Calling all Aberdeen locals - we’re running our first egg event in your city, and we’d love to have you there!
Yep, that’s right, we’re going on tour with our ‘Women on Top’ events - a series designed to inspire and create community in a relaxed setting.
Our egg head and queen of brilliant interviews, Kylie Reid (did you know she just interviewed Lorraine Kelly in Edinburgh about her new book?!) will chat to our two speakers to see why Dr Jeanette Forbes OBE said “life begins at 40”, and how Jo Fairley managed to juggle journalism and founding Green & Black’s in one go!
Open to everyone, our events are all about breaking down barriers for women in business. As part of that, we’re delighted to offer free childcare at this event, provided by the professionals at Thank Evans. We’re really proud to say this event series is supported by the Scottish Government Pathways Pre-Start Fund, and RBS.
Let’s get into it then, shall we?
Who’s who?
Jo Fairley - Green & Black’s Founder, journalist & inspirational speaker
After leaving school at 16 with six ‘O’ Levels, Jo Fairley became the youngest-ever magazine editor in the UK, at the age of 23. Then, in 1991, Jo then founded Green & Black’s chocolate brand in 1991 with her husband, which was bought by Cadbury’s in 2005. Green & Black’s was the world’s first organic chocolate, and it’s become a global ethical name, and the first-ever product to carry the UK Fairtrade Mark. The brand is now approaching a $100 million a year company and Jo remains a ‘Chocolate Ambassador’.
And Jo didn’t stop there! She’s become a serial entrepreneur setting up an organic store and opening a wellbeing centre in her home town of Hastings. On top of that, Jo is also the author of ‘The Beauty Bible’ - a bestselling series of books on beauty and wellbeing - and a regular columnist for the UK’s leading magazines and newspapers.
Dr Jeanette Forbes OBE - Chief Executive & Founder of PCL Group and Owner of Grape & Grain
Moving to Aberdeen in 1986, Jeanette is a highly accomplished businesswomen and entrepreneur with two totally different businesses - PCL Group, an IT provider, and Grape & Grain, an upmarket wine bar! After being made redundant in 2000, Jeanette founded PCL Group which has now grown to servicing 27 countries. Grape & Grain came along in 2017 and it’s now a multi-award-winning wine bar in Aberdeen.
As if that’s not enough, Jeanette is also the CEO of Blue Gentoo and a Director of OMMICA which develop technology for the emerging net-zero EnergyTech sector. She’s a board member on several Scottish Government partnerships and associations, was a founding member of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce business mentoring programme, and is a Burgess of the City of Aberdeen. Oh, and she’s been featured in two books about women in leadership! Phew!
Kylie Reid - egg Head
Hopefully a familiar name to lots of you already, Kylie is our very own trailblazer who is the founder of egg. You can read her story on our website to get to know her a little better. But in the meantime, she'll be gearing up to interview these two female powerhouses about their careers, learnings and top tips for eggs. Sure to make you laugh, Kylie is the ultimate chilled-out host at events and you'll feel right at home straight away.
The nitty gritty details - when, where, who, dress code?
- Where? We’re hosting the event at Aberdeen Music Hall - an iconic and inspiring space in the city for us all to come together.
- Who? The event is open to everyone (that means paying members and non-members). We want our 'Women on Top' series to reach as many good eggs as possible.
- When? Taking place from 10:30am - 12:30pm, we'll have tea, coffee and pastries available.
- Dress code? We're a relaxed and friendly bunch, so there's no dress code. Just be yourself.
How does the childcare service work?
- Thank Evans will be there on the day in a separate room nearby to look after your little ones.
- Children between 0-10 years are welcome
- You’ll need to pack lunch for your mini eggs, and enough nappies and wipes to last a few hours.
- And yep, it's paid for by us already so there's no extra costs to mums!
If you have any other questions, you can always drop us an email on [email protected] we'll come back to you. If not, we can't wait to see you there!