Thank you to our VIP Speakers, Expert Judges & Media Associates - these important awards would not be possible without their support.

Join us and hear from our experts direct at RBS, 280 Bishopsgate on September 22 2015. For more on our award hosts visit  www.natwest.co.uk/business

Our VIP Judges and Speakers will include.....

Caprice Bourret

Caprice ventured to England from Southern California and quickly became one of the most photographed women in the world having appeared on 300 magazine covers across the globe and over 200 TV shows. She was voted GQ Magazine’s Woman of the Year, and Maxim’s International Woman of the Year for three years running. She received rave reviews in London’s West End playing the lead role in ‘The Vagina Monologues’ and the musical ‘Rent’. She later bought the rights to the hit production, ‘Debbie Does Dallas the musical’ which she produced and starred in.
In 2006, Caprice launched By Caprice products, which she fully finances, designs, models and markets, and today, Caprice juggles motherhood with being CEO of By Caprice products. She is renowned for her business acumen and is in constant demand for motivational speeches.
An avid philanthropist, she has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and Caprice is patron to Woman’s Trust. Caprice and her partner Ty Comfort reside in London with their two beautiful children Jett and Jax.

Annabel Karmel MBE

After building her children’s food empire from scratch at her kitchen table with three children in tow, Annabel is proof-positive that anything is possible in the world of business.

For over two decades, she has blazed her way through business challenges whilst juggling family life.

Since launching with the 'Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner' more than 20 years ago, Annabel has written 40 books, which have sold over four million copies worldwide. With 20+ years’ experience, Annabel has become the UK's number one parenting author, best-selling international author and expert on devising delicious, nutritious meals for babies and children. From nutrition during pregnancy and weaning, through to feeding fussy eaters and family cooking, Annabel continues to be the UK's most trusted, influential and inspiring resource for mums who want to give their growing family the very best start in life,

Now, the UK’s leading food guru and entrepreneur is on a mission to empower other mothers wanting to become their own boss. Her brand new book, Mumpreneur, is filled with practical advice and inspiring stories to help you get started.
Annabel says “Having children doesn’t mean a full stop at the end of your CV – it’s just the start. Shattering the glass ceiling with a changing bag in tow is no longer limited to the realms of fantasy and I’m helping mums to follow their start-up dreams”.

Mumpreneur (published by Vermillion and sponsored by Direct Line for Business) is out now.  Check out Annabel’s Mumpreneur resource hub at www.annabelkarmel.com
Award winners and attendees will have the chance to receive a signed copy of 'Mumpreneur' on the day.

Jacqueline Gold, Chief Executive of Ann Summers and Knickerbox - renowned for managing a company run by women, for women.

At the start of her career at 21, Jacqueline saw the potential to change the focus of Ann Summers to a business and brand which focused on women - enabling women to browse and shop for lingerie and sex toys in a safe, female friendly environment.

Attending an at-home Tupperware party however was the inspiration for the 'Ann Summers Party Plan' - taking sex toys and lingerie to women in the home environment.

The company is now a true multi-channel retailer with gross annual sales turnover of over £150 million, 143 UK & Ireland stores, 7,000 party planners (with 4,000 parties every week!) and a thriving online business. Success has come through hard work, determination and a belief in a unique concept. With no formal business training, Jacqueline ascribes her success to understanding women, good instincts and always listening to her customer.
Her many accolades include Retail Weeks Most Powerful Woman in Business and Barclays Bank’s Most Inspirational Businesswoman in the UK and she has featured in numerous publications including Cosmopolitan, Esquire and Good Housekeeping.

Jacqueline supports The Children’s Trust, The Retail Trust, RELATE and NAPAC as well as business startups. She runs a weekly twitter campaign called #WOW to support and promote businesswomen and acts as a mentor for Dragon Peter Jones’ Enterprise Academy and Lord Sugar’s business partner.
Jacqueline is also wife to Dan Cunningham, mum to four year old daughter Scarlett and a passionate West Ham fan! For more visit www.jacquelinegold.com

Naomi Timperley, Director 4Hub

Naomi Timperley is a director of 4Hub a social enterprise consultancy that supports social sector organisations, SME's and start ups. A whirlwind of energy who has the ability to motivate, inspire and lead others in any environment.  Dragons Den survivor Naomi was the UK Director of national events company Baby Loves Disco. Having successfully used word of mouth, grass roots marketing, PR and social media to spread the word worldwide about Baby Loves Disco she now works to advocate the use of these mediums of marketing a small business.

Naomi was recently named in 'The Maserati 100’ – a definitive list of Britain’s most successful business leaders actively supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs - Maserati and the Centre for Entrepreneurs (CFE).
http://4hub.co.uk
Twitter: @naomitimperley

Anne-Marie Martin - Managing Director and the Founder of the diddi dance  franchising company, franchise owner/manager.

As a professional dancer, Anne-Marie Martin performed in pop videos for artists such as Bryan Adams, on TV at the Brit Awards & Top of the Pops and in corporate shows and tours. After 10 years in the business she moved on to teaching, inspiring youngsters up to 5 and of all abilities in a variety of dance styles & performance techniques. Having spotted a gap in the market however for structured, fun, action packed dancing classes for all children as young as 18mths she set up diddi dance -  funky pre-school dance classes for girls and boys - and has never looked back.

diddi dance is now a franchised business across the length and breadth of the UK, allowing mums, dads, ex-dancers and former business employees to enjoy an established business of their own.  diddi dance boasts a franchisee satisfaction survey result of 95% plus glowing testimonials from celebrity parents!

