International Women’s Day lunch

Rachel Evans,  Relationship Executive

It was a pleasure to host a table for Gallagher at the recent International Women's Day lunch held at Bohemia Bar & Restaurant – an inspiring event that brought together remarkable women from across the Island.

The theme of this year was “Give to Gain: Strength, Purpose and What We Carry Forward”, reflecting the spirit of International Women’s Day, which celebrates the progress made in the fight for equality whilst highlighting the ongoing importance of issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and tackling violence and abuse against women.

The lunch was hosted in conjunction with Macmillan Jersey, whose work continues to make a profound difference to those affected by cancer across the Island.

The panel featured a truly inspirational group of women: Catherine Best, the designer with outlets across the Channel Islands; Georgina Cook, an influencer and highly respected property lawyer; Serena Guthrie, the former England netball captain and the CEO of Macmillan Jersey, Steph Gibaut.

The discussion was expertly hosted by Sophie Clyde-Smith of the Alt Collective.

Listening to their stories was both stimulating and motivating. Each speaker shared experiences from different worlds: building successful businesses, competing at the highest levels of sport, leading within the charitable sector and navigating the challenges and opportunities of social media influence.

One of the key themes which resonated throughout was how obstacles and challenges can shape our future. By embracing difficulties and facing challenges head on, we can build resilience, confidence and grow both professionally and personally.

Georgina Cook

Georgina, in particular, stood out to me. During a particularly difficult and turbulent time in her life, she found self-discovery and growth, which saw her become a successful social media influencer while continuing her role as an advocate. 

Her popular “Sparkle Fridays” (wearing sparkly clothing) celebrate self-expression and creativity, encouraging others to “be yourself” and “be happy” – something I’d love to introduce to all workplaces.

Serena Guthrie

Serena, who earned more than 100 caps for the England netball team – including 28 as captain – shared valuable insights on how to overcome adversity and the importance of mental strength and motivation.

She explained how, as a youngster, she attended England trials only to learn that she was unlikely to be selected. A resilient and determined young player, she chose to stay at the trial and to put her best foot forward which resulted in her being selected for a prestigious high-performance academy. Her hard work and commitment shone through.

Catherine Best

Catherine is a powerful example of entrepreneurial spirit in action and believes she inherited her father’s dedication and work ethic.

She turned her passion for crafting wood in her workshop to trading at craft fairs into a second-generation business empire, now supported by her two daughters.

Catherine has received numerous awards for her skill, devotion and passion for the jewellery industry.

Steph Gibaut

Steph is widely recognised for her compassionate leadership and commitment for supporting our community.

Under her leadership, Macmillan Jersey continues to provide vital support services for those affected by cancer and their families.

Her work has earned nominations for community awards recognising her “selflessness, vision and authenticity” in supporting people affected by cancer on the Island.

It was also wonderful to welcome a number of our fantastic local clients to the event. The lunch provided a great opportunity to share experiences, celebrate achievements and recognise the strength and impact of the talented women within their teams.

The strong attendance at the lunch also meant fantastic support for Macmillan Jersey. For every woman present, the funding raised enables Macmillan to provide two counselling sessions for a cancer patient, helping ensure people receive the support they need when facing some of life’s most difficult moments