INTRODUCING
THE DYNAMIC FESTIVAL 2024
WOMEN IN POWER
Italian Prime Minister
Giorgia Meloni
Menopause
Awareness
Month
MOTORING
The Goodwood Revival TRAVEL
Swish Amsterdam
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
A FESTIVAL OF BUSINESS EXCLUSIVELY FOR WOMEN APRIL 29TH 2024 THE GRAND BRIGHTON
Following on from the phenomenal success of the all-female Dynamic Awards, we have decided to go one step further and launch a full-day Dynamic Festival of Business, exclusively for women.
It is 2023, yet we still have gender inequality, wage discrepancy, gender-based bias, unequal opportunities and, due to the extra domestic responsibilities still shouldered by women, female business leaders have a far higher burn-out rate than men. It has to change.
In our effort to level the playing field, Dynamic Magazine will be presenting a full day of Education, Motivation and Inspiration at The Grand Brighton on April 29th 2024. This will be followed up the next day by the third year of the Dynamic Awards.
It will be a packed day of inspirational speakers, riveting interactive panel discussions, motivational workshops and educational seminars run by some of the leading experts in the UK, to aid women’s continuing professional development.
We have a dazzling array of speakers – to be revealed very soon –and much more in a day to remember for the 500 lucky ticket holders.
Meloni has promised a populist solution to the immigration crisis. So who is Europe’s newest female leader?
And what are her chances of success on this Sisphyean task?
October is also Menopause Awareness Month, with research suggesting that this is still a taboo subject for bosses and managers
The proportion of women who mention ‘family responsibilities’ as a barrier to starting a business, compared to men
GROUP
Investing in women is smart economics, and investing in girls, catching them upstream is even smarter economics
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of World Trade Organisation
2 The Dynamic Festival 2024 Announcing a festival of business for women, focussing on Education, Motivation and Inspiration
24 The Dynamic Awards 2024
The prestigious business awards for women returns for a third year in April next year
8 Upfront: The top international news stories involving women in business
26 In The Right Direction: Good news stories from around the world
Spotlight
28 Highlighting four female business leaders who ought to get more recognition than they currently receive
36 The importance of looking after your bones
48
42
Tess de Klerk discovers how to spend a ‘swish’ time in Amsterdam
UK Women’s businesses have a higher churn rate
Fiona Shafer, MD of MDHUB spent a fabulous day at the Goodwood Revival, ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’
Further reading
38 Yda Bouvier is an executive coach and author of Leading With the Right Brain
40 Art Scene
Kellie Miller discusses the works of Rachel Williams
44 What’s happening at Aydo Lounge & Grill in Brighton Marina
What’s On
46 A brief snapshot of art and culture cross Sussex and Surrey
PUBLISHER: Maarten Hoffmann maarten@platinummediagroup.co.uk
EDITOR: Tess de Klerk tess@platinummediagroup.co.uk
MOTORING EDITOR: Fiona Shafer fionas@platinummediagroup.co.uk
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Lesley Alcock lesley@platinummediagroup.co.uk
EVENTS DIRECTOR: Fiona Graves fiona@platinummediagroup.co.uk
EVENTS MANAGER: Žaneta Bealing zaneta@platinummediagroup.co.uk
HEAD OF DESIGN: Michelle Shakesby design@platinummediagroup.co.uk
SUB EDITOR: Alan Wares alan@platinummediagroup.co.uk
WWW.PLATINUMMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK
But women are less likely to attribute closure to ‘business failure’ and more likely to cite ‘personal reasons’
– which peak at ages 25-34 for women
Welcome to the October edition of Dynamic Magazine.
For those who may not have realised it, October is the longest month of the year, and we have some sublime content to match that longevity.
For our Big Story, we look at the rise to the political summit of Italy’s fi rst female prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and her attempts to get to grips with immigration. How long will her tenure be? History isn’t on her side, as the average Italian administration lasts just 400 days. As of October 1st, she’d have been in office for around 320 days…
We also celebrate Black History Month; the theme of which this year is ‘Saluting our Sisters’, highlighting the positive forces for change black women have been in history. We salute nine groundbreaking black British women who have made their mark already.
We also highlight Menopause Awareness Month with a look at how certain archaic attitudes in the workplace are still causing concern for many women reaching that stage of life.
But our big news this month is that we are launching the Dynamic Festival – a celebration of women in business. We are very excited about this; the event takes places in Brighton next year. Turn back to page two for more information.
Of course, Dynamic Magazine offers you so much more, so please enjoy the magazine.
Editor, Dynamic Magazine tess@platinummediagroup.co.uk
The City watchdog is proposing to toughen its “fit and proper persons” test to crack down on workplace misconduct in an effort to make the finance industry a safer work environment for women.
In a consultation paper published on September 25th, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) put forward stricter rules against abusers and regulated firms that may have failed to punish offenders.
The move follows a string of sexual harassment allegations in the City, which have included claims made against the hedge fund tycoon Crispin Odey.
Nikhil Rathi, Chief Executive of the FCA, told the Sunday Telegraph: “Financial services workplaces need to be safe places for women.”
Despite, or maybe because of, the relative lack of opportunities in many companies across the UK, combined with challenging economic times, research has revealed a “marked rise” in the number of women starting their own businesses. The research, carried out by Small Business Britain found that 39% of female entrepreneurs said that improving their work-life balance was the biggest catalyst for starting a business.
Meanwhile, 30% said they launched firms as they wanted to choose where they worked, and 25% reassessed their careers after having children.
More than 150,000 new companies were started by women in 2022 – more than twice as many as in 2018 – according to the latest Rose Review.
The Attorney General, The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis KC MP, has come under fire from the legal profession for ‘re-writing Contempt of Court legislation on the fly’. An ‘advisory’ dated September 22nd on the government’s own gov.uk website warned the media not to post anything which may prejudice the case against Russell Brand. This statement, according to leading KCs, has no basis in law as, at the time of writing, there was no active police investigation, nor had Mr Brand been arrested, which is when Contempt of Court rules kick in. The Times newspaper which, along with its Sunday sister paper and Channel 4’s ‘Dispatches’ programme, broke the story wrote, “The Attorney General’s censorious warning has no basis in law. She should withdraw it immediately.”
Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes
Jim Carrey
Female business owners and entrepreneurs are being urged to take part in a research project which will examine their impact on the regional and national economy.
The research, a collaboration between the University of York and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), will look at some of the barriers preventing female entrepreneurs from succeeding.
Findings from the project will be used to help shape the creation of supportive regional policy. The research seeks the views from all types of women in business, whether they are self-employed, freelancers, small businesses to larger businesses, female owned or female led and at any stage of their business journey.
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE has been announced as the winner for the global Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
The One Young World community for young leaders created the award, sponsored by TFG Asset Management, to identify and promote the world’s most innovative entrepreneurs.
Dr Imafidon is the co-founder of Stemettes, dedicated to inspiring and promoting young women and non-binary people in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical (STEM) sectors. Since its inception ten years ago, it has exposed 60,000 young people across Europe to her vision for a more diverse and balanced science and tech community.
She was awarded an MBE in the 2017 New Year’s Honours for services to young women and STEM sectors.
After her father’s sudden death in a car accident when she was a baby, Tessa Marshall, grew up with no memories of him. Drawing on her personal experience, she created ‘This Was Them’ as a new way to support children experiencing parental grief.
This Was Them gathers memories and stories from family, friends, and colleagues. These, along with photos, are curated into a beautiful hard back book which is then gifted to the bereaved child.
