Member Article

North East business women’s network launched to guide next generation

Business women from across the North East have launched a new mentoring network to help nurture and inspire the next generation of young women leaders.

Find Your Future, based in Northumberland, is a voluntary membership network founded by Jacqui Henderson CBE that aims to work with schools, colleges and youth groups across the county. It seeks to raise the confidence and ambitions of young women and help them to achieve their career ambitions.

With over 40 professional women as members, the network will draw on their personal insight and experience from working in a number of key sectors operating across the North East including engineering, manufacturing, marketing, health, education and the public sector.

Jacqui said: “Research undertaken in 2012 by Newcastle University and Northumberland County Council largely revealed that lack of confidence and self-belief often act as barriers to young women achieving their career aspirations.

“Through Find Your Future, we’re aiming to break down these barriers by utilizing the vast collective experience and knowledge of the successful Northeast role models within our network. Our mission is to encourage and facilitate more apprenticeship and employment opportunities for young women to help deliver a diverse and skilled workforce in the region.”

The network’s flagship campaign ‘Find Your Voice, Find Your Future’ which comes into action next month, will see members of the network working with schools and colleges to run a series of workshops, one-to-one coaching sessions and work experience placements.

It will also offer the chance to ‘Spend a day with’ one of the members in their workplace. This innovative idea has attracted the attention of a number of local education providers with seven high schools already signing up to take part.

Jacqui continued: “I am delighted to have attracted so many executive women from across the region who are committed to being part of this initiative. I’m hoping that others who feel passionately about improving the future opportunities for young women will want to join us.”

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