For International Women's Day, we asked some prominent Notts-based women who we've had the pleasure of working with at the CQ, to nominate their 'ones to watch': colleagues or peers who have impressed or inspired them. Click through this album to read more about the great women doing great things for our city.
Photographer Tracey Whitefoot is well known in Nottingham for her incredible photos of the city, particuarly her sunrises. For International Women's Day, she's nominated photographer Emma Wright and artist Rowan Hall as ones to watch!
"When I first read the email asking me to nominate creative women as ‘Ones to Watch’, two people sprang to mind immediately. It was only when I read the email properly that I realised I could only nominate one. Well I couldn’t choose between these two women, so I begged to be allowed two choices and am very grateful that the answer was yes!
Rowan is a young artist that has just started selling prints of her amazing drawings and paintings, and I just love her work! Especially the animal images, as I know how much Rowan loves animals, and that love really shines through in her work. Rowan is early on in her career as an artist, and I’d love for more people out there to see her work.
Emma is a fellow photographer, and everything she captures is on her phone. As well as following her work online, I’m lucky enough to call Emma a friend and have been out with her taking pictures. I’m always blown away by the way she sees the world, capturing compositions that I wouldn’t even see. and I always feel like I’ve had a fresh dose of creativity injected into me whenever we’ve been together!"
Gayle Bennett is the owner of Soul and Flare and an instrumental part of the Sneinton Market Avenues family. For International Women's Day, she has nominated Avarni Kaur of Wigflex and FlyGirl.
"I was fortunate to meet Avarni little over a year we ago and when we met it was an instant connection and we shared a mutual work ethic. We want to make waves within the creative industries of Nottingham, and we are both just doing that. Avarni’s mission is to empower every single woman & non-binary person she meets, and the brand she has created, FlyGirl is a platform that helps hype, educate & support all females, especially prioritising those of colour. She is a force of nature and is only going to do more big things in the city."
Susan Hallam is the founder of Hallam Internet, Chair of the Creative Quarter and Deputy Chair of the Nottingham Castle Trust Board. She nominates Nottingham Castle's Customer Service Manager Rosie Williamson.
"Rosie brings her fashion and heritage experience to her role as Customer Services Manager at Nottingham Castle. I am hugely impressed by her commitment to supporting Nottingham's small local businesses, and her sharp focus on environmentally friendly products. Rosie's expertise, passon, resilience and above all good humour makes her one to watch!"
Becky Valentine and Victoria Green run the Lace Market property development company Spenbeck, pouring their love and dedication for the city's historic buildings into their work. They have nominated Hannah Taylor, Senior Account Manager at The Dairy Creative Agency.
"In a short time Hannah has made a real impact on her industry. She combines her wide-ranging marketing skills with exceptional account management, optimising companies’ brands in an authentic and enjoyable way. She is a force to reckon with and shows all the hallmarks of an industry leader. Watch this space!"
Stephanie Sirr, Chief Executive of Nottingham Playhouse has nominated two members of the Playhouse Participation team, Natalia Bruce and Sarah West Valstar.
"I would like to nominate all the brilliant women at Nottingham Playhouse who never fail to inspire me. However, at this moment in history I am going to pick out just two. During the pandemic our participation team kept going – live in person, via Zoom events, via emails and phone calls to people at risk of isolation, and through supporting Play Packs. Despite having their own family and personal responsibilities (hello home schooling!) to juggle, Natalia Bruce and Sarah West Valstar kept the needs of our many communities at heart. We were so appreciative of their hard work and the importance they placed on keeping that work flowing throughout the pandemic and beyond. We know we were able to provide a real life-line to people during lockdown and beyond. We are now, as Covid recedes but its impact is still felt, seeing the healing powers of participation and Natalia and Sarah continue to provide that essential outlet for the people of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire."
In the business support community in the East Midlands, Ashreen Seethal in known for her commitment to supporting and guiding small businesses as they grow, in her role as Innovation and Growth Specialist at Innovate UK. For International Women's Day, she's nominated Jess Barnett and Lauren Nally.
“As Brand Director of TTK Confectionary, Jess has used her creative vision to scale the business in the UK and internationally. She has executed this with precision whilst truly embedding responsible and sustainable leadership. The company is an exemplar in how businesses can contribute to improving the wellbeing of its staff, providing opportunities for disadvantaged communities, and ensuring environmentally sustainable practices. As a leader, Jess employs open innovation and is prominent in our local business support ecosystem. She is a role model and mentor for other ambitious women who are eager to succeed with kindness, compassion, and creativity.
"Lauren is a courageous leader who leans into her intuition and is guided by her values. She has a passion for food and for business which has led to the success of her award-winning No.Twelve restaurant and FAUX Butchers and Delicatessen. With environmental sustainability at the heart, Lauren has provoked thinking about the impact of our diets on the planet, offering an innovative alternative option through her vegan restaurant and deli. She is an ambitious, authentic leader who is one to watch as her career continues to flourish on the UK food scene.”
Tamily Cookson is the CEO of the Creative Quarter, and has been in post since March 2021. For International Women's Day, Tamily has nominated her colleague Hannah Newton, Finance and Operations Manager,
"I’ve had the pleasure working with Hannah for more than three years. Over that time I have seen her take on more responsibility and blossom into an amazing work colleague and friend. As a creative herself with a First Class Degree in Fine Art from Norwich University of the Arts, Hannah is always keen to support and advocate for the Creative and Digital sector. In the last two years she has joined the Planning Committee for Festival of Science and Curiosities, and more recently become a Trustee for Young Creatives Nottingham. Dedicated, passionate, trustworthy and tenacious are just a few words I could use to describe Hannah. I see amazing things for her over the coming years but for now, I am proud that she is an integral part of the Creative Quarter team."
