Big-balled businesswomen
Thousands of female tech and business professionals convened at Karren Brady ’ s Women in Business & Tech Expo for two days of networking , insight sharing , and empowerment . Emily Wallin went along to find out more .
Thousands of female tech and business professionals were inspired and empowered at the Karren Brady Women in Business & Tech Expo .
Headline speaker Brady CBE open the show at ExCeL London , on 12 October to an over-flowing theatre , followed by Sara Davies MBE on the second day .
In a rousing keynote , Baroness Brady said : “ Coming to events like this is a real chance to further your career , fuel your ambitions and meet new people .”
Brady described becoming the first ever topflight female football manager at the age of just 23 .
She said her chairman at the time warned her : “ You will have to be twice as good to only be considered half .”
She added that at her first meeting women were barred from the board room .
“ That was the first door I smashed down ,” she said .
She went on to describe giving a press conference to a room full of men where the only question she was asked was about her ‘ vital statistics ’ but she held her nerve .
She said : “ Aferwards one of the journalists said to me ‘ you haven ’ t got a dick , but you have got big balls .’
“ That ’ s what it ’ s about ladies , having big balls .”
Proffering advice to the room , she continued : “ In the 90s there was a real pressure on women to act like men , and be one of the lads . I really rejected that idea . It ’ s really important to be yourself .
“ And help other women . There ’ s a small place in hell for women who won ’ t help other women . Stand up for yourself and stand up for other women .”
Recognising the difficulties faced by many , Brady said : “ The biggest barrier for women in their careers is high quality , affordable childcare .”
Brady – who famously took just three days of maternity leave after her second childurged working mothers to do what ’ s right for them , but not to see having a family as a barrier to their professional lives .
“ I employ lots of women , many have families , and they are the most dedicated hard working people in my organisation . Partly because they have to be . They are brilliant multi-taskers .”
She remains committed to leveling the playing field , but warned it was not easy .
“ For every £ 1 a man makes a women still makes only 84p and it ’ s going to take 100 years to close that gap ,” she said .
“ You need to be thick skinned and assertive . You ’ ve got a back bone . Find it and
Baroness Karren Brady and standing room only at her keynote
“ That ’ s what it ’ s about ladies , having big balls .”
use it .”
Following the event Christie Day , group event director of organiser Hub Exhibitions , said : “ Providing women with a welcoming and empowering opportunity to further their career is essential to the success of businesses across the country .
“ It has been incredible to see so many driven and curious professionals network and generate new skills and assets to support their future careers over the last two days .”
December — 23