Inspiring women in leadership coming to Uni of Brighton later this month

Join the School of Business and Law on Thursday 26 January, between 2pm and 5pm in 404 Elm House, for an inspiring panel discussion. We’ll be joined by four inspirational business leaders for a discussion on sustainability and growth.

Women in Leadership: Sustainability and Growth is open to all students, alumni, staff and our local business network.

Our panel will explore the key challenges facing women in business and how to overcome them, with the aim to build inclusive and diverse business environments that encourage partnership and allyship for sustainable growth.

“The Women in Leadership series addresses the identified necessity for visible role models, through guest speakers and training,” says Adaeze Okoye – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at the School of Business and Law.

Showcasing women leading transformational change in business and law represents our commitment to advancing gender injustice and equality.

There are limited spaces so book your place!

More about our panellists

Jemma Fairclough-Haynes, employment law specialist 

Jemma is a public speaker, employment law specialist and CEO of global award-winning business Orchard Employment Law. She’s also the Federation of Small Business (FSB) Area Leader for Kent and Medway, and a school governor at a local school.

Often featured in the media and blogs as an expert in her field, some of her most recent interviews have been on BBC South-East, ITV, BBC Radio Kent, Times Radio, KMTV and the Daily Mail.

With over a decade of experience in employment law, Jemma has represented businesses of various sizes in employment tribunals across the UK, and in various types of claims. She’s the owner of Orchard Employment Law, an employment law and HR consultancy firm, which she founded in 2015.

Jemma is a dynamic speaker who takes the bore out of law. Her presentations have been described as “eye-opening”, “interesting” and “refreshing”, but are most importantly relatable and easy to understand.

Tanya Petherick, business consultant 

Tanya is a cross-sector business consultant, trainer and mentor who specialises in leadership and management, strategy development, and marketing.

She has more than 15 years of experience in co-leading Brighton-based childcare company Class Of Their Own, which employed 150+ staff in 16 locations. After selling Class Of Their Own in 2019, Tanya has since founded a new company, Club Central.

Tanya is also one of our School of Business and Law advisory board members and a governor of the Sussex Community Foundation Trust. She holds a Leadership MBA with distinction from the University of Brighton.

Desiree Artesi, barrister 

Desiree was called to the Bar of England and Wales in October 1998 by the Inner Temple, and is part of Thomas More Chambers in London. She has a diverse civil and commercial practice, including all aspects of property, public law and judicial review.

She is regularly instructed and has successfully appeared in the Privy Council in appeals concerning difficult, complex and interesting points of constitutional and human rights law. Desiree has a particular interest in international commercial arbitration with a focus on Caribbean and North American jurisdictions. A member of the Caribbean Group of Arbitrators, Desiree was also called to the Bar in St Lucia with the ability to practice throughout the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. In 2014, Desiree was appointed as a Bencher to the Honourable Society of Inner Temple.

In 2016 Desiree was appointed to the Board of Counsel Magazine, with responsibility for advising on editorial policy and content. The publication is the leading source of information for barristers in England and Wales, as well as internationally. She has interviewed a number of prolific individuals including the Attorney General of England and Wales, Sir Geoffrey Cox QC, Gary Younge, Editor-at-large of the Guardian Newspapers, Lord Anthony Hughes, and Cherie Blair QC.

Over the years Desiree has written extensively and been engaged in professional training at all levels. She’s an affiliate expert of the Centre for Law and Social Justice at Leeds University, and has a keen interest in social justice issues.

Adelle Martin, menopause coach 

Aged 40 Adelle Martin suffered an early menopause and breakdown, threatening to derail her 22-year career in business and finance. At the time she was misdiagnosed with chronic stress and exhaustion.

Twelve years on, she is now an accredited menopause coach, pro fitness bodybuilding athlete, personal trainer, speaker, campaigner and business owner.

She started her company The Menopause Resilience Club after leaving her 32-year corporate career working in financial services as a HR professional. Adelle teaches women how to build a strong body and their business through her unique Menopause Resilience System.

About this event 

Women in Leadership: Sustainability and Growth is sponsored by our Help to Grow: Management course, which is a 90% government-funded course that helps businesses unlock their growth potential.

Don’t miss out – there’s only a limited number of tickets. Reserve your place!