Pankhurst legacy inspires calls for inclusive growth at Chamber event

A leading women’s rights campaigner has urged North East businesses to challenge traditional models of working and accelerate progress on gender equality at a North East Chamber of Commerce event.

Speaking at the 1815 Lunch yesterday, Professor Helen Pankhurst CBE, British women's rights activist, scholar and writer, highlighted the vital role of collaboration and business adaptability as powerful drivers of inclusive growth.

Professor Pankhurst said: “We all have a role to play in creating a more inclusive society, we must collectively keep pushing for change. Making sure we have wider and more reflective conversations is critical, as is listening.

“Businesses that understand that more flexibility can allow for efficiency and equitable results are thriving. It’s important to embrace flexible working with thoughtfulness, your people are the magic.”

Pankhurst argued that traditional models of work, built around constant availability, fail to reflect the realities of many people’s lives, particularly women.

She urged leaders to recognise and engage with discomfort as a necessary step toward progress. “It's in that space that you open up to change,” she said.

As the great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst, both central figures in the suffragette movement, Helen said she’s “proud” of her family legacy.

Whilst in conversation with Dr Suzanne Hague, Principal Lecturer at Teesside University, Professor Pankhurst said: “I’m delighted that the Pankhurst name still means something. It stands for change and equality, it's about women saying it doesn't have to be like this.”

Pankhurst explored the transformative impact of women’s participation in leadership and politics, sharing that women’s representation in Parliament remains unequal, at 41%.

She said: “Women in leadership bring something different in terms of process and content. They tend to be more emotionally engaged.

“We need to ask ourselves ‘what does leadership look like and why does it look like this in certain spaces and not others?’

“Emmeline’s ideas of leadership were very different to Sylvia. Emmeline led a military campaign, she said a small cohort will make a big difference. Sylvia said it’s about democracy, and the need for a shared voice.

“For me, I think different ideas about risk taking are incredibly important. Links to the bottom line of what success looks like over time and how women look at that differently is key.”

Helen also shared information on her charity Centenary Action, hosted by CARE International UK, which she established in 2018.

Centenary Action’s mission is to ensure a gender equal Parliament in the UK by 2028, the centenary of equal franchise.

Helen said: “To bring about necessary change we need to make sure we have allies across all divisions. Events such as today provide a platform and create important links between politics and business.

“The centenary in 2028 will dovetail with the next general election and younger people being able to vote from 16 years of age for the first time, this will see a widening of democracy. We need to discuss the multifaceted effect of what that looks like.

“Young people are often at the forefront of socially progressive change, it’s key for businesses to utilise these voices.”

Rhiannon Bearne, Deputy Chief Executive at the North East Chamber of Commerce, shared information on the Chamber’s continued focus on equity, diversity and inclusion, including its Women in Business programme.

She said: “Creating a culture where all individuals have the tools, opportunities and sense of empowerment to bring their full self to work makes strong business sense.

“We know that inclusive organisations are better positioned to grow, adapt and compete, and that representation at senior levels has a direct impact on performance and decision‑making. That’s why this work is so important and will remain a key priority for the Chamber for achieving inclusive economic growth.”

The event was sponsored by Saica. Riccardo Tonelli, Regional Director at Saica, emphasised that business success is rooted in employee wellbeing, local engagement and strong networks.

Riccardo said: “We do good work with local employers and communities, and we are all about people. We have created a strong network, and we invest in our people, suppliers and customers.”

He added: “Connections are key to taking businesses from surviving to thriving and this is the perfect platform. The Chamber brings people together.”

Bringing the event to a close, Catherine Orridge, assistant principal at the Chamber’s large business associate sponsor Newcastle College, reinforced the key message that people are the driving force behind progress.

Catherine said: “From skills development to workplace culture, we need to work together to invest in our future generations.

“We need to bridge the gap between education and employment through meaningful work experience opportunities that equip young people with essential skills. That’s why events such as today are so important.”

The Chamber’s 1815 Lunch took place at Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham yesterday (30 April) and brought together around 140 senior leaders from the largest and most influential businesses across the North East.

Image caption: (l-r) Rhiannon Bearne, Deputy CEO, NECC; Professor Helen Pankhurst CBE; Dr Suzanne Hague, Principal Lecturer, Teesside University and Chair of Partners, NECC; Catherine Orridge, Assistant Principal, Newcastle College; Riccardo Tonelli, Regional Director, Saica.