For more details see www.diddidance.com

Debbie Bird – Mode Family Editor for Glam Family UK & babyworld.co.uk

Debbie is a very busy mum of two and Editor at Mode Media for Glam Family UK and babyworld.co.uk sites – two of the UK's top online parenting portals so she knows all too well how balancing family life AND a successful career can be a challenge - and how to manage the juggle!

Debbie has worked as an Editor for parenting websites for over 12 years and is a strong supporter of flexible, family-friendly working. In her current, varied role, Debbie keeps abreast of the latest products and businesses within the industry as well as the issues faced by working parents today and we are delighted to welcome her to the VIP judging panel. See more on Debbie and her story here or visit visit http://uk.glam.com/family/ and www.babyworld.co.uk

Jane Hopkins MBE - www.mumsclub.co.uk

Jane is the creator of the UK’s original networking organisation for entrepreneurial mums, providing support for mums in business.

Jane was flat broke when she identified a common problem, experienced by new mums, who like her were trying to start a business whilst juggling a young family. Taking advantage of free courses, she retrained in web design to create a solution and within a few short months the website, packed with start up information had attracted hundreds of members and now, 7 years later has over 6,000 members plus a social media network of 40,000. Members are frequently featured in national media thanks to media alerts provided by membership.

In recognition of the amount of mums who have benefited from MumsClub, Jane has been invited on a number of occasions, and by two serving Prime Ministers to Downing Street and was made MBE for Services to Entrepreneurship in 2012. She continues to inspire mums in business each day; from those right at the start of their business life, to those enjoying international success, support is available 24 hours a day at MumsClub.

When not working Jane can be found trailing after her 9 year old son, camping, buying shoes, or watching Game of Thrones. Again.

Twitter @mumsclub @janehopkinsmbe

Susannah Schofield is the Managing Director of software company Dice Matrix Consulting Ltd.

She is a specialist in SME businesses and her experience to the small business world led her to being recruited to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills ‘red tape’ advisory panel. Susannah speaks and consults on how to achieve sustainable growth through innovation, diversity or simply selling more of the same. As a successful, published business author of business strategy book – ‘Mind the gap, creating successful business strategy’, Susannah also owns the called Dice Matrix Consulting which enables businesses to write Strategic plans with great ease from factual sector specific evidence gained from the business itself.

The Dice Matrix Model has won awards for innovation and for supporting others in business. As well as the many lessons in leadership, sales and innovation learnt from her 15 years at Royal Mail at Director Board Level, Susannah’s expertise also includes building a business, motivating a team and women in business.
Dice Matrix

Nicky Chisholm - founder and co-director of The Mumpreneurs Networking Club

Nicky is a founder and co-director of one of the UK's most successful parent-focussed networking groups offering business networking events especially for mums and female entrepreneurs.

Nicky is an embracer of new technology and cites her main responsibilties within the MNC as statistics, digital development and sponsorship. When not in business meetings or declaring the latest stats for a month’s MNC networking, Nicky can be found be found travelling around in her lovely VW Camper van having adventures or curled up with her 2 boys eating cheese on toast.

Sara Guiel - founder and co-director of The Mumpreneurs Networking Club

Now covering 15+ different areas from Edinburgh to Brighton, the MNC plays a major role supporting and connecting Business Mums (and Dads) and recently reached the milestone of 10,000 visits! Sara's strengths lie specifically in the areas of business development, recruitment & training and communications.

Sara has 3 children and is working on keeping all her balls in the air! On any given day she can be found juggling school runs and business meetings, swimming lessons and networking, parents evenings and nights out!  Having met so many business mums since MNC first launched Nicky and Sara have a real insight into what makes a successful business and the challenges start-ups face. For more on the Mumpreneurs Networking Club see www.mumpreneursnetworkingclub.co.uk

Sam Willoughby, Founder & Director of What's On 4

In 2006 Sam Willoughby was a new mum who wanted a flexible, rewarding career. Before-baby, she delivered key projects within the financial services industry and on-line directories, but after her employer had refused her request for flexible working, Sam set about creating her own business which would work for her and her family and hopefully for other parents too. 

www.whatson4littleones.co.uk was launched to address a personal need for an up to date and comprehensive directory of activities for children under 5 years but this has grown into an international business with an events portfolio alongside the websites and a network of 40+ parents across the world working flexibly and this is set to reach over 100 by the end of 2014!

A winner of multiple business awards, Sam was also named Practical Parenting magazine's Business Parent of the Year. A passionate advocate of family-friendly working, Sam has a true understanding of the roller-coaster ride that is 'running your own business' and a real insight into the flexible needs of a team and the benefits this can bring an employer. See www.whatson4.co.uk for more on Sam and the What's On 4 team.

 

Our Media Supporter - babyworld.co.uk

Since 1996 babyworld has been available online for all mums and dads,  making it one of the oldest sites of its type in the UK.  Babyworld is supported by a passionate and dedicated team of people who have had close involvement in its nurturing and development since the beginning.  Babyworld is committed to bringing essential, up to date information and support, that is in tune with the needs of today’s parents. We believe that being a parent is one of the most important jobs that we will ever do and that information and a thriving community should be available to parents 24/7.
See www.babyworld.co.uk for more