Newcastle College's Deputy Principal joined over 100 women from across the North East’s business community to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) this week.
The North East Chamber of Commerce’s Inspiring Women in Business event highlighted the achievements of women and the steps needed to drive gender equality forward, and featured inspiring talks from leading businesswomen including Lisa herself. It reinforced the importance of leadership, mentorship, and workplace inclusivity. This year’s IWD theme, Accelerate Action, was at the heart of discussions, urging businesses to take tangible steps towards gender equity.
Lisa Hamilton-Murray was one of the keynote speakers at the event, and shared her career journey from beauty therapy to education leadership, reinforcing the value of mentorship, resilience, and career progression. She reflected on pivotal moments that shaped her career, including the importance of stepping out of her comfort zone and embracing opportunities that challenged her skills.
Lisa spoke about Newcastle College’s approach to leadership and empowerment, highlighting the importance of creating supportive environments for staff wellbeing and championing diversity in leadership positions. She encouraged attendees to seek mentorship, advocate for better workplace policies, and take an active role in shaping a more inclusive business landscape.
She said, “Mentorship has played a huge role in my career. I have been fortunate to have inspiring mentors who guided me through challenges and encouraged me to take opportunities I may not have considered. We all can lift each other, to be role models and to inspire the next generation of female leaders by sharing our experiences and supporting one another.”
The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women through its Women’s Leadership Forum, which provides a platform to drive forward initiatives that promote workplace equality. Attendees were encouraged to utilise the Gender Pay Gap Toolkit and Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Commission report, which were highlighted as key resources to help businesses take proactive steps in fostering inclusivity. The British Chambers of Commerce Equity Commission Report was also discussed, offering insights into improving representation and career progression for women in the workplace.
Kay Carrick, development team manager at St Cuthbert’s Hospice and a chair of the Chamber’s Women's Leadership, said, “We all have a role to play in accelerating action for gender equality. This event is about recognising the incredible work being done by women in our region while also challenging ourselves to do more to create a truly inclusive workplace culture.
“We’ve made great progress, but there is still work to do. By working together, challenging barriers, and recognising the contributions of women in business, we can drive real and lasting change.”
Also among the keynote speakers was Rhiannon Hiles, CEO of Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, who reflected on the history of the suffrage movement and shared personal insights from her own journey, including growing up in rural County Durham and being inspired by her politically active mother. She spoke passionately about the importance of representation in leadership, her experiences volunteering at Beamish early in her career, and her deep commitment to preserving and sharing women’s stories.
Rhiannon also highlighted the contributions of local suffragettes and other influential women from the North East, urging attendees to champion their achievements and ensure their legacies are not forgotten. She emphasised how women’s voices have often been left out of mainstream history and how Beamish Museum is actively working to correct this imbalance by ensuring that women’s contributions are given the recognition they deserve. She encouraged attendees to continue advocating for more female representation in leadership roles and to support initiatives that elevate the stories of women throughout history.
She said, “Women have been at the heart of our region’s history for centuries, yet their stories are often overlooked. It’s vital that we continue to champion the incredible contributions of women past and present and ensure their voices are heard. By recognising and sharing these stories, we inspire future generations to step forward, challenge barriers, and continue the progress towards true equality.”
The Inspiring Women in Business event was held at The Grand Hotel Gosforth Park on 6 March.