Female entrepreneurs join forces to help other women smash glass ceiling

A new global powerhouse to help women break the glass ceiling is being created this week.

AllBright, the world’s largest network for professional women, has bought learning and development organisation Everywoman for an undisclosed sum.

The newly-formed group wants to speed up progress on the gender gap, which at the current rate will take more than 130 years to close, according to the World Economic Forum.

AllBright was founded in 2018 by entrepreneur Debbie Wosskow and Anna Jones, the former chief executive of Hearst Magazines. It is now run by Viviane Paxinos and provides training, events and networking opportunities. Clients include British Airways, HSBC and Samsung.

‘Our vision is to create a global powerhouse that enhances women’s lives,’ Paxinos said. ‘Together we will double down on our shared mission to create a world where every woman can thrive and reach her full potential.’

Despite making strides in recent years, women are still under-represented at the top of British business, with only ten female chief executives of FTSE 100 companies. Female-led firms still struggle to win backing from venture capitalists.

Everywoman was set up by Karen Gill and Maxine Benson twenty-five years ago and works with 70 corporate clients, including Amazon, Bupa, Lloyds Bank and Google, to develop female talent. It also runs the annual Entrepreneur Awards to celebrate women who have founded successful businesses.

Karen Gill said: ‘There has been a lot of progress since we started back in the days of dial-up modems. When we started people would struggle to name a female entrepreneur.

‘Our biggest achievement has been creating role models for women in business. But we don’t feel the job is done. Women still face challenges in culture and behaviour.’

The duo will remain as advisers and investors in the new business. Everywoman chair Rosaleen Blair, who founded recruitment company AMS, will also be a shareholder as will private equity firm Cain International.

Following the deal, AllBright will focus on learning and development, boosting benefits for members and building partnerships including with brands seeking to create deeper connections with women.

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