This event is for Chamber members only and is a full day event including lunch. If you’d like to speak to us about membership please contact [email protected].
Due to limited numbers, please note that there are only 1-2 free spaces available per organisation. As requested, if more than 2 people from each organisation would like to attend it is possible by purchasing extra tickets at £30+VAT.
Now in its fourteenth year, the Chamber Inspiring Women in Business Conference aims to inspire and connect women in business across the North East of England with this annual event as part of our Inspiring Women in Business programme of events.
The conference will feature speakers from business and public life in the North East highlighting the success stories of women in business in the region, and tackling the issues that will help ensure the role of women in our business community continues to accelerate in the years to come.
The event will be held at Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham and has limited numbers. There will be a waiting list in place.
Speakers include:
Alexandra Knight – Founder, STEMAZING
Alex is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and Fellow of the Women’s Engineering Society. After a career of over 15 years in Industry working in engineering consultancy and innovation, she founded STEMAZING – a social enterprise dedicated to inspiration and inclusion in STEM.
She is also a TEDx speaker and appeared on multiple television programmes as an engineering expert for Prime, Channel 5 and Curiosity Stream to be more visible as an engineer promoting a positive message of engineering to the public (TEDx Talk “Why Visibility, Courage and Sex Matter in Engineering” has 370k views so far on TED YouTube channel).
Kathryn Meadows – Owner, Nicholson’s Butchers
Fourth-generation owner of Nicholson Butchers. Has transformed the family business through modernisation, strategic investment, and a focus on her team and community. Under her leadership, turnover has doubled, the shop renovated, and operations streamlined. As the first female Chair of the Q Guild of Butchers, she champions innovation, inclusivity, and industry support. A passionate mentor, Kathryn inspires others to see butchery as a rewarding career. Her proudest role is being mum to twin girls, showing them the value of hard work, creativity, and purpose.
Meg Hardiman – Development and Marketing Officer, The Community Foundation
Won the Rising Star award at the Chamber Business Awards 2026. Currently on the Chamber future leaders programme and has made an outstanding impact at Community Foundation North East in just one year. Through her enthusiasm, initiative and strong relationship-building skills, she has become a trusted advisor, expanded professional networks, influenced major regional events and transformed the foundation’s digital strategy. Meg does a lot of work with the north east women and girls fund and her potential to drive lasting impact across the region is clear.
Sam Rennison KPM – former Chief Superintendent, Northumbria Police. Founder of The Experience Effect
Winner of the Inspiring Woman in Business Award at the Chamber Awards 2025.
Samantha began her policing career at 20 and spent three decades in roles that included specialist firearms, public order command, organisational change and leading response policing. Alongside the operational work, she focused on improving and promoting pathways for women into roles traditionally seen as more attractive to men, challenging long-standing assumptions about who steps forward and who gets seen. Her contributions to firearms, organisational change and supporting women were recognised in the New Year’s Honours with the King’s Police Medal. Continuing her commitment to fairness and female representation, Sam founded The Experience Effect – a consultancy that helps organisations understand how recruitment, onboarding and early cultural signals influence womens attraction to roles, confidence and long-term retention.
Dress code: We don’t stipulate a dress code at our events, but we’d recommend you dress like you’re going to meet new clients. The most important thing is that you're comfortable.
Behaviour & Conduct: Our events create an inclusive space for individuals and organisations to meet where we expect all our attendees to behave with courtesy and respect, to both each other and Chamber colleagues.
If you have any queries please contact [email protected] or [email protected].
Inspiring Women in Business Awards are now open - for more information and to enter click here Inspiring Women in Business Awards 2026