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THEME: FEMALE LEADERSHIP & GLOBAL IMPACT

The Theme of this year’s Summit is FEMALE LEADERSHIP & GLOBAL IMPACT, which will take place at the State-of-Art Liverpool Hope University, hosting female leaders and delegates from across the globe over two days.

Global Visionary Women Network and partners are hosting its 5th Global Women Leadership Summit on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th October 2023 at the State-of-Art Liverpool Hope University.

The Summit will bring together some of the world’s most influential and successful female leaders/executives, academics, entrepreneurs and aspiring female leaders to examine the global role and impact of Female Leadership and how transformational leadership and global co-operation can break down the barriers affecting 21st Century female leaders and foster inclusiveness and socio-economic and political growth and stability.

The focus will be on empowering women globally to overcome the potential barriers they encounter, and to contribute in strategic leadership roles towards the economic, social, and political development of their respective countries.

Our objective is to identify and foster optimal organisational cultures and ethics that develop and promote exceptional female leadership and collaboration at all levels of society.

It will provide a global platform for successful female leaders, pioneers/ visionaries and entrepreneurs from various walks of life and nations to connect in an exclusive 2 days summit and share their journeys, challenges, business/ organisational culture, leadership ethics, success strategies and good practices; with the aim of encouraging optimal organisational culture/ethics, teamwork, and excellence, required to bridge existing gender and culture gaps. Delegates will also explore the differing barriers facing women across the globe and be encouraged to learn from the experiences of others.

In the two days, there will be planetary sessions, keynotes and panel discussions by senior executives and global leaders who have made their mark in their country of origin; highlighting the barriers and prejudices they have overcome to achieve their status. Workshops and masterclasses within the conference will encourage delegates to think about their own circumstances and to develop the leadership potential within themselves and others to thrive in challenging times.

In addition, the summit will create global awareness of current cultural perceptions about female leadership and its impact on gender equality; and discuss/deliberate on best organisational culture change and inclusive strategies to bridge the gap and promote inter-cultural and transformational leadership.

Throughout the summit, you will have the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking conversations, attend inspiring keynote speeches, participate in interactive and innovative panel discussions, cutting-edge workshops and masterclasses, and build meaningful connections with fellow women leaders and male. We have carefully curated a diverse line-up of speakers and facilitators who will share their experiences, insights, and strategies to overcome barriers and excel in various leadership roles – and empower delegates to increase their sphere of influence and leadership.

Key topics that will be addressed include:

• Fostering an inclusive work environment that benefits from diversity

• Overcoming cultural and gender biases in leadership positions

• Unlocking The Transformational Leader in You

• Transformational Leadership: Leading & Thriving in Challenging Times

• The Role of Senior Academic Leaders/ the University in shaping the next generation of female leaders beyond university.

• The Power of Collaboration – Leveraging your connections and increasing your sphere of influence and business sustainability.

• Leveraging Technology – The Role of Technology in Facilitating Transformational Leadership, Cultural and Gender Diversity and Bridging cultural/gender inequality Gap

• Women in Leadership and Health: Investing in Women’s Health – Resources, Opportunities and Strategies

• Women in Leadership & Their Relationships – Strategies for establishing healthy and successful relationships

• Women in Leadership and Resilience – Overcoming Crises and leading in challenging Times

• Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Leaders and Innovators. The Importance of Female Role Models and Mentors

• The Art of Emotional Intelligence & Leadership: How Could Female Leaders Effectively Manage Relationship Conflicts and Crises and become more emotionally intelligent/ resilient and effective

• Enhancing Cross-Cultural Representation & Fostering Diversity in Leadership – Best Practices and Implementation 

• Access To Finance and Funds For Female Entrepreneurs – Opportunities & Strategies

• Investing in Women’s Financial Empowerment & Entrepreneurship – Resources, Techniques and Strategies

By attending this summit, you will not only gain valuable knowledge and skills, but also establish a network of support that will propel your own leadership journey forward.