This valuable resource enables the grieving child to feel supported and connected, and gives them the opportunity to know mum, dad, or even grandparents better. The book is seen as a toolkit for children navigating grief. www.thiswasthem.co.uk
Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult
Charlotte Whitton
Women that believe in each other can survive anything. Women who believe in each other create armies that will win kingdoms and wars
Nikita Gill, Poet
Throughout history, black people have consistently led the charge in advocating for social justice, confronting oppression, and catalysing transformation. Nonetheless, despite their significant contributions to society, the remarkable accomplishments of black women, in particular, have frequently gone unnoticed or faded into obscurity.
This year, the theme of Black History Month is fittingly ‘Saluting our Sisters’, honouring and highlighting the pivotal role that black women have had in shaping history, igniting transformative shifts, and fostering communities.
Here we shine a spotlight on trailblazing black women who have left a significant mark in various fields, including business, entrepreneurship, academia, politics, civil services and beyond...
Black women have risen as prominent figures in the world of business and entrepreneurship. Their pursuits exemplify resilience, creativity, and an unwavering determination to challenge conventional standards. Acknowledging their accomplishments not only celebrates personal triumphs but also paves the way for upcoming generations. The pioneering women in this context have shattered boundaries, sparked transformation, and established an enduring heritage. To these exceptional women, we salute you.
Dr Kanya King CBE is a globally recognised entrepreneur and diversity advocate, known for founding MOBO and MOBOLISE. Since 1996, she has built MOBO into an international brand that champions diversity and talent from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities in music, culture, arts, fashion, and media. The MOBO Awards, under her leadership, has become a prestigious global event.
Kanya’s dedication to nurturing young talent led to the establishment of the MOBO Trust, offering training and educational opportunities. She also serves on influential boards and committees, representing the music and creative sectors. She has received MBE and CBE honours, the Music Week Strat Award (a special award for outstanding contribution to music) in 2021, and numerous honorary doctorates.
As the founder and CEO of MOBO, Kanya King has made it one of the most televised urban music awards shows worldwide, reaching over 400 million viewers across 200 countries since 1996.
❛❛ Follow your passion, not just the latest trends ❜❜
❛❛ The world needs more people who dare to take the unconventional path ❜❜
Izzy Obeng is dedicated to levelling the playing field for entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds in the predominantly male and white tech industry. Izzy serves as the founder and director of Foundervine, an inclusive community that nurtures budding entrepreneurs. Through this startup accelerator, she offers early-stage companies mentorship, training, and financial assistance. Since its establishment in 2018, Foundervine has empowered over 300 entrepreneurs to launch their own businesses.
Her journey began at KPMG, the professional services firm, where she worked as a management consultant in the People & Change practice. In this role, she led transformative projects for some of the world’s largest brands, focusing on creating workplaces that prioritise the well-being of their employees. Today, she leads Foundervine and takes on an advisory role in entrepreneurship at the University of London, where she oversees an incubator programme, and manages grants for student-led businesses.
Vanessa Kingori OBE is a British businesswoman, diversity advocate and youth supporter with over 20 years of media industry experience. She currently serves as the Chief Business Officer at Conde Nast Britain, overseeing all ten CNB media brands, including Vogue and GQ. Vanessa made history as the first female business leader at British Vogue and British GQ, achieving remarkable success in revenue generation. She is a sought-after speaker on topics like digital transformation, change management, and business purpose, especially for FTSE 100 companies.
She is a prominent youth advocate, serving as a Governor and Trustee on University of the Arts London (UAL’s) Board of Directors and holding a Visiting Fellow role at the UAL, where she mentors students across its six colleges. She also contributes to key organisational decisions. Vanessa received honorary accolades from both UAL and Royal Holloway.
As a diversity advocate, she judges the Black British Business Awards and the Veuve Clicquot Business Women of The Year Award. She is a member of The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Race Equality Taskforce. Vanessa supports women entrepreneurs through her involvement in Peanut StartHer, a micro fund focused on assisting pre-seed startups in tech and business, especially those founded by women with a purpose-driven mission.
VANESSA KINGORI MBE CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER, CONDE NAST
❛❛ Success is not about who you are, but what you become ❜❜IZZY OBENG FOUNDER, FOUNDERVINE
Over the course of history, women have encountered many obstacles while striving to lead, and black women have faced further obstacles complicated by the burden of racial prejudice. Nevertheless, black women have consistently transcended these challenges, leaving their indelible marks on the pages of history. We salute you.
After a successful career as a barrister, Dame Linda Dobbs DBE made history in October 2004 by becoming the UK’s first non-white High Court judge. She had previously served as a Deputy High Court Judge starting in 2003. In her barrister career, she actively participated in various committees, including those related to race relations, equal opportunities, international matters, professional conduct, and professional standards. In 2003, she became the Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, where she established its first Equality and Diversity sub-committee.
During her tenure on the High Court Bench, Dame Linda held significant roles, including Senior Liaison Judge for Diversity, Chair of the Magisterial Committee of the Judicial Studies Board, Chair of the International Committee of the Judicial College, and a Fawcett Commissioner.
Dame Linda Dobbs has been recognised as one of Britain’s most influential Black women and has also been named among the 100 Great Black Britons. In 2013, she left her High Court Bench position early to pursue various interests, including the international training of judges and lawyers, with a specific focus on the Caribbean and Africa.
HIGH COURT JUDGE, RETIRED
❛❛ Justice should be colour-blind, but that doesn’t mean we should be blind to the importance of diversity on the bench ❜❜
❛❛ Racism is a disease. And we have to work together to find a cure ❜❜
Doreen Lawrence OBE is the mother of Stephen Lawrence, the British teenager who was murdered in a racist attack in 1993. In the aftermath of the McPherson Inquiry into the killing, she continued to campaign for justice for her son, as well as other victims of racist crime. She has worked to secure further reforms of the police service, and in 2003 was appointed OBE for services to community relations.
Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon is the founder of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, which promotes a positive community legacy in her son’s name. She has been selected to sit on panels at the Home Office and the Police Service and is a member of both the board and the council of Liberty, the human rights organisation, as well as being a patron of hate crime charity Stop Hate UK.
Her work has led her to receive a number of achievements like the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 14th Pride of Britain Awards. She also served on the Joint Committee on Human Rights in Parliament.
❛❛ We need more leaders who will stand up for justice, fairness, and human rights ❜❜
Baroness Amos began working in local government in London and led the Equal Opportunities Commission from 1989-94. In August 1997, the Labour Party government under Tony Blair appointed her a life peer. Within the House of Lords, Amos took on roles as the government spokesperson for social security, international development, women’s issues, and foreign and Commonwealth affairs.
In May 2003, she became the first Black woman to join the British cabinet when she was appointed as the International Development Secretary. Amos assumed the position of Leader of the House of Lords, which she held until 2007.
Subsequently, she served as the British High Commissioner to Australia from 2009-10 and as the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs from 2010-15. In 2015, she took on the role of director at the SOAS at the University of London. She departed in 2020 to become the first woman and the first Black person to lead a college at the University of Oxford.
These women harness the potency of their words and the force of their unwavering beliefs to drive change. Their messages resonate well beyond mere speeches, breaking down obstacles and paving the path for progress. Through their courage and conviction, they prove that even just one voice can ignite a movement.
Yvette Williams MBE has over three decades of experience in driving cultural and organisational change, promoting equality and diversity, and crafting public and community engagement strategies. She’s been actively involved with various organisations, including the Mangrove Community Association, Tabernacle Community Centre, and Pepper Pot Club.
She co-founded Operation Black Vote and served as the head of Equality and Diversity for the Crown Prosecution Service in London for 14 years, focusing on prosecuting hate crimes and community engagement.
