On Tuesday 22nd September, over 100 women gathered for the Be Digital Launch Event at the stunning Alnwick Gardens, to meet fellow business women, to be inspired by three incredible guest speakers, all real women who shared their very real stories of how they started out and worked hard to build their own extraordinary businesses, together with our wonderful hostess, Chloe Hall, and Springboard Programme delivery lead, Pascal Fintoni.
This story page collects together as a momento of the day the film by Mark, Chris & George of MC-Media, images by Rachel of RJM Photography and the brief biographies of our three speakers from the event.
It was a special day made all the more so by everyone who was there on the day and who continue to be very much part of Northumberland’s Be Digital Story.
We were very proud to be joined for the launch of Be Digital by special guests Michelle Mone OBE, Tanya Garland and Layla Welsh.
Michelle Mone OBE
Michelle Mone OBE, a leading voice on entrepreneurship and founder of lingerie brand Ultimo. Most recently appointed as Prime Minister David Cameron’s new entrepreneurship tsar for areas of high unemployment within the UK in addition to her new appointment to The House Of Lords. Michelle is an internationally successful speaker who has spoken around the world, on platforms with everyone from the President of India to Chuck Hagel, the former US Defense Secretary. She is fast developing a reputation globally as a speaker who is raw, real and inspiring – the qualities that have made her the Number 1 speaker in the UK. She currently mentors over 100 people around the world. Speaking of number 1, Michelle’s autobiography, ‘My Fight To The Top’, smashed the top of the bookseller charts when it was released earlier this year.
Tanya Garland
Tanya Garland, Managing Director of Cool Blue, a multi award-winning integrated marketing agency specialising in PR, digital, social media and design. Tanya set up Cool Blue 15 years ago following roles with Hill & Knowlton and JWT. Since then the agency has grown its client roster to include FTSE 100 companies as well as some of the UK’s most respected brands. Growing in strength, Cool Blue now has offices in Newcastle, Middlesborough and London.
Layla Welsh
Layla Welsh, owner of French Grey Tales, is a creator and painter and can be found creating fabulousness at her flagship store in Morpeth, Northumberland. Layla started her business with just £100 and has overcome adversity to grow her business out of her kitchen and into a flourishing store – all whilst juggling hospital appointments and two small children. Layla is one of our Be Digital ambassadors and is currently looking to franchise her shabby chic business across the UK.
