

“That said, the workforce at MBH is 80% female 20%male. We would like to have a more balanced workforce but there are very few males qualified in this particular sphere.”

Inspector Julie Watson, West Mercia Police, says:

“No woman or girl should feel afraid walking in the streets of her own city, however we know that almost 70% of women do feel afraid, particularly at night.

Herefordshire’s Safer Streets Project is working to make practical improvements to our CCTV network and street illuminations to make these areas feel safer for all who use these public spaces.  Part of the Safer Streets Project is The Time For Change campaign which seeks to raise awareness of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and open up a conversation that challenges the acceptability of sexual harassment in public and to ask our communities to be upstanders for women’s safety, not bystanders to intimidation and harassment.”

Find out more about Time For Change here: https://timeforchange.info.

Whether we embrace the concept of International Women’s Day or not, it does provide a focus to forge forward in making an impact on equity – and women are embracing every bit of making that change.

Author: Ruby Edwards at You Do Better PR | www.youdobetter.co.uk | 07891 777464

The post Herefordshire Embrace Equity for International Women’s Day appeared first on Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.