International Women’s Day 2009

Women Shaping the Future of Wales takes place at the Village Hotel in Swansea on Thursday 5 March, and is organised by ITWales.

Since its inception in the early 1900s, International Women’s Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration of the achievements and potential of women. Women Shaping the Future of Wales will build upon the success of previous ITWales events by not only providing an insight into the diverse range of career opportunities for women in the 21st century, but also offering a platform for sharing experiences, knowledge and best practice for women working with science and technology.

Jonathan Hill, news anchor of ITV Wales Wales Tonight will act as master of ceremonies, and a panel of high profile female speakers, each leaders in their respective fields will share their personal and professional experiences with the attendees.

This year’s event boasts a line-up of inspiring speakers including:

Emma Westecott, Research Fellow, Computer Games Design, Newport School of Art, Media & Design at University of Wales Newport, who has worked in the game industry for over ten years producing and programming games, as well as lecturing in game design internationally.

Laura Tenison MBE, founder and Managing Director of JoJo Maman Bébé Limited, the UK’s foremost niche market specialist in the pregnancy and baby market, who has grown the company organically from start-up to its current £19m gross turnover without the need for VC or private equity.

Baroness Professor Ilora Finlay of Llandaff, professor of palliative medicine at Cardiff University School of Medicine and a consultant at the Velindre cancer centre in Cardiff. She is also a cross-bench member of the House of Lords and president of the Royal Society of Medicine.

Chris Williams, Operations Manager of ITWales said, “This is the eighth year that ITWales has held a celebration of International Women’s Day, and we’re delighted to bring together such a high calibre of speakers to inspire and encourage our audience this year. Women have always had an important role to play as part of the Welsh workforce, and in these difficult economic times it’s extremely important that we learn from the very best to underscore that, and show just what is possible. Wales is a small and clever country, and our speakers will reinforce that as they share their experiences.”

She continued, “This annual event celebrates the success and achievements of women who are currently helping put Wales firmly on the map as a great place for innovation and ambition. Our speakers this year are at the very top of their profession and have used technologies to support their ambitions. As in previous years, Women Shaping the Future in Wales 2009 will highlight the role of technology in 21st century Wales and demonstrate its relevance in business, academia and society in general.”

Women Shaping the Future of Wales is organised by ITWales and supported by Swansea Bay Partnership, Speakers Unlimited and The Village Hotel.

Places for the event can be booked at £25 per head or £250 for a table of ten by contacting ITWales on 01792 602702 or online at http://www.itwales.com/events

http://www.itwales.com/997276.htm