Banbury businesswomen recognised as an ‘inspiration’ ahead of International Women’s Day

Banbury businesswomen Lisa-Marie Mallier, a freelance marketing consultant and prolific networker across Oxfordshire is one of 100 women to have been recognised as an ‘inspiration’ ahead of International Women’s Day and to feature in a 2021 e-book.

This International Women’s Day NatWest, in partnership with Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP), South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, is spotlighting 100 women from across the Oxford-Cambridge Arc who have worked tirelessly in their local communities or shown resilience in leading their business through a period of rapid change.

Lisa-Marie, owner of No Fluff Communications, said: “I am truly humbled. The last 12 months has been tough, it has been a time for both personal and professional resilience.

"I hope to inspire entrepreneurs and working parents that it is possible to do your own thing and work flexibly around the family. I look forward to celebrating and meeting all the inspirational women who have been nominated.”

As well as hosting a live event on Monday March 8 inviting inspiring women from across the region to share their experiences in a joint conversation, NatWest and SEMLEP will be launching their #ChooseToChallenge e-book celebrating all 100 nominated women from the Oxford-Cambridge Arc.

Richard Byard, director of Business Development at OxLEP, said: “As the local enterprise partnership for Oxfordshire, it’s important for us to inspire women of all ages to understand the opportunities that exist in business.

"Whether it be giving women the confidence to start their own business, discover what apprenticeships can bring, or realise the world-leading sectors and organisations that all call Oxfordshire home.”

The NatWest and SEMLEP #ChooseToChallenge e-book celebrating all 100 nominated women, will be published on March 8th and available to view on the NatWest Business Hub.

The International Women’s Day 2021 campaign theme is Choose to Challenge.

Those wanting to get involved are being encourage to strike a pose and share their images on social media using the campaign hashtags #ChooseToChallenge and #IWD2021 to encourage further people to commit to helping forge an inclusive world.