In 2012, Yvette received an MBE for her exceptional contributions. She co-founded the Justice 4 Grenfell Campaign, raising awareness of the Grenfell Tower disaster. Yvette has been a prominent speaker at events like the Women of the World festival, GMB union conference’s Justice Lecture, and TEDx London.
The Justice 4 Grenfell team received the Significant Contribution Award in 2019 and the Education Category Award in 2020 at the New York Film Festival for their impactful film, “Grenfell and Social Murder.”
Her written contributions have appeared in various publications, and she graced the cover of British Vogue in September 2020 as one of 20 international activists. She was also recognised in the UK Ethnicity Awards Top 100 list for her unwavering commitment to positive change and justice advocacy.
❛❛ The truth will always fi nd its voice ❜❜
❛❛ The history of Black women in Britain is a testimony to our ability to survive, adapt and grow in the face of adversity ❜❜
Stella Dadzie is famous for ‘The Heart of the Race: Black Women’s lives in Britain,’ which earned her the 1985 Martin Luther King Award for Literature. This book was reissued by Verso in 2018 and is now considered a seminal feminist classic. In October 2020, she released her latest book, ‘A Kick in the Belly: Women, Slavery & Resistance,’ published by Verso, and it received widespread critical acclaim.
Stella is also a founding member of OWAAD (Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent), a national collective that emerged in the late 1970s during the British Civil Rights movement, primarily advocating for the rights of Black women. Recently, she has been recognised as one of the influential figures in Black Feminism in the UK, often referred to as one of its “grandmothers.” Her personal archive, housed in the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton, is a frequent destination for researchers and scholars. Throughout her 40-year career, Stella has made significant contributions as a writer, artist, and education activist. She has authored numerous publications and resources aimed at promoting effective practices for Black learners and other minority groups. Her work also extends to efforts to decolonise and diversify the national curriculum in schools and colleges across the UK.
❛❛ Being British is not a matter of straightforward lineage, but a complex interweaving of histories, cultures and choices ❜❜
Afua Hirsch has over 20 years’ experience in journalism, having started her career at the age of 14 with The Voice, Britain’s oldest Black national newspaper. Subsequently, she engaged in international development work across 15 countries in Africa. Later, she pursued a career as a barrister, specialising in media law, international justice, and human rights.
Over ten years, Hirsch has written for the Guardian newspaper. She began as a legal correspondent, later becoming a foreign correspondent, where she established the paper’s first-ever West Africa bureau. She also frequently contributes to publications such as the New York Times, Time Magazine and Vogue.
Hirsch’s diverse career also includes serving as the social affairs editor and anchor at Sky News. She has also been involved in multiple projects, including reporting via international media outlets.
In 2018, she authored her debut book, ‘Brit(ish): Getting Under the Skin of Britain’s Race Problem’. The book achieved bestseller status and received the Royal Society of Literature Jerwood Award.
Whichever way you view her political activism, it’s not unreasonable to say she is a continuation of Italy’s overt flirtation with the far-right… Certainly, you’d be hard pushed to call her social attitudes ‘liberal’
For many reasons, immigrants from Africa and the Middle East come to Europe via unorthodox routes. The first port of call into Europe is usually either Greece or Italy.
There are now thousands of migrants to deal with when they reach Lampedusa – an island in the Mediterranean, closer to Tunisia than to mainland Italy. However, as being part of the Italian nation, it is that country that needs to deal with the migrants.
Countries in the EU, with their international obligation to help immigrants, whether by housing them, granting them asylum or repatriating them as appropriate, need to step up in order to help their fellow nations. This should not be Greece’s nor Italy’s problems alone.
New far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has promised a populist solution to the crisis. So who is Europe’s newest female leader? And what are her chances of success on the question of immigration?
Giorgia Meloni has been serving as the prime minister of Italy since October 22nd 2022, the fi rst woman to hold this position. A member of the Chamber of Deputies since 2006, she has led the Brothers of Italy (FdI) political party since 2014, and she has been the president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party since 2020.
Such is her rise in Italian politics that, in 2022, Meloni was listed seventh on Forbes magazine’s list of ‘Most Powerful Women in the World’.
Giorgia Meloni was born in Rome on January 15th 1977. Her father Francesco was from Rome, and her mother Anna is from Sicily. Her father was a tax advisor and often voted for the Italian Communist Party while her mother later became a novelist.
Her father left the family when she was a year old in 1978. Giorgia herself has four step-siblings from her father’s second marriage. She was raised in the working-class district of Garbatella in Rome, moving there after the more affluent home she had fi rst lived in as an infant with her parents was destroyed in a house fi re a few years after her father left. Her upbringing has been described by her family as ‘impoverished’. In her autobiography, Meloni wrote that her childhood and family’s breakdown was an influence on her political outlook.
RIGHT: Meloni, on her appointment as Italian Minister of Youth, 2008
BELOW: Meloni with Silvio Berlusconi, and Matteo Salvini, attend a centreright coalition rally, 2018
In 1992, aged 15, Meloni joined the Youth Front, the youth wing of the Italian Social Movement (MSI), a neo-fascist political party that ultimately dissolved in 1995. During this time, she founded the student coordination Gli Antenati (The Ancestors), which took part in the protest against the public education reform promoted by minister Rosa Russo Iervolino.
In 1996, she became the national leader of Student Action, the student movement of the post-fascist National Alliance (AN), the national-conservative heir of the MSI, representing this movement in the Student Associations Forum established by the Italian Ministry of Education.
In the 2006 Italian general election, she was elected to the Chamber of Deputies (the Italian equivalent of the House of Commons) as a member of the National Alliance (AN), where she became its youngest ever vice-president.
In the same year, she started to work as a journalist, even though her professional qualifications on this matter are of huge debate. She graduated from an institution that wasn’t itself qualified to issue diplomas.
Meloni defended the laws passed by the third Berlusconi government that benefited companies of the prime minister and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi and also delayed ongoing trials involving him. Meloni stated “it is necessary to contextualise them. Those are laws that Silvio Berlusconi made for himself. But they are perfectly fair laws.”
In her autobiography, Meloni wrote that her childhood and family’s breakdown was an influence on her political outlook
Berlusconi’s ultimate conviction for fraud in 2013 give these words a certain hollow ring. However, given Italian culture and attitude towards a politician creating laws that benefit themselves or their friends, upon his release from prison, he was duly elected an MEP in the 2019 European elections.
In 2008, aged 31, Meloni was appointed Italian Minister of Youth in the fourth Berlusconi government, a position she held until November 2011, when Berlusconi was forced to resign as the prime minister amid a fi nancial crisis and public protests. She was the second youngest-ever minister in the history of united Italy (a unification which been completed in 1871).
In Italy, where political parties are formed and disbanded with the casual abandonment of a stag or hen do, Meloni’s party merged with Forza Italia (FI) into The People of Freedom (PdL) and she took over the presidency of the united party’s youth section, called Young Italy.
In November 2010, on behalf of the ministry, she presented a €300m package called the Right to the Future. It was aimed at investing in young people and contained five initiatives, including incentives for new entrepreneurs, bonuses in favour of temporary workers (effectively, ‘zero hour contracts’), and loans for deserving students.
In November 2012, she announced her bid to contest the PdL leadership against Angelino Alfano, in opposition to the party’s support of the Mario Monti government. She teamed up with fellow politicians Ignazio La Russa
and Guido Crosetto to set out an anti-Monti policy, asking for renewal within the party and being also critical of the leadership of Berlusconi.
The following month, Meloni, La Russa, and Crosetto founded a new political movement, Brothers of Italy (FdI), whose name comes from the words of the Italian national anthem. In the 2013 Italian general election, she stood as part of Berlusconi’s centre-right coalition and received 2.0% of the vote and nine seats.