There will be a drinks reception and Awards dinner and networking event in the evening of day two of the Summit during which we will be recognising and celebrating the remarkable achievements and work of some exceptional female leaders and pioneers. As a Headliner or Premier Sponsor, you will have the opportunity to nominate some of the awardees and present awards.

KEY BENEFITS OF TAKING PART:

• Meet & Learn from Female Industry Leaders, Pioneers and Authorities
• Uncover Your Unique Leadership Style and Traits
• Unleash The Transformational Leader in You
• Develop Transformational Leadership Skills & Qualities
• Create & Establish Global Partnerships and Networks
• Gain Ground-breaking Strategies To Lead & Thrive in Challenging Times and Invest in Your Health and Wellbeing
• Meet Key Decision Makers, Buyers and Mentors
• Develop Emotional Intelligence & Elevate Your Sphere of Influence
• Build A Global Brand & Connect With Potential Partners, Stakeholders, Commissioners and Clients
• Create Strategic Relationships
• Network with Thought Leaders /Like-Minded Visionaries

The Powerful Team of Global Visionaries and World-Class leaders who will be speaking at the summit will be updated as we confirm our global speakers.

MEET OUR MATRON, HOST, KEYNOTE SPEAKERS, PANELLISTS & MASTERCLASS/ WORKSHOP FACILITATORS

HRH Queen Naa Tsotsoo Soyoo I: Queen from The Ga State of Ghana & Matron of Global Visionary Women Network

Having won global recognition for her work, teachings, strategic leadership, business acumen and community engagement, Queen Naa has evolved her work into focusing on steering the next generation of Female Traditional and Conventional Leaders, building their capacity and introducing the concept of Strategic, dynamic, Diplomatic Leadership.

Queen Naa holds a degree in Law, Politics and International Studies, Diploma in Real Estate Management, Post-graduates in Real Estate and Project Management, Qualifications in Global Diplomacy, Citizenship & Rule of Law, Internal Displacement & Conflict Resolution and Human Rights in Open Societies.

Aside from her position as Matron of the Global Visionary Women Network, Queen Naa is the CEO of Fortune Global Business and Founder the Global Conference of Empowered Dynamic Women (GLOCED), Ten Talents Networks and The Soyoo Foundation. She sits on the panel of the UK’s Africa Diaspora Malaria Initiative (ADMI) and is the first female President of the National Council of Ghanaian Unions.

Queen Naa is mother to Princess Ewura-ama Dedei Adjorbo and Prince Nana Shikatse.

Dr. Sylvia Forchap-Likambi (HOST): Founder & Global Chair of Global Visionary Women Network

Dr. Sylvia Forchap-Likambi is a visionary, multi-award-winning leading empowerment and transformation authority, transformational Speaker/ Coach, and six-times international best-selling author; specialized in the delivery of very high quality/cutting-edge empowerment and revolutionary leadership and transformation programs. She Founder/Global Chair of The Global Visionary Women Network, Founder and CEO of “Behaviour Changed” Award Winning Community Interest Company, Voice of Nations; and Global CEO/Consultant of Dr Sylvia Likambi International/ Dr Sylvia Likambi International Health & Wellbeing Clinic.

Over the years, she has coached, empowered, inspired, and positively impacted/ transformed over 1.5 million lives globally, thousands of female entrepreneurs, and relentlessly empowered many to come out of addictions, depression, get into training, volunteering, employment/self-employment, leadership roles; and also offered them several of such opportunities through her organizations.

She brings a very unique and dynamic blend of inspiration, purpose, empowerment, and transformation in her mentoring, coaching, and engagements; that has the potential of transforming the most dormant/negative mindset into a highly productive/positive and dynamic mindset, capable of setting and achieving any life goal.

Dr Sylvia’s life is the greatest testament of her authority and leadership. She’s a power wife and power mum to three incredibly gifted and talented children who are some of the world’s & nation’s youngest authors of multiple books.
Dr Sylvia has featured on several national and international Radio and TV stations, to speak on the theme of female empowerment, entrepreneurship, leadership, and other topics; and been guest/ keynote speaker to several audiences, ranging from community groups to universities. For more information on Dr Sylvia Forchap-Likambi

Dr Penny Haughan: Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Liverpool Hope University

Dr Penny is Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Liverpool Hope University and has strategic responsibility for the whole Student Experience. Her portfolio covers Schools Outreach through to Graduation and beyond. She also has responsibility for corporate communications and marketing, student records, learning resources and Learning and Teaching.

