Women in Business Forum
New for 2019, The Women in Business Forum will host a roundtable session, supported by representatives from leading organisations including Vodafone, McDonald's and ZeroDryTime, to help drive a positive social change.
Participants will have the chance to discuss experiences, exchange ideas and lead the conversation in promoting women's vital role within business.
Attendees will also have time to explore the event and learn more about the opportunities for women within franchising, followed by networking drinks from 4pm.
Our next forum will take place at The Northern Franchise Exhibition on Friday 21 June from 2pm onwards.
To book your free place, please email Anna.Booth@vmgl.com or click here.
Hosts include:
Anne Wainwright
Franchisee & Owner Operator | McDonald's
Anne joined McDonald’s as a franchisee ten years ago and now operates seven restaurants across Leeds and Wakefield in West Yorkshire. She is an accomplished businesswoman and has achieved many accolades along the way, including the Franchisee of the Year Award at the 2016 Encouraging Women Into Franchising Awards.
Not only does she manage a 700-strong team but she also supports the local community and regularly engages with the McDonald’s executive team, on behalf of franchisees, to help shape strategic business decisions for the brand. She arranges events in the local community, as well as sponsoring local grassroots football teams and working with Keep Britain Tidy on a number of projects.
Donna Watton
Franchisee | Vodafone
Donna Watton is a Vodafone Partner Agent in Boston Lancashire.
She worked for herself for seven years, and then worked for Vodafone in retail for 10 years. She loved both working for herself and for Vodafone, so becomming a Partner Agent was the perfect opportunity for her to combine the two – doing the job she loves while being her own boss.
Lizzie Bayley
Franchisee | ZeroDryTime
Lizzie Bayley has an extensive background in the private security industry, working with various clients internationally. She has also obtained a master's in contemporary warfare & international relations and is a serving Royal Air Force Reservist.
Moving forward, Lizzie wanted to invest in a business and be in charge of her own destiny, extensively researching the options in the franchise world to find Zerodrytime, the UK’s No1 dry Capet, upholstery and hard floor cleaners. A business that people will always need, plus build a huge client bank of repeat customers, ensuring future growth.
She started as the franchises first female franchisee in Bath and within 8 months had recouped her initial investment, then invested in the second area, Swindon. Lizzie has immersed herself in marketing to build her business. She specialises in dry carpet, upholstery & hard floor cleaning, also certified leather restoration & recolouring specialists.
Lizzie is now well on her way to building a future proof client base, servicing two areas with her first employee and is looking to expand again in the near future she will eventually turn her hand to complete management of a small fleet of vans servicing thousands of happy customers.