Bdaily meets Forward Ladies: networking for professional women

Forward Ladies is a networking organisation for profesional women that provides a broad range of business support for members. Bdaily caught up with managing director Linda Barlow to find out more.

In a nutshell - what is Forward Ladies all about?

Foward Ladies (FL) is the UK’s leading business support organisation, connecting, inspiring, informing and supporting women at all levels and stages of professional life.

We have created a thriving business community which offers women a warm, professional environment to develop both personally and professionally and make a valuable contribution to the UK economy. FL supports its members through the provision of a comprehensive range of products and services including skills training, professional development programmes, access to role models, peer group mentoring scheme, high level speakers from industry and politics, enterprise groups and major business awards ceremonies. We work with women at all levels and stages of business including those running their own enterprises and others from the corporate/SME sectors.

Why is there a need for a gender-specific networking organisation?

FL has an unrivalled understanding of the issues affecting women which can often prevent them from achieving their full potential. We provide an environment where women are welcomed, valued and not judged by others.

At many events male business colleagues are welcome to join us. Often women find it beneficial to discuss, share and support other women. At FL we believe that people do business with people they know and trust. For many years and still today there are many male dominated organisations that can be intimidating for many women.

What do Forward Ladies participants come to the network for?

FL members come for a number of reasons; first and foremost to do business, secondly to connect with and support other like-minded women. They enjoy the quality and variety of our events where building relationships rather than hard selling is the order of the day.

You have a mentoring programme - what does this entail?

Our mentoring programme has two key aspects. One to one mentoring where ladies support each other on an individual basis. Our Female Emerging Entrepreneur (FEE) programme provides peer group mentoring. Groups meet regularly in a confidential environment to support each other in the growth and development of their businesses.

What are the ambitions for Forward Ladies?

FL will be the UK’s leading voice for women. We will be the single point of contact for all women to gain the support, training and the opportunities they need to achieve success. We will work to ensure the UK economy benefits from the skills and entrepreneurial spirit that women have to offer.

More information on Forward Ladies can be found here.

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