Penny also works closely with the Academic Schools and has overall responsibility for Quality Assurance & Enhancement, including meeting conditions of registration related to academic quality and performance. She is responsible for oversight of the University’s interactions with external bodies such as the OfS and compliance with their requirements. She is also Chair of the Senate Academic Committee.

The term ‘Provost’ which is added to the DVC title reflects her responsibility for the University’s International strategy and that she regularly represents the VC in interactions with International partners. 

Penny is passionate about supporting Women at the University and is currently championing a University wide initiative to encourage their progression into leadership posts. 

Penny has two daughters, she has worked full time throughout her career and has considerable experience of juggling academic life with motherhood. She is proud of the fact that both of her daughters have graduated! She is also Chair of Governors at a local primary school and has just accepted a Governors post at a University in London.

Sam White:  Founder and CEO of Stella Insurance; Founder and Chair of Freedom Services Group

Sam White is the founder and CEO of Stella Insurance, a female-centric motor insurance business that’s unapologetically led by women and designed for women, and the founder and Chair of Freedom Services. 

Having started her first company in 1999 aged just 24 in her sister’s conservatory, 20 years later she employs over 190 staff with offices in Cheadle, Cheshire, and Sydney, Australia with a turnover of over £20million. 

Her company Action 365 was ranked by JP Morgan as one of the top 200 female powered businesses in the UK in 2021 and Sam herself is a multi-award winning business leader having been named as Disruptor of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards for her human-led leadership approach.

Sam cares passionately about diversity, equality, innovation and above all, making business human. Motivated by a desire to change the insurance industry for the better, Sam is a vocal advocate for levelling the playing field for women and championing female leaders within the industry. Sam has built the fundamentals of financial feminism into Stella Insurance, a brand designed by and for women and non-binary people. She puts women at the heart of her business and actively support causes close to the heart of the Stella team, e.g., Stella will be donating £5 of every policy to Fly Anyway Foundation which supports women who have experienced domestic abuse and helps them build financial independence.

Sam has been featured on the FT, The New Statesman , Manchester Evening News, My London and the Times. She hosts her own podcast “Human Business with Sam White” and has also regularly been on BBC’s Wake Up To Money and Sky Business Live with Ian King to discuss the business affairs of the day.

Dr Ruth Hussey CB OBE DL (High Sheriff of Merseyside)

Dr Ruth Hussey CB OBE DL,  is the current High Sheriff of Merseyside, whose term of office began in April 2023 and lasts for one year. Dr Hussey became a Deputy Lieutenant in 2020.

The Office of High Sheriff is an independent, non-political Royal appointment for a single year. The origins of the Office date back to Saxon times, when the ‘Shire Reeve’ was responsible to the King for the maintenance of law and order within the Shire, or County and for the collection and return of taxes due to the Crown. Today, there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the Counties of England and Wales each year. (see High Sheriff’s Association web pages for further information).

Dr Ruth Hussey retired as Chief Medical Officer for Wales in 2016.  In that time, she supported policy on:

• public health
• quality and safety
• primary care
• research and development
• health strategy with a focus on prudent health care

Born and brought up in north Wales, her career developed in England, initially training as a GP.  She worked in academia, as Director of Public Health in Liverpool and then in strategic posts in north west England for the NHS and Department of Health.  Prior to joining the Welsh Government, she was part of the Public Health Transition Team in the Department of Health, Whitehall.

Dr Hussey  Chaired a Parliamentary Review of Health and Social Care in Wales and was a Commissioner on the Lancet/LSE Commission on ‘The Future of the NHS.’