In the intervening years until her rise to prime minister, she has declared herself as being opposed to LGBT rights, abortion, euthanasia, celebrated far-right politicians (including supporting the naming of a street in Rome after a prominent neo-fascist Giorgio Almirante) and she has also declared that there is no such thing as homophobia in Italy.
Whichever way you view her political activism, it’s not unreasonable to say she is a continuation (rather than renaissance, as it has never really gone away) of Italy’s overt fl irtation with the far-right – something she denies –which carried the ideology to power, and then oblivion, in the early 20th Century. Certainly, you’d be hard pushed to call her social attitudes ‘liberal’.
She has declared herself as being opposed to LGBT rights, abortion, euthanasia, and declared that there is no such thing as homophobia in ItalyMeloni talks to the press about prime minister Giuseppe Conti’s management of Covid-19, 2020
In a country whose governments function on coalitions (unlike the UK which still largely operates a duopoly in its Parliament), Italy’s 2022 General Election was once again fought with coalitions and agreements among the various political parties and groups.
As of July 2022, FdI was the first party in the coalition according to opinion polling, and Meloni was widely expected to become Prime Minister of Italy if the centre-right coalition obtained an absolute majority in Parliament. It would be considered the most right-wing government in the history of the Italian Republic according to some academics.
Italy itself has been described as a ‘flawed democracy’ by the Economic Intelligence Unit. Meloni’s government is the 75th since the fall of Mussolini, averaging just over 400 days per administration. (The UK, by comparison, is on its 31st government in that time).
In an attempt to moderate herself to placate fears among those who describe FdI as neo-fascist or far right, including fears within the European Commission that she could lead Italy towards Hungary’s political stance under Viktor Orbán, Meloni told the foreign press that Italian fascism is ‘history’.
Italy itself has been described as a ‘flawed democracy’…
Meloni’s government is the 75th since the fall of MussoliniMeloni accepting the task of forming a new government, 2022
Her main campaigning issue was the subject closely associated with the fears of the right - immigration. She called for a zero-tolerance policy, and wants to blockade migrants from reaching Italian ports, while boosting the birth rate of Italian nationals to ease the need for migrant labour. She is also opposed to birthright citizenship proposals, which would give citizenship, including education rights, to foreigners born and living in Italy.
These policies may well be popular with certain sections of Italian society, who are opposed to the concept of immigration for its own sake. However, scratch the surface of these policies, and one can see how quickly they’d fall apart.
If nothing else, Meloni has the advantage of looking across the continent to see how these policies play out, and all the evidence suggests they are almost certainly doomed to failure.
For a start, it requires the connivance of native Italians who may not support this birth policy. The military in Italy, especially the Navy, like many of its counterparts across the western world, is often loathe to get involved with civilian issues like this.
She has linked ‘illegal immigration’ and crime, and refugee arrivals to human trafficking and prostitution – again, a common theme across Europe’s right-wing politicians, and again, without primary evidence.
Meloni tried to make a deal with Tunisian President Kais Saied, with a focus on stopping illegal migration from Tunisia to Europe. Instead, last month, more than 120 boats carrying around 7,000 migrants from Africa arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa within 24 hours. The local migration centre couldn’t cope, and very soon, over 11,000 migrants had arrived on an island which has only 6,000 inhabitants.
For their part, the residents of Lampedusa were largely sympathetic – for now – to the migrants’ plight; they more expressed a concern about their island becoming a ‘tent city’.
In September this year, Giorgia Meloni invited Ursula Von Der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to Lampedusa to see for herself the unfolding problems on the island. Following that visit, Von Der Leyen issued a ten-point action plan to help Italy, the residents of Lampedusa, closer co-operation with Tunisia, support for those who qualify for asylum, a step up in the fight against the people smugglers who are preying on the vulnerable, and a wider-European solution.
She finished her statement with, “Migration is a European challenge that requires a European answer and solution. It is concrete actions that will bring change on the ground. It is only through solidarity and unity that we can achieve this. And you can count on the European Union.”
What the statement did not mention was support for any of Meloni’s policies of zero tolerance or blockades. The Italian government, on the back of Von Der Leyen’s proposals, may well alter course on its route to dealing with a massive migration problem. However, whatever path it does tread, what is evident is that Meloni’s immigration policies, certainly if she wishes to get help from other European nations, have fallen at the first hurdle.
Meloni’s immigration policies, certainly if she wishes to get help from other European nations, have fallen at the first hurdleLEFT: Lampedusa. African migrants are rescued by Italian authorities, 2023
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Projects to revive England’s endangered wildlife species have been awarded £4.5 million of funding by Natural England. 63 projects across the country will receive their share of the grant to help recover 150 species nationwide. From Duke of Burgundy butterflies to North Yorkshire’s Native Crayfish, many species will benefit from the money going towards breeding programmes and restoring habitats.
Neurodivergent individuals often have a harder time finding jobs than their non-neurodivergent counterparts. But this population may have specialised skill sets that makes them better suited for certain roles. Research shows that neurodivergent people can make teams up to 30% more productive when placed in the right environments. Now Mentra, a North Carolina–based startup, is building an AI-powered “neuro-inclusive employment network.” Its tech platform leverages AI to help companies hire employees with cognitive differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, OCD, and PTSD. Since its launch, Mentra has partnered with over 30 universities and more than 200 service providers across the US. Its talent pool has grown from 300 neurodivergent job seekers in March 2022 to over 33,000 today.
Hundreds of communities around the US will share more than $1 billion in federal money to help them plant and maintain trees under a federal programme that is intended to reduce extreme heat, benefit health, and improve access to nature. The US Department of Agriculture announced the $1.13 billion in funding for 385 pre-approved projects.
Rechargeable batteries may seem like a good thing from an environmental point of view, especially compared with disposable ones. However, they’re actually full of heavy metals and have an environmental impact when they reach the end of their lives. Battery developers have long sought an alternative, and now carbon dioxide consumer batteries have been produced which are good for up to 500 recharges. A team at the University of Illinois in Chicago has come up with carbon-neutral batteries that may mean portable electrical products become greener than ever before to use.
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I am thankful for my struggle because, without it, I wouldn’t have stumbled across my strength
Alex Elle
UK ministers are considering a change in law aimed at ensuring individuals have the right to seek a second medical opinion. This has been spurred by the advocacy efforts of parents who lost their teenager to sepsis.
Known as “Martha’s Rule,” this proposed law, named in honour of 13 year-old Martha Mills, is intended to simplify the process for patients and caregivers to question the decisions of healthcare professionals. Martha succumbed to sepsis in 2021 at King’s College Hospital, London, following a bicycle accident.
A report later stated her chances of survival would have been good if she had gone into ICU earlier, while her family’s concerns were ignored.
The plans have received support from across the medical profession.
A novel technology has been demonstrated in the US which allows blind people to gain more visual perception. A research team from UCLA Health has used surgical implants in four blind patients to allow them to perceive light and dark. A wireless device ‘looks’ at objects which then sends signals to the implant. The brain is then able to perceive the implant’s stimulation as patches of light and dark. In some cases, blind people have been able to sense individual objects and even movement.
The UK government has published solar panel deployment statistics which show a total of 15.2GW of solar capacity, an increase of 6.7% in the year since June 2022.
The yearly increase is the highest seen since September 2017, and there are now a total of 1.35m solar installations in the UK.
The government report records 18,808 installations in June 2023, amounting to 84MW of solar capacity. This was the highest monthly figure since March 2023, and is much higher than average figures for 2016-21.
From 2016-21 the median number of solar installations a month was around 3,000, but in the past year the figure has been over 15,000 a month. Meanwhile, solar energy experts believe that the data only covers subsidised installations. Unsubsidised projects are not included in government figures.
