Bank is flying the flag for International Women’s Day

More than 150 women are expected to attend the event on Friday, March 8, which will include speakers Professor Patricia Livsey, chief executive of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw Children's Hospice; Jackie Arnold, deputy chair of Cumbria LEP; and Kate Willard, head of corporate projects at Stobart Group.

It has been organised by the NatWest team Catherine Woodman, Anne Gibson, Alex Huddart, Jackie Bywater, Liz Gorst and Emma Loveridge.

Catherine said: “We are expecting around 150 people to attend on the day, which has been timed to coincide with International Women's Day.

“We’re delighted that our guests have agreed to speak to the attendees – it will be very inspirational.

“This is the third Women in Business networking event we’ve held and our events in October and January were very well attended.”

The event starts at 10.30am, with networking on arrival, followed by the speakers and then a light lunch. Tours of the airport will also take place. There will be showcases from around 12 female-led businesses.

If you wish to attend the event please register on www.tinyurl.com/natwestevent

Kate Willard, director of partnership development, Stobart Group

With a background in cultural and creativity, Kate has lived and worked in Hungary, France and Belgium, working as an independent regeneration expert with the European Commission on major transnational projects in employment, social cohesion, and regional development.

While in Hungary, she also established the first UK Hungarian cultural partnership trust - Brouhaha Magyarország, and was CEO of the UK’s first rural regeneration company – Rural Regeneration Cumbria.

Kate is a Churchill Fellow, FRSA, Chair of Atlantic Gateway, Opportunity South Essex and Arts Council North, and also sits on the Arts Council’s National Council.

Professor Patricia Livsey, chief executive of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw Children’s Hospice

Prof Livsey began her career as a nursery nurse, moving on to adult nursing and children’s nursing. She then became a health visitor and began a career in education, first working in further education and then into higher education.

She has worked in several universities; her academic roles include senior lecturer, head of department, associate dean, academic director, executive dean and deputy vice chancellor (academic). 

She has also had national roles, including work for the Nursing and Midwifery Council and Department of Health, monitoring academic and professional standards across the country. 

More recently, she was part of the group that developed the new proficiencies for nursing and the group that developed the new nursing associate role.

Last summer, she returned to her practice roots and moved into hospice care as chief executive.

Jackie Arnold MBE, Deputy Chair, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership Board, representing specialist manufacturing and based in Furness

Jackie Arnold, head of skills BAE Systems Submarines, is responsible for ensuring the provision of skills necessary for the business to deliver its business plan, primarily to design, build and commission nuclear submarines for the UK MoD submarine programme.

In this role, Jackie is responsible for the corporate responsibility agenda and, as such, owns the strategic relationship with local education providers. She is also vice-chair of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, a member of the North West Business Leadership Team and chairs the Furness Economic Development Forum.

A chartered accountant, Jackie has previously spent time in practice, public sector and private sector businesses and before this role with BAE she held roles as chief accountant.