She has been FSA Deputy Chair since 1 July 2020 and was appointed as Interim Chair from 1 February to 30 June 2021.  She is also Chair of the NIHR, School of Public Health Research Advisory Board.  Ruth is a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health and honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.  She is an Honorary Professor at the University of Liverpool and has awards from other Universities in England and Wales.  She became a Governor of the Health Foundation in Feb 2018 and is a member of the Wales Centre for Public Policy Advisory Group. Dr Hussey  is Chair of the Advisory Board for the Care Inspectorate for Wales and a Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside.

An interest in tackling health inequalities and involving communities in their health and well-being has underpinned her work.

Dr Lady Waynett Peters : Founder of The Extraordinary Achievers Network

Dr Lady Waynett is a positive lifestyle coach, a confidence mentor, an empowerment speaker, a Humanitarian Ambassador; and a Holder of Over 35 International Awards for her humanitarian, philanthropy and Worldwide empowerment contributions, titled with 2 Chieftaincy titles for her overseas philanthropic duties. Lady Waynett was also awarded The Degree of Honorary Doctorate in Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues.

Dr Lady Waynett Peters is the :

• Founder of The Extraordinary Achievers Network (TEA))

• Founder of Reclaiming Our Children Back from the Streets (ROC)

• Founder of Loving Our Valued Elders (LOVE)

• Founder of The Extraordinary Achievers Charity Awards

Latoya Likambi: Founder and CEO of Teyes Eye, Co-founder/ mentor at Likambi Global Publishing.

Latoya is the founder and CEO of Teyes Eye Skincare & Cosmetics and Co-founder/ mentor at Likambi Global Publishing.

“I aspire to inspire and encourage more children to unleash their creative genius, and uncover their unique writing and entrepreneurial gifts and skills and thrive to greater heights and platforms.” –  Latoya Likambi. 
 
Latoya Likambi is a16-year-old 3X International best-selling author, an entrepreneur, and a positive role model for children globally. A highly confident, eloquent, and inspiring young speaker and influencer, with a passion to inspire young people to unleash their creative genius and fulfill their maximum potential.
 
She is very creative, strong-minded, and a visionary young girl who believes that she and every child is a unique creation of God, with unique and exceptional/ creative abilities and potential to add value to the world.
 
She wrote her first book at the tender age of 7 – which was published when she turned 10 and has read over 500 books to date.
 
She was the winner of the Young Entrepreneur Mind Award (YEMA) 2022, The Young Visionary Award 2022, and The Extraordinary Achievers “Exceptional Young Achievers Award” 2023, has featured on diverse national and international Radio and Television programs/stations to talk about her books and passions and has been a guest speaker at various schools, community groups, business events/ conferences, and in The House of Commons.

Sheriel Collado,Co-founder & MD, ACS Health solutions Limited

Sheriel is a mum of two, with a bachelor degree in Science in Nursing. She and her husband then joined Saladmaster 2010 which completely changed their lives and lifestyle – enabling them to gain financial freedom and build a powerful team of global champions who are also thriving in their businesses

Their mission is to inspire people to eat better, live better, and achieve the life they desire. Following a few years of hard work, consistency, and determination, they took their business from an Authorised Dealer status to hitting the Top 10% Saladmaster Global-Master Dealer, developing a global team of business owners in Leeds, Ireland Dublin and Belfast, Nigeria, Qatar, and Germany.

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Anna Grace Du Noyer, Founder & CEO Fierce PR and Fierce Futures CIC

Anna is the visionary entrepreneur behind Fierce PR and Fierce Futures CIC, alongside careers as a musician, public speaker, mentor and stylist. By boldly challenging the status quo she has built a remarkable portfolio of brands that are bolstered by her rebellious, nonconformist approach, passions and purpose. She is the author of the new provocative PR handbook, “Screw the Status Quo”.

Anna will guide participants in developing a progressive leadership strategy built on fearless self-expression – championing compassion, and levelling the playing field to reveal untapped potential in your teams.

Discover innovative methods for fostering a thriving, inclusive, and avant-garde workplace culture that celebrates individuality, promotes compassion, and encourages everyone to contribute meaningfully.