Climate change is a looming threat, but our anxious feelings around it may actually have an underlying positive purpose. A University of Bath study suggests that climate anxiety may actually serve as motivation to take action. According to the research, people in the UK who experienced climate anxiety were more likely to engage in behaviours that reduce their carbon footprint, including buying second-hand items and repurposing items, saving energy, and cutting down on meat consumption.
’MARTHA’S RULE’ COULD
❛ ❛ In a world that wants women to whisper, I choose to yell
Luvvie Ajayi
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We need to get women to the point where they aren’t apologising. It’s time to take ownership in our success
Tory Burch
In our exclusive Spotlight feature, we highlight women who are doing good things in their community. They’re not always seen but we think they should be.
Senior Solicitor & Collaborative Lawyer, Gilva Tisshaw founded Tisshaws Family Law Solicitors in 2012. She was the winner of the Lawyer of the Year Award at the Dynamic Business Awards 2023. Here is her story…
Gilva first qualified as a solicitor in 1989. Today, 34 years on, she is the most experienced family law solicitor working in Mid-Sussex. Having built a successful legal career over the following decade after qualifying, she was a founding partner of Hamnett Osborne Tisshaw, before establishing her own family law firm in 2012.
“My motive for setting up Tisshaws was to create a culture of care for both clients and staff, in a specialist firm,” explains Gilva. “People are at their most vulnerable when dealing with a family breakdown. The most important aspect of the work, for me, is that they feel they are represented by someone who genuinely cares and who can guide them appropriately.”
This ethos is at the heart of the firm’s DNA, and Gilva is proud to have built a team of likeminded colleagues, who enjoy supportive office relationships, alongside flexible working arrangements.
“We offer a range of resolution services including mediation, collaborative practice and arbitration. This saves clients the cost and stress of going to court, and instead have a meeting room which can be set up as a courtroom for arbitration and video link hearings. This range of services puts us on par with larger London firms, but with more competitive rates,” she reveals.
A strong believer in justice for all, Gilva has initiated business policies designed to help the most diverse and inclusive range of clients possible, as well as supporting those traditionally underrepresented in the legal world. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, and Gilva and the team were proud winners of the British Chamber of Commerce Trailblazing Equality Award 2022, for both Sussex and the entire Southeast regions.
“Looking to the future, we hope to consolidate and build on our success by prioritising client service and staff welfare, alongside helping to increase diversity within the profession.”
www.tisshawssolicitors.co.uk
A strong believer in justice for all, Gilva has initiated business policies designed to help the most diverse and inclusive range of clients possible
I certainly never dreamt I would be owner of an estate agent; I always wanted to be a lawyer. There was something about righting wrongs that spoke to me from a young age and when I ‘fell’ into this industry as a teenager, I soon realised that working in the property sector would involve promoting a level of integrity not often seen.
I started as a receptionist for a Housing Association and quickly found that having empathy and a listening ear was vital. I learned quickly that caring about the people you are dealing with will always stand you in good stead. I moved into Property Lettings for independent and corporate agencies alike, and I excelled in my career before I relocated to Sussex from Hampshire in 2010.
From the beginning, I was always told that my business model was too ‘fluff y’ to be successful, mainly because I didn’t want to focus my team on hitting financial targets and getting their commission over client satisfaction. I was told clearly that estate agents are ‘commission first, service second’, and this was the opposite of my plans.
I have two businesses, Lawton & Dawe Properties which turns 13 years-old in October, and Property Fusion which hits its tenth anniversary in the same month. I have a team of ten valued staff who know I respect them and their work for me. They, in turn, respect me to carry on our ethos ‘be better; do better’.
The company I started was in a location where I had no contacts and no existing relationships to rely on. Therefore, everything that we have now has been generated by my belief that an estate agent who prioritised kindness and empathy has a space in this market. We still network rather than advertise to grow our business. If you know what
I do, like what I do, and trust me in what I do, those referrals are priceless.
One of the main challenges I have faced is that still some people view a female estate agent with a lack of respect. Only 13% of all estate agents are owned by women –13%! I feel that this statistic is incredibly disheartening, and only when the talents of female estate agents and the attributes that they can bring are fully valued and appreciated will this ever change. I know I will always push my daughters to not settle for anything less than what they want, regardless of traditional gender expectations.
I want to continue to show that there is nothing ‘fluff y’ about caring; that teamed with an unmatchable work ethic and a genuine heart this can get you to anywhere you want to be. If that is a mother of two, wife, daughter, friend, CEO and Founder of two companies, then you can be all that – and more.
www.lawtonanddawe.co.uk #knownolimits
One of the main challenges I have faced is that still some people view a female estate agent with a lack of respect
Chrissie is the Founder and Editor at Changemaker® Media, a social impact business based in Kent
Starting a new business is like writing a first novel - the temptation is to throw all of your ideas into the plot.
I have several goals for Changemaker Media and Marketplace. First up, to mentor contributors who want to write about the environment and nature. Secondly, to feature charities, social enterprises and individuals supporting the planet and thirdly (take a breath), to sell and promote eco products. All of this on my own and unpaid. Unrealistic, I know.
Our first two contributors secured amazing roles. Olivia, a graduate who covered politically-led news, landed an amazing job lobbying MPs in Westminster. Ali, graduate photographer, joined a fashion company that needed to become more sustainable.
As a magazine editor who grew up on Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and Hello!, I feel blessed to have the opportunity to share my experience with aspiring writers.
I have also been a founding director at The Design Gallery for 21 years, which aligns with this new venture.
How do I turn this service into a self-fi nancing business?
Enter Dynamic Magazine and the University of Brighton’s School of Business and Law
Happy days. Yet the big question remained - how do I turn this service into a self-financing business? Enter Dynamic Magazine and the University of Brighton’s School of Business and Law. I completed the intensive Help to Grow “MBA”, and now have a network of inspirational colleagues and entrepreneurial expertise.
Have I learned how to manage the constant stream of ideas? In a way, yes. I get into my metaphorical helicopter and take an overview for a few hours every week, and I remember that I’m doing this because I want to support others - and that others support me.
Thank you to Dynamic Magazine, my mentor David Lynn CDT, Pam Gordon of The Franchising Centre and to my contributors and to everyone working in sustainability –we can’t do it without you.
www.changemaker.media
Instagram: @changemaker.marketplace
E: chrissie@changemaker.media
Sophie Lee is the founder and director of Electric Peach, a brand storytelling and impact agency for purpose-led businesses and B Corps. Here, she tells us her story…
In 2017, the seams of my life finally burst open. The day had been coming for some time. My life was in a bad space and, although I was the head of the content and PR department at a Brighton-based creative agency, I was utterly miserable. Life looked great but felt like an empty void.
Then, the toxic relationship I found myself in ended, and I was left with my share of the flat sale and the opportunity to take a deep, painful look in the mirror. As fate would have it, I met Alice Reeves just a few months later. We bonded over a shared disdain for the industry we both worked tirelessly for.
It was agreed. Marketing needed a makeover.
The Joyful was born in September 2017 with an audacious vision: to transform marketing from a manipulation machine into a force for good, a way to electrify audiences with impossible-to-ignore stories that unite communities around a shared vision, and galvanise them to action.
Earlier this year, Alice lovingly left to start Joyfully Different, a community for neurodiverse entrepreneurs. We rebranded to become Electric Peach, at the same time as becoming an accredited B Corp with a score of 107.
Electric Peach works with organisations such as CIEEM, the United Nations, and nationwide colleges and universities, as well as impact-driven, global brands. We donate over 20% of our profits to aligned organisations, and are on track to becoming employee-owned.
