62 WOMEN IN BUSINESS
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Her journey reflects talent and hard work, and a commitment to the Haslingden utilities contractor and its success. She inspires colleagues in the male-dominated utilities industry Her leadership and resilience make her a standout figure.
KATHRYN ROBINSON
HR director, Navigator Tissue UK
Kathryn is an exceptional leader and her commitment
to creating an inclusive and high-performing workplace has made a significant impact within Navigator. She has led its transformative ‘Powering Our Potential’ programme, resulting in substantial improvements in individual well-being, performance, and overall business outcomes, including increased turnover. Away from work, she is also a People and Culture trustee and incoming vice chair of Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone.
RETA ROSE
Partner, Farleys
Reta joined law firm Farleys back in 2016, with several years of legal marketing
experience behind her. She rose through the ranks to become partner in 2023. Reta has shown inspirational qualities in the support she offers to colleagues, her dedication to cementing Farleys as a leading place to work and her relationships with networks across the Lancashire business community.
SPEAKMAN
Managing director, Code Galaxy
Mary Speakman is a driving force in Lancashire’s tech and
digital education sector. She has revolutionised the way young people and businesses approach coding and digital skills. Her leadership has empowered countless individuals, particularly women and girls, to step into the world of technology with confidence. A champion for innovation and inclusivity, she has not only built a thriving software company in Blackpool but has also inspired a new generation of tech talent in Lancashire.
BECKY TOAL
Founder, Crowberry Consultancy
Becky is an environmental and sustainability
professional with more than 20 years’ experience in delivering sustainable solutions to business. Having worked for the
PAULINE WILD
Managing partner, Forbes
Pauline stands as one of Lancashire’s most influential
women in business as a result of her MARY WHITTLE
Head of corporate and partner, Brabners
Nikki qualified as a lawyer in 2008 and
joined the firm’s Lancashire office in 2016. Recognised as a ‘Next Generation Lawyer ‘by The Legal 500 for 2025, Nikki’s accolades include winning the ‘Young Lawyer of the Year’ award at young professionals’ awards in 2018 and being named one of the region’s top 25 female entrepreneurs and innovators to watch in 2021 by Lancashire Business View. She continues to be an important influence and trusted advisor.
ANNETTE WEEKES
Vice President and GM, Senior Aerospace Weston
Burnley born Annette
has had a distinguished career in engineering with high-profile roles in the sector within Lancashire and the wider business world. She is a non-executive director of the North West Aerospace Alliance, has been a director of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce since 2013 and is a member of Pendle Vision Board. At the beginning of lockdown, she helped set up a Covid manufacturing cluster, addressing NHS shortages by connecting local manufacturers to local hospital needs.
NIKKI
Co-operative Group in Manchester for five years as environmental programme manager, Becky left in 2006 to establish Crowberry Consulting. She won the Environmental Professional of the Year award with the Society for the Environment for her work on the COP26 gathering in Glasgow, implementing sustainability for the team in the government and Cabinet Office.
ASHLEY WALKER
Managing director, HSE Advice UK
Since starting the Lancaster business in 2021, Ashley
has grown the company by more than 50 per cent each year. HSE Advice UK assists companies in their legal compliance, with its clients ranging from Lancaster City Council to national fostering agencies. Ashley launched ‘Bubblewrap’, a business compliance podcast last year and the business won the Bibas 2024 New Business Award.
DEBORAH WILLIAMS
Director, Compass Skills Training
Deborah is passionate about
occupational health and safety and the Chorley company has supported many Lancashire businesses in developing their processes and staff to exceed minimum requirements. Most recently she was part of a working group developing a qualification specifically for health technicians that support clinical nursing staff in providing occupational health screening for workers. It was nationally recognised last year and rollout has started across the UK.
transformative leadership. Since assuming the managing partner role in 2022, she has spearheaded significant initiatives that have propelled the firm’s growth and reinforced its commitment to community engagement and support for women. Pauline is a dedicated champion for advancing women in the legal profession. Her focus on creating opportunities for women extends beyond Forbes, inspiring a broader cultural shift within the legal sector through her vast Lancashire connections acquired from a longstanding and notable career in the profession.
WILLIAMS
Leader, Blackpool Council
Lynn is the first female leader of Blackpool
Council and was recognised in the King’s birthday honours for her work leading the regeneration of the resort and for services to local government. She has been involved in improving children’s services, headed a review of youth service, and led the ‘It Stops Here ‘campaign to tackle abuse. Lynn works as a solicitor and alongside Phillippa Williamson from Lancashire County Council has played a key role in the devolution deal for the county.
PHILLIPPA WILLIAMSON
Leader, Lancashire County Council
Phillippa was first elected to the
council in 2017 and in 2021 she became leader at County Hall. She has been involved in various initiatives, including promoting skills development programmes. She was heavily involved the work to get a devolution deal for Lancashire, is a member of the Local Government Association’s People and Places Board and has appointments to several outside bodies, such as the National Employers Organisation for School Teachers (NEOST).
LYNN
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