Dr Imose Itua , Assistant Professor at the University of Bradford

Dr Imose Itua is an Assistant Professor at the University of Bradford, the programme lead for the BSc Public Health and Community Wellbeing programme, a PhD/Phil/MPhil Examiner and an independent chair for PhD Viva. She is a fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health UK and a Senior Fellow of the Advanced Higher Education Academy. Dr Itua has extensive teaching, leadership, mentoring and research experience and sits on the review panel for new programmes and the ethics committee. She is the lead family planning teacher for the Natural Family Planning Teachers Association and a member of the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

Prior to joining the University of Bradford, she was the programme lead for two postgraduate programmes at Arden University; Master of Public Health and MSc Global Health Management. Within that role, she developed two Master’s programmes from conception to implementation of the programmes, and she led the University to validation and accreditation by Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation and Chartered Management Institute, UK, respectively. Dr Itua is an external examiner at the University of Bedfordshire and an assessor for the UKPHR. Her research interests and expertise are in reproductive health and health of ethnic minority women. She is well published in area of reproductive health.

Claire Morton , Co – Founder & Consultant of Space and Freedom

Claire Morton is one of the UK’s most sought-after transformational leadership and well-being consultants as well as a number one best selling author.

A multiple award winner with over 20 years of consulting experience in the private and public sector, Claire is an expert in meditation, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, yoga and wellbeing care as well as being a fully qualified yoga teacher, alongside her work as a Master NLP practitioner and leadership development specialist.

Space and Freedom® for Claire is spending time with her 3 amazing children, husband, family and friends. Not forgetting her two best friends; her huskies, Nukka & Levi. As a true Generator (Human Design), Claire is always busy living life to the max and sharing her joy and positivity wherever she goes.

Jules Kelly Co – Founder & Consultant of Space and Freedom

Jules Kelly is Your Human Compass®. She is an experienced holistic leadership, performance, growth and success consultant. She has over 30 years experience within the Corporate World and has also experienced burnout, to the point of becoming classified as disabled.

Having healed herself from chronic illness, Jules is now sharing her own journey via The Life Freedom Method® along with Claire, to help others to understand that their body and mind is their home and it is theirs to look after and nurture, and that success can be achieved whilst also living a healthy and balanced life.

She has a number of incredible superpowers which include being one of the first Belief Coding® facilitators in the World and a Human Design Specialist coupled with many more fundamental modalities and skills to support people truly holistically.

Claire McColgan CBE, Director of Culture Liverpool

Claire is the Director of Culture Liverpool, responsible for Legacy, Major Events, Liverpool Film Office, Cruise Liverpool, Tourism, City Halls and Cultural Policy since 2009.

Claire has just delivered an unparalleled Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine using all her exceptional diplomatic and creative skills to deliver something extraordinary for the UK.

Claire developed and produced the successful participation programme (Creative Communities) that was instrumental in Liverpool winning European Capital of Culture bid. In 2006 she was appointed Executive Producer of European Capital of Culture with responsibility for major events, public participation and community engagement. She received the MBE for services to the arts in 2009.

Claire has led the legacy program in Liverpool over the last 10 years supporting and funding 35 cultural organisations, bringing new commercial events to the city and designing and producing a creative program for Liverpool that shapes it as a destination and a place to live. She sits on the City Regions Cultural Partnership and the Visitor Economy Board and is a Town Centre commissioner for the City Region. Claire is a recipient of many awards the most recent being Eventex Best Events Team in the UK and 15th in the World.

Claire is a national and international advisor and speaker on best practice in Culture acting for Arts Council England and Ireland, the British Council, Local Government Association and represented the UK in Thailand, Brazil and China. Claire was a Director on the Board of Derry/Londonderry the inaugural City of Culture program and is the European Board Director for Galway European Capital of Culture 2020. She was chosen by Karen Bradley, Secretary of State as the UK expert for the 2022 European Capital of Culture competition.

Claire has been Liverpool’s lead on the Government Events Research Programme and has recently been appointed Deputy Chair for UK City of Culture Competition 2025

Dr Anikphe Oyedeji, Consultant Physician

Dr. Anikphe qualified as a medical doctor in 1994 and is trained as a general physician and transplant nephrologist. Over the years, she has practised in Nigeria, Ghana, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom. She is currently involved in missionary work in northwest England. Dr Anikphe is also the author of the timeless book, Visionary Woman – Moved By Purpose, Not By Sight. She was the winner of the Visionary Woman Award 2023 and a positive role model and inspiration to women across the globe who aspire to experience a fulfilling career and balanced/ purposeful life.
 
Dr Anikphe Oyedeji currently lives in northwest England and works in North Wales as a Consultant Physician at the NHS. She has been married for 20 years to Dr Ade, an Ordained Minister of the Gospel of Christ. Together for 12 years, they have planted a local church in Ellesmere Port and ran the New Creation Centre, a community outreach project. She is a mother of four amazing children whom God has given her the privilege to develop as His gifts to the world.

For the past 12 years, she has also co-owned a franchise care-at-home business. Life has been full to the brim for Dr Anikphe. It’s been a tough act, juggling so many balls and trying not to drop any. Anikphe readily admits that it is a balancing act living out these various roles as co-labourer of Christ, career woman, mother, home-builder, and business owner while holding on to one of her main aims in life, which is to do all things with excellence and to the glory of God.

Professor Timothy Nichol: Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Business and Law, Liverpool John Moores University – Silver Sponsor of the Global Women Leadership Summit is set to address the most diverse leadership summit of the year!

Professor Nichol joined Liverpool John Moores University in 2015, first as Dean of the Liverpool Business School and he is currently the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the newly created Faculty of Business and Law. His research interests are in the area of corporate governance, family company governance and power maintenance in multi-generation business families and family businesses.

Professor Nichol has a degree in Jurisprudence from Oxford University and a PhD from the University of York. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has held or holds fellowship status with the Royal Society of Arts, the Chartered Institute of Taxation and the Chartered Management Institute. After qualifying with Coopers and Lybrand as an accountant, Professor Nichol joined the Newcastle Business School in 1992 and held senior positions as Associate Dean Undergraduate, Associate Dean Teaching and Learning and Director of Northumbria University’s London Campus. In 1997 he was seconded temporarily to the UK Government’s Know How Fund and worked as a Resident Advisor at the Ukrainian central bank as part of a multi-agency team, advising on the implementation of banking and reform measures.

Professor Nichol holds a number of external academic and professional appointments including editorial and review responsibilities, non-executive and other board directorships and Trustee positions.

Grace Mbekem: Founder and Executive Director, Health and Medical Foundation ( H-MFoundation)

Ms. Grace holds BSc, MPH, and is Founder and Executive Director of H-MFoundation

A Public Health Specialist with expertise and strengths in Project Design and management, Health Systems strengthening, Capacity building, Social Science research, organizational development and Leadership. A member of the TPHA. Grace’s professional experience is gained from over 30 years of Leadership and management of Health Facility and Community Based programs in Cameroon and Tanzania, funded by GTZ, DFID and USG .

In Tanzania, she started her career as a free lance consultant conducting qualitative baseline surveys on Maternal Health and Adolescent sexuality; specifically looking into perceptions of quality maternal and child care in Health Facility staff and users in communities and KAPB on sexuality in Adolescents 9-12years.

Angela Preston, Founder & CEO,  Angela Preston Coaching

Angela is an award winning speaker and has built her coaching, speaking and writing business from scratch, earning her the respect and admiration of others on how she has not only overcome adversity but used it as a stepping stone to achieve her goals.

Angela Preston is an international best selling author, motivational and keynote speaker, and business coach, and is the founder of Angela Preston Coaching, which aims to coach business owners and entrepreneurs in setting and accomplishing their goals. She is also a radio host and as recent as last year staged her debut play; A Time To Leave.

Angela’s life experiences of 20 years in business as a top performing leader before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey are what she uses to help business leaders and individuals alike to create that winning mindset in order to make the changes to both their businesses and personal lives.

Professor Ella Pereira, Professor of Computer Science, Director of Research, Department of Computer Science , Edge Hill University

As a distinguished female Computer Science academic, Prof Ella Pereira is deeply committed to advancing gender diversity in the predominantly male-dominated technology sector. In today’s dynamic landscape, there exist exceptional opportunities for women to embark on fulfilling, high-paying careers within the technology industry, offering a much-needed infusion of diversity and innovation to this vast field.

Ella has played a pivotal role in national initiatives (e.g. Skills Bootcamps) aimed at fostering computer science and technology education among underrepresented communities in Computer Science STEM related industries (notably, females and people from BAME communities). Her personal passion for mathematics and other STEM disciplines has propelled her to attain an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, a master’s degree in Computer Systems, and a doctorate in Distributed Systems.

With a wealth of industry experience as a software developer, Ella transitioned back to academia, where she has garnered recognition through her academic publications, earning accolades such as best paper awards and recognition for her research leadership. She is notably engaged in organising and chairing various international conferences and workshops, as well as serving as an editor for academic journals and contributing to the editing of books and conference proceedings.

In addition to her illustrious academic career, Ella balances a fulfilling family life with her husband and two teenage sons. In her role as a professor, she takes a lead in organising and developing the research profile within her academic department at Edge Hill University.  

Ella’s exceptional leadership and drive has resulted in her department securing the prestigious Athena Swan Bronze award, a testament to their dedication to fostering gender equality within academic institutions. Ella plays a significant role in the institution’s commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).

Ella takes immense pride in her contribution to the development and execution of the award-winning “TechUP Women” program, which has successfully attracted, retrained, and retained 100 women from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for roles in technology and higher education.

Furthermore, Ella continues to play an indispensable role in upskilling and retraining individuals for careers in technology through her involvement in the Department for Education funded Skills Bootcamps and other national initiatives. Her unwavering commitment to bridging gender disparities in the technology sector is a testament to her dedication to fostering a more inclusive and diverse tech landscape.Top of Form.

Garth O. Dallas MBA, LLM, FRSA

Senior Lawyer, Business Consultant, Global Diversity and Inclusion Expert, and Health Service Non-Executive Director.

Garth Dallas has helped many businesses grow sustainably by maximising the potential of their people and connections. He specialises in helping businesses develop strategies that focus on making a positive impact on people, places, and the planet, across multiple industries.

In a consulting role, he was the Head of Collaborations for The Good Business Festival and the Good Small Business Champion for the Liverpool City Region’s Growth Platform, Good Small Business Programme from January 2020 to March 2022.

Since November 2021 he has been a Non-Executive Director at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. He is the Chairperson of the Liverpool Commonwealth Association, a Trustee at The Belong Cohesion and Integration Network; and Luma Creations.

He serves as an Advisory Member on two strategic Boards, the University of Liverpool’s Centre for Sustainable Business and The African Business Chamber.

In addition to his professional work, he has also offered his time and expertise on several Liverpool Boards and Committees, including Liverpool Commonwealth Games 2022 Bid Board, Liverpool Special Olympics Games 2021 Bid Board and Netball World Cup 2019 (Liverpool) Legacy Board.

Additionally, in his role as a long-standing member of Liverpool City Council’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Select Committee between 2017 and 2023, he has maintained strong connections and provided exemplary support to the development of Liverpool’s strategic policy across various portfolios, particularly in relation to diversity, social inclusion and community engagement best practices.

Since 2015, he has served as an Ambassador for Liverpool Central Libraries, with responsibility for promoting this famous library nationally and internationally. I am also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).

He is currently completing a PhD in Business Management at Liverpool Business School, Faculty of Business and Law, Liverpool John Moores University.

Dr. Matina Hakim, Biomedical scientist at UCLAN

Dr. Matina Hakim is a biomedical scientist with special interests and a background in Maternal and Fetal Health Research and teaches Medical Biology with Cambridge Education Group at UCLAN.

She currently serves as the Regional President for Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association in the North West as well as the National Vice President for Pan-African Ahmadiyya Women’s Auxiliary Association UK.