I am also a non-executive director at the Organisation for Responsible Business, a trustee for Recovery Connections, a lived experience recovery charity, and a business mentor for Enterprise Nation. I’m passionate about the importance of responsible business practice and the power of brand storytelling to shift the narrative and drive real social change and impact.
www.electricpeach.co.uk
The Joyful was born in September 2017 with an audacious vision: to transform marketing from a manipulation machine into a force for good
While mental health often takes the spotlight, it’s important we continue to open up the conversation on the less talked about aspects of our health; like menopause awareness. Since 2009, the IMS (International Menopause Society) alongside the World Health Organisation (WHO) designate October as World Menopause Awareness Month
The Cambridge Dictionary definition of the menopause is very succinct. In fact, some might say this is an unfortunately scant description of a major life event that affects all women who reach later life. That the definition is so brief could be seen as a reflection of the fact that the social impact of menopause has for years been taboo or dismissed entirely in our society - especially in the world of work.
Yet the menopause is a complex event which can display many different facets depending on the individual and their environment. This, combined with a stigma which has lasted for generations, makes it a difficult topic to discuss both formally and informally. In recent years there has been growing awareness of menopause.
Increasingly, women are being encouraged to open up about issues and discuss the changes and effects which happen to them. Many businesses – with the help of expert consultants – are rolling out menopause policies, and working to create a culture that promotes openness when it comes to menopause.
Common symptoms of the menopause can include hot flushes, mood swings, loss of sex drive, fatigue and ‘brain fog’. These are symptoms which can have an impact on your daily life but are not always talked about.
A 2022 Government inquiry by the Women and Equalities Committee examined the extent of discrimination faced by menopausal people in the workplace, and investigated how Government policy and workplace practices can better support those experiencing menopause.
The result of this inquiry was a range of recommendations. These include appointing a Menopause Ambassador, and introducing menopause leave. On January 24th 2023, MPs rejected these recommendations, and also dismissed a further recommendation to include menopause as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act.
Against this backdrop, we wanted to investigate the view of workers - both male and female - of the menopause at work. It’s a phase of life which affects 51% of the population. And with women over 50 representing the fastest growing segment of the workforce, it is crucial that businesses and organisations work to retain this talent.
‘Older women,’ as a defined group, can be an untapped resource of knowledge and experience. In many cultures, menopausal women are seen as the wise and experienced people to turn to for guidance and support.
We believe there is an opportunity here, for businesses to actively seek out women who are going through this life stage. Our report uses quantitative research of UK workers mixed with expert commentary to examine this issue, and suggest solutions, tactics and methods to help create menopausefriendly work cultures for everyone.
Our society sexualises women when they are still girls and discards them at their most powerful. With an ageing population, poor female representation at board level, and a gaping hole in the workforce, this is as financially ludicrous as it is sexist and ageist
Claire Lowson, Founder of Supermenopausethe time in a woman’s life when she gradually stops having periods
The DAPS Agency, PR, marketing and communications agency that states it ‘thrives on a challenge’, along with Prospectus Global, an independent, international research and insights agency, published a paper on their findings having spoken to men and women of all ages on society’s view on the menopause.
Some of their findings make for some eyebrow bungee-jumping…
• On a fundamental level, 19% of people (a quarter of men and 12% of women) admit that they have no knowledge at all about menopause.
• 21% of men, and one in 10 women even have no idea when women might start menopause.
• One in five of all 18-to-24-year-olds are unaware of what the symptoms of menopause might be.
• 61% of women over 45 agree that “menopausal” is often used in an insulting or pejorative manner.
• 49% of women aged 45 and over would not feel comfortable talking to a line manager about menopausal symptoms.
The study found that only 37% of managers have been offered training around menopause. This results in some unacceptable responses from bosses. When these managers were confronted with people who told them they were suffering menopause symptoms -
• 27% admitted they were shocked
• 25% didn’t know what to do
• 16% thought they were being lied to
• 9% thought the complainant was making a fuss about nothing
• 8% ignored them.
In all 47% of women did not feel supported during their menopause.
While women have some protection for their menopause from the Equalities Act 2010, which means that discrimination on grounds of sex, disability or age is illegal, making menopause a protected characteristic, alongside others such as pregnancy, would be a big step forward.
Menopause is not an illness, it’s a natural phase of a woman’s life
Pat Duckworth Founder of Smarter Menopause
Speaking up about the menopause often does not come easily for many women; as a result, many will suffer in silence. There are ways to increase menopause awareness at work and celebrate World Menopause Awareness Day at the same time.
Champion Health in London has created a whole range of helpful guidance notices for women to raise menopause issues, and for individuals and organisations to treat them appropriately.
Your fi rst challenge in raising menopause awareness is to tackle the stigma surrounding it. Do this by turning the menopause into a normal topic of conversation.
Th is means helping others to understand what happens during the menopause. Increasing this level of understanding isn’t just helpful for other women, it’s key for all of us because it gives us the skills we need to support our colleagues, friends and family. Several organisations provide menopause training within the workplace, like Menopause in the Workplace.
Looking to create your own training? The Faculty of Occupational Medicine has published guidance on menopause in the workplace, which you should utilise. It can also be hugely impactful to invite staff members to share their own experiences of the menopause – if they are comfortable doing so.
You may also want to consider creating an informal support group, giving your employees a safe space where they can discuss their experience and offer peer support.
Women often avoid talking about the menopause at work because they’re afraid it will jeopardise their job. That means one of your challenges in raising menopause awareness is to tackle the stigma surrounding it. Do this by turning the menopause into a normal topic of conversation – don’t be afraid to talk about it openly in meetings and emails.
The best organisations will also introduce awareness sessions and train line managers on how to have the right conversations and offer the best support.
Th is also means reaffi rming your zero-tolerance policy on discrimination – which includes the menopause.
❛❛It is essential to create safe spaces for open dialogue among women, while also ensuring the availability of trained individuals who can offer support and find solutions
Emma
Freivogel, Founder, Radical RecruitIt may feel daunting to take in so much information about the menopause, especially when you want to present this to your organisation. Luckily, there are some fantastic resources out there just waiting to be shared with your organisation – including:
• For everyone: Managing the Menopause at Work PDF Guide
• For organisations: Menopause in the Workplace: What Organisations Can Do
• For professionals: How to work through the menopause
We also highly recommend CIPD’s Line Manager Guide to the Menopause, which you can download at www.cipd.org/uk/topics/menopause
• www.imsociety.org/education/world-menopause-day
• https://perspectusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/ 2023/09/Perspectus-x-DAPS-Menopause-Report-2023.pdf
If you can, use this information to raise menopause awareness in your organisation. By helping to break down this damaging stigma, you’ll help to improve the lives of women across the world.
https://championhealth.co.uk
https://perspectusglobal.com
https://dapsagency.com
If we are serious about making a difference to those who are going through menopause, we have to accept that there is no one menopause. Each woman experiences her menopause with her own individual challenges
Dr Rachel Taylor, Neuroscientist
• Personal finance advice
• Retirement planning
• Business support
• Generational planning
• Tax year-end advice
I’m proud to represent both male and female clients. And, while it goes without saying that both can experience the same stressors, there’s no avoiding the fact that women face several unique challenges.
My 20 years’ experience has shown that women can therefore greatly benefit from highly personalised financial advice, which takes these challenges into account. This is why I’m so passionate about empowering women with the confidence and tools to help them achieve their long-term financial goals.
So, whatever your financial journey so far, let me give you the guidance, support, and stability to help you plan a happy and financially secure life.
The topic of bone health isn’t given anywhere near as much airtime as weight gain, hot flushes, mood changes and sleep issues, yet it’s really incredibly important to pay attention to, writes
TANYA BOROWSKIWorldwide, one in three women aged 50 or over will suffer an osteoporotic fracture. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can be life-threatening and a major cause of pain and longterm disability.
Bone is a beautiful, unique material; light yet strong, thereby providing the perfect internal scaffolding structure for our skeleton which muscle overlays, to facilitate easy movement.
In addition, the skeleton protects many of our organs –the rib cage shields the heart and lungs. Some bones, within the bone marrow, are also factories for red blood cells, responsible for delivering oxygen around the body (to prevent anaemia). They are mostly in the spine and hip bones, so a fractured hip could mean your blood cell production factory declines!
Specifically Type III collagen gives bone a framework. Much like the supports of a building that carry the weight of other parts of the structure and any imposed load, collagen allows for the incorporation of minerals, mainly calcium and phosphate, providing a flexibility. In that way, the bone can deal with pressure and resist breaking.
Phosphate mineral complexes which fill the spaces between the collagen framework, making bones solid and strong.
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Osteoblasts and osteoclasts remove and replace weakened sections of bone in a continual process called remodelling.
Calcium supplements have traditionally been the go-to for bone health, but this doesn’t support bone flexibility adequately, and too much calcium supplementation can cause serious health issues and interfere with the absorption of other minerals such as iron and magnesium.
Health care professionals prefer that you aim to get all the calcium you need from your food. The daily recommended intake is 700mg a day. If you have a diagnosis of osteoporosis, then increase this to 1200mg a day.
There are plenty of foods you can eat to get calcium through your diet. Foods rich in calcium include:
• dairy products, like plain yoghurt (125g provides 300mg calcium) and cheese (40g of edam or gouda provides 300mg of calcium)
• green leafy vegetables (a small bag of watercress or 110g broccoli provide 50mg calcium per serving)
• Almonds (10 nuts provide 50mg calcium)
• sesame seeds and tahini (1tsp provides 100mg calcium)
• sardines (50g provides 200mg of calcium)
• Beans pulses and tofu
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The Royal Osteoporosis Society has a wonderful calciumrich food selector on its website. To see whether you’re getting enough calcium from what you eat and drink, you can use this online calculator, from the University of Edinburgh.
Vitamin D helps your body absorb and use calcium. There’s a small amount of vitamin D in some foods, but it’s difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone. Foods containing vitamin D include oily fish, such as herring, salmon and mackerel, eggs.
Our bones also need a range of minerals, such as boron, copper, magnesium, silicon, zinc and potassium for the mineralisation of collagen fibres and bone.
Vitamin K ‘turns on’ a protein called osteocalcin which is necessary for bone building and bone healing.
Vitamin K1: is found in green leafy vegetables, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, asparagus, okra, parsley, fruit, cereals and vegetable oils. Smaller amounts are in meat, eggs, dairy and cheese.
Vitamin K2: most is provided by the bacterial flora of the gut. It’s also found in fish, meat, liver and eggs, soy foods and some fermented dairy, such as cottage, ricotta, brie and Gouda cheeses, yoghurt and kefir.
Collagen works to support healthy function in all components of the living bone tissue, which is why it trumps calcium supplements. Collagen comes in different forms and different molecular weights to reach different body tissues: a ‘skin, hair and nails collagen’ will not reach your bones!
I particularly favour specific bioactive collagen peptides found in a product classified as a medical food ‘bonebalance™,’ which has been optimised to be absorbed into bone tissue and to stimulate the bone cells by:
• Signalling the osteoblasts (bone building cells) into action.
•Reducing the activity of the osteoclasts (bone breakdown cells).
And don’t forget, bone thickens in response to physical activities with repeated loads e.g. weight-bearing exercises such as weight lifting, yoga, pilates, gardening, walking and classes like boxfit . Do what brings you joy - not dread!
https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/bone-health/ nutrition-for-bones/calcium/calcium-rich-food-chooser www.tanyaborowski.com
Health care professionals prefer that you aim to get all the calcium you need from your food
The four stages of osteoporosis
Yda Bouvier is an executive coach and author of Leading with the Right Brain. While most of us, through our careers and education, have been trained to be left-brain thinkers –analytical, strategic and goal-focused – Yda argues that by tapping into the more visual, creative and empathetic right brain, we could unlock our leadership superpower
Remote working has become a common practice since the COVID pandemic. While working from home offers staff more flexibility, many leaders also worry that it causes less engagement with work, and fewer collaborative connections between colleagues.
Many leaders and teams are proficient ‘left-brain’ thinkers – logical, analytical, strategic. Yet the unique strengths of the ‘right brain’ are vital for nurturing strong virtual working relationships.
The right brain is the centre of our capacity for empathy, the ability to share and understand the emotions of others. Activating the right brain when working remotely allows leaders to build resilient virtual communities where teams can foster deeper connections with each other.
How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders? And, how do you embed the value of courage in your culture
THINK AGAIN THE POWER OF KNOWING WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW
By Adam Grant
WH Allen (2023)
This million-copy bestseller focusses on the importance of the willingness and ability to change our minds and beliefs. To have the edge, we all need to develop the flexibility to unlearn old beliefs and adapt when the evidence and the world changes before us. Told through fascinating stories, informed by research and illustrated with insights from Adam Grant’s conversations this is the ultimate guide to keeping your thinking fresh, learning when to question your ideas and update your own opinions, and how to inspire those around you to do the same.
The fi rst ingredient for fostering a virtual community is to activate the right side of the brain as quickly as possible, and allow colleagues to really get to know each other through right brain connections. As the right brain processes in images rather than words, visual stimulation is very important. For instance, you could ask staff to find and share an object from their home that describes a key part of their personality; to tell the story behind the object and explain what part of their personality it represents. Sharing a piece of your home is not possible to do during in-person meetings and adds a unique flavour to the virtual environment. So it becomes a new and exciting space, not just an attempt to replicate an in-person meeting.
The next ingredient is making the time to show up for each other, being as happy to give as you are to receive. Interactions need to be structured so that there is real exchange and collaboration. One of the most impactful ways of achieving this is by orchestrating problem-solving within a metaphor, inviting right-brain thinking into the conversation with images.
For example, you could ask a team member, “what metaphor captures the complexity of your current project?”. They might say “it’s like being on a ship on an open sea”. You can activate the other team members’ right-brain thinking by asking what they would do if they were on the ship, triggering everyone’s right brains to then find solutions collaboratively.
THE 14 PATTERNS FOR MASTERING THE LANGUAGE OF INFLUENCE
By Shelle Rose Charvet Bloomanity LLC (2019)Want to find out how people get motivated, make decisions, to be more persuasive with everyone? Learn how to use the right words with the right people, and get through the “Communication Wall.” Shelle Rose Charvet shows you how to match your language to people around you (in your work, with your colleagues, your boss and your clients, and at home, with your partner, family and other relationships).
This book is powerful tool that enables you to understand, predict and influence behaviour by decoding the language people use.
BRAVE WORK. TOUGH CONVERSATIONS. WHOLE HEARTS
By Dr Brené Brown Vermilion (2019)Brené Brown spent over two decades researching the emotions that give meaning to our lives. Over the years, she found that leaders ranging from small start-ups and family-owned businesses to non-profits, civic organisations and Fortune 50 companies, are asking the same questions: How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders? And, how do you embed the value of courage in your culture? Dare to Lead answers these questions and gives us actionable strategies and real examples from her research-based, couragebuilding programme.
While working from home offers staff more flexibility, many leaders also worry that it causes less engagement with workBy KELLIE MILLER
My practice is an exploration—always. I don’t feel any particular need to continue down one path for years and years. I feel the need always to be making new work, breaking new ground, making something interesting to me, that is exciting to me, that fulfi ls my need to create things with faith, that everything feeds into everything else.
New Zealand-born Rachel Williams works across several disciplines, from oil on canvas and wood panel to paper and plastic. From her fi rst love – printmaking – comes the need to make the transferred marks which permeate her work. The similarity and difference theme provides much background to her practice. Perceptions of sameness, repetition, and subtleties of difference perceived or actual pepper her output. Rachel rarely uses a brush but instead prefers to scrape and imprint the paint onto the surface using a variety of often mundane objects such as cardboard, acetate, cloth and bubble wrap.
She is open to all printing forms but is particularly drawn to mono-printing. Mono means ‘one’, a printing process that only produces one piece. Rachel naturally favours original printing techniques and is interested in capturing a spark in the moment of inspiration.
Her recent collection explores the notion of museums and how a museum would move an object from one place to another, therefore containing and displaying the artefacts of the world. The museum concept is like her printmaking process. She calls this Transference, whereby she uses many materials and objects to create her marks and imagery.
Other themes she has been working on are endangered animals’ connection with museums and archaeology, which is a natural progression. It feeds back into her interest in the mark-making of cave paintings and a fascination with the combination of human and animal, whether a BirdMan or Cynocephalus.
Rachel is obsessed with creating BirdMen. The bird symbolism that is perhaps associated with freedom the Egyptians symbolised as Ba, the bird that appears as a physical soul symbolising rebirth, equates roughly to our idea of personality and is often shown as a bird whose duty was to feed the deceased.
She is strongly linked with archaeology, ancient culture and grave goods. She is connecting to how we live and the proximity to the now. We still have talismans and superstitions. And many moments of everyday life are not that different now from times gone by. There is a sense of the afterlife and the laying of time in Rachel’s art, which is also captured in her printmaking processes.
It is inspiring to witness that her art never stops still, just like the artist herself.
We still have talismans and superstitions. And many moments of everyday life are not that different now from times gone by
Grave Goods IV
TESS DE KLERK has gone for the more refined, upmarket one. Here’s why…
Recently a friend wanted us to spend a weekend in Amsterdam. She had never been, and I knew that she would not appreciate two days of ducking stag dos, clouds of marijuana or breaking an expensive heel on a dirty dance floor. Challenge accepted. Chic all the way.
Airport queues and screaming toddlers on budget fl ights have long since taken the wind out of air travel. Instead, I booked us onto Eurostar. The £300 return ticket (cattle class) seemed unreasonably steep for a short journey but I’m glad I chose this option. Customs was a breeze (in August!) and we sat back, ate our sushi, read our papers, all in relative peace. The whole journey from the time we arrived at St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal took five hours.
We arrived rather late on this particular Friday evening but if you do emerge from Amsterdam Centraal during daylight hours, take a wander along the lovely Brouwersgracht (literally - Brewers’ canal) west of the station. The pretty bridges mean it is justifiably Amsterdam’s most photographed canal.
Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at swanky lodgings. We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, which was created by combining six 17th-century canal palaces together. Located on Herengracht – or Gentleman’s canal –it is ideally located in the heart of the city, close to all major museums, theatres and shops. Other chic hotel options are Hotel Pulitzer and Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky.
Our hotel offered complementary bike hire but no matter where you’re staying, bike hire is never far away in this city. Hop on for an easy 20-minute cycle to Fabrique des Lumières where famous artists and their works come alive in this incredible exhibition. Watch as renowned artworks are projected onto walls up to 17 metres high, aided with light, video and sound. Walk among the brushstrokes of masters and become a part of their creations.
Certainly peckish now, Mana Mana West is just a couple of minutes away, serving Middle Eastern cuisine in a laidback cafe. But if you’re looking for something classier and leaning more toward Dutch cuisine, head for De Belhamel, a stylish canal-side restaurant with picturesque views at the edge of the Jordaan quarter. Jordaan is one of Amsterdam’s most central neighbourhoods, and one of the prettiest too. With maze-like streets, quaint art galleries, boutiques and flower-lined canals, it’s the perfect neighbourhood to while away the remainder of your afternoon.
Take an evening canal boat cruise and soak up the charm of the city by twinkling lights. We booked an evening cruise with Pure Boats and loved it. The boat was plush, pretty and electric with only a handful of other travellers accompanying us. A Dutch cheese, wine and beer tasting rounded it all off nicely. For something more intimate and romantic, book a private evening cruise.
After our cruise, we simply headed back to the Waldorf Astoria to be wowed by chef Sidney Schutte at the two Michelin-star Spectrum. Sidney is certainly one of the best chefs in town and cooks with finesse and flair, giving the odd surprising twist to a local ingredient – such as crispy tulip bulbs, or a white asparagus dessert.
Now, if you have it in you, put on your dancing shoes and head for one of the famed Amsterdam nightclubs. Not that my friend and I had it in us!
To make the most of your visit, start early at the RijksmuseumFabrique des Lumières
Wear your most comfortable shoes – today is the day for exploring the three major museums located at Museumplein. I don’t suggest trying to squeeze in all three though. You’ll just feel rushed and that’s hardly swish. To make the most of your visit, start early at the Rijksmuseum, aiming to arrive around 9:15 am to avoid the initial rush when it opens at 9am. Don’t miss the carefully curated Asian collection in the museum’s basement, before taking a welcome lunch break.
Head for De Pijp, the very trendy district with foodie cafes galore that is a ten-minute meander away. Not yet had the obligatory stroopwafel (syrup waffle)? Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels makes stroopwafels big enough to serve as lunch.
The bakery is located in the Albert Cuyp Markt, Europe’s largest street market replete with colourful stalls and ‘gezellige’ vendors. If peaceful is your preference, you can’t go wrong with Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s gorgeous city park. Have a picnic by the pond or snack at the Groot Melkhuis, a waterside café since 1874.
Choose another museum on Museumplein – we went for Stedelijk Museum for a good dose of contemporary art and design. Alternatively, head back towards the centre through the Spiegelkwartier arts and antiques district to enjoy one of Amsterdam’s greatest delights, a walk through the Grachtengordel district; the concentric rings of grand canals laid out in the 17th century are here.
The best view? The point where Prinsengracht and Reguliersgracht meet. Zigzag your way towards the Negen Straatjes to shop in the alleys of hip and quirky shops that criss-cross the main canals.
We just loved Oriole for dinner. A true haven of calm in the bustling city centre. Book ahead for a spot on the terracea real secret garden feel. Dishes are a contemporary take on Mediterranean flavours while the ‘Oriole Express’ set menu, with different options for each course, showcases the cuisine and produce of a given country every month.
A fitting last supper in the always exciting, cosmopolitan Amsterdam.
By TESS DE KLERK
Brighton Marina restaurants have been a real hit-andmiss through the years, more often missing everything but franchise eateries. On occasion, independent restaurants have opened on the seafront but they never seemed to last - a real pity since the marina is a pleasant location with what’s becoming rarer than hens’ teeth in Brighton – easy, free parking.
Aydo opened recently, serving classic Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine plus the occasional unexpected item such as empanadas. The menu is quite extensive with choices for most people. I would say that there is a focus on meat but there are still plenty of choices for everyone. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free plus dairy-free are clearly indicated on the menu – joy!
We started with the classics - cacik (tzatziki) and baba ganoush (made with smoked aubergines and peppers) served with fl atbread. The baba ganoush was unexpectedly yogurty. A second look at the menu though and I could see that it was indicated and some chefs simply prefer the dish with yogurt, making it mild and velvety.
For mains, I opted for the tiger prawns cooked with a garlic and parsley butter sauce, