Northampton hosts Female Founders Summit with Mary Portas as headline speaker

On Friday and Saturday next week, Northampton will be the stage for an empowering event designed to help women thrive in business, featuring the renowned ‘Queen of Shops,’ Mary Portas, as the headline speaker.

The Female Founders Summit 2024, organised by accredited master coach Lucienne Shakir in collaboration with West Northamptonshire Council and a network of local businesswomen, will take place on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th July across various town centre venues.

Mary Portas, celebrated businesswoman, broadcaster, author, and activist, is best known for her BBC series Mary Queen of Shops and her work with some of the biggest names in global retail. As co-chair of the Better Business Act, she leads a coalition advocating for UK companies to align their interests with broader societal and environmental goals. She will grace the stage at the Royal Theatre on Saturday evening.

Northampton-based Lucienne, who has coached and supported hundreds of female founders all over the world to create brilliant businesses, said: “I am thrilled to be bringing the Female Founders Summit to my hometown for the first time and to be welcoming such an inspiring and celebrated public figure to share her insight and experience as a successful businesswoman.

“We also have Emma Bridgewater and many more high-profile experts lined up to be announced soon, so I am not exaggerating when I say this will be a truly accessible, transformational and actionable live experience that will leave a lasting impact on those who attend.”

The Female Founders Summit 2024 will feature in-depth learning and masterclasses across various venues within Northampton’s cultural quarter, including the Royal Theatre, Delapré Abbey, Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Northampton Film House, and Vulcan Works.

Topics will cover essential themes for female founders, such as generating a £1million recurring revenue, growing an online presence and personal brand without fear, and more. With only one in five female-led businesses in the UK reaching the £1million revenue milestone and women often receiving less financial backing, Lucienne says the importance of this summit cannot be overstated.

“Female founders don’t have a dedicated space,” she added. “There are few live events specifically designed for us, catering to our needs as female entrepreneurs. The Female Founders Summit, now in its third year, aims to change that by providing powerful content from experts based on their lived experiences, especially for those who cannot afford coaching and support.”

The event is in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council and local female-led organisations: The Brady Creative, Goldings Communications, and The Lewis Foundation.

To book your place Visit: https://thecew.luciennecoaching.com/female-founders-summit-2024