Member Article

Forward Ladies sold in member buy-out

Leeds-based Forward Ladies, the business support organisation for professional women, which was set up by Etta Cohen in 2000, has been sold to one of its members.

With a database of more than 13,000 professional women throughout the country, Etta has sold the business for an undisclosed amount to Griselda Togobo (ACA, MPhil), a business growth consultant and the founder of AWOVI Consulting.

Griselda is committed to supporting and empowering women in business and has been doing so through her consultancy practice, educational workshops, seminars and speaking engagements.

She is a member of Forward Ladies and latterly its regional manager for Bradford. Griselda said: “I want to stay true to the original ethos of Forward Ladies, its inclusivity and integrity and to supporting professional women from all walks of life to achieve more than they ever dreamt possible.

“Forward Ladies is an inclusive organisation for all women, not just those at the very top of their careers. Most women juggle their professional lives with the needs of their families and everyone has a different definition of success”.

Forward Ladies has hosted many thousands of events, taken trade missions to Hong Kong and Brussels, networked in South Africa, Monaco, Milan, Cyprus and Latvia, visited the European Parliament, the Palace of Westminster, and encouraged hundreds of small business owners to do business with each other.

Founder Etta Cohen’s decision to step back from the pressures of running a business full time means she will take on an ambassadorial role for Forward Ladies, but plans to work with charities and as a guest speaker.

Etta said: “Griselda has always been a tremendous advocate for Forward Ladies and she has great plans to move the organisation forward.

“ I’m sure the members will join me in supporting her in achieving that, and to ensuring Forward Ladies will go from strength to strength, and become a major force to be reckoned with.“

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .