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º£½ÇÖ±²¥ contingent to help inspire women in business

A º£½ÇÖ±²¥ student is to speak at a prestigious conference aimed at inspiring and connecting North East women in business.

Natalie Woods, the student director of DigitalCity, will take part in a panel discussion at the North East England Chamber of Commerce Inspiring Females Conference later this month. Also taking part in the conference are º£½ÇÖ±²¥ alumni Angela Davies and Dionne Wightman who will be presenting a case study on their business CSI Training and Events Ltd.

DigitalCity, which is based at º£½ÇÖ±²¥, is acknowledged as a major catalyst for economic regeneration in the Tees Valley.

Natalie, a BA (Hons) Business Management student, leads DigitalCity’s student board, which is spearheading an initiative to increase the number of women studying and working in digital in the Tees Valley.

She is also the recipient of a Peter Atherton Opportunity Award, which gives º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Business School students £2,500 to help fund a sandwich year placement.

The Inspiring Females conference, on 29 June at Sage UK, Newcastle, will feature speakers and panellists from business and public life in the North East, highlighting the success stories of women in business in the region, and tackling the issues that will help to ensure the role of women in the business community continues to grow.

Natalie will be taking part in a panel discussion entitled ‘Our Next Generation - Young Entrepreneurs and Student Leaders’.

She said: 'I feel it is vital to encourage more women to take a leading role in business, particularly in those industries which have traditionally been perceived as being male dominated.

'The tech sector, for example, is an incredibly exciting area in which to work, with some really creative and innovative companies.

'I’m passionate about proving to women, particularly younger women, that there is a place for them within these industries, so I’m delighted to be able to get the opportunity to talk about this at the Inspiring Females conference.'

Also, speaking at the event will be Angela and Dionne who both studied BSc (Hons) Crime Scene Science at º£½ÇÖ±²¥. The pair then went on to work for Northumbria Police as Crime Scene Investigators before founding CSI Training and Events in 2012.

The company which utilises Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) techniques for training and education purposes is multifaceted and has three core areas of consultancy, education and events. It is based at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Launchpad, º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s business incubator at its Middlesbrough campus.

The pair said: 'We are honoured to have been asked to speak at such a prestigious event, and are looking forward to it immensely.'

Professor Jane Turner OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement), said: 'This is one of the key events in the the Chamber's calendar and attended by some of the most influential people in North East business, so it’s fantastic to see such a strong º£½ÇÖ±²¥ contingent taking part in the conference.

'Natalie, Angela and Dionne are all excellent ambassadors for the University and I am sure that the conference will be fascinated by what they have to say.'

• business
• DigitalCity