Keynote speakers leading the way for Cumbria businesses to mark H&H Group’s International Women’s Day, working lunch.
Planting the seed, growing a sustainable business and making it work, to be the main points of discussion at Cumbrian ladies’ lunch. As part of their support for International Women’s Day in March, H&H Group is hosting a lunch celebrating the success of Women leading the way in business in Cumbria.
The lunchtime gathering will take place on Tuesday 14th March at the Fleece at Ruleholme, and will be chaired by H&H Group Personnel Manager and Company Secretary, Margaret Irving, who will introduce two outstanding speakers, Diane Hannah the Co-founder and Director of The Herdy Company and Gill Haigh , Managing Director at Cumbria Tourism.
The overall aim of the event is to recognise the significant role which women play within business, to share thoughts and ideas, and to meet with likeminded women. The speakers are both outstanding examples of successful women industry leaders, and their experience and insight will be fascinating.
Diane Hannah will discuss the story of the brand from inception to the present day, and give advice to others on growing a business. Gill Haigh, will outline Future trends in tourism and the importance of a sustainable offering.
On announcing details of this event, Margaret Irving said: “ International Women’s Day celebrates and recognises the role women play within industry so understandably we are absolutely delighted that two of Cumbria’s most influential and inspirational business women have agreed to be our speakers.”
For many women starting a business can be daunting, and we hope that in hosting this lunch we are creating both a learning platform and a platform for discussion where new ideas can be planted and future plans made.”
A 2005 trip to Helsinki with her husband, Spencer, inspired designer Diane Hannah to bring some Scandinavian design to The Lakes. They launched The Herdy Company in 2007, with three products all bearing the face of Lakeland’s iconic Herdwick sheep. Success blossomed, more products were added and now they have four stores in the Lake District, supply over 250 UK outlets and trade as far away as Japan and America. Giving back is important to them: their Herdy Fund sponsors projects, and works with rural community initiatives and upland fell farmers who care for Herdwicks. They created the Herdwick Quality Mark Branding, managed by the Herdwick Sheep Breeders’ Association, to support the meat’s protected designation.
Gill Haigh has been the Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism for the past five years. Cumbria Tourism is the county’s largest membership organisation, the official voice of the industry worth £3.1bn to the economy and representing approximately 2500 member businesses. Gill joined the organisation in 2017, following previous senior leadership roles in travel and tourism, education, and agriculture .
The H&H Group’s Women in Business lunch is free, and places are limited. Welcome drinks will commence from 11.30am, followed by a two-course lunch and presentations. To book your place contact Nina Oxley at the H&H Group by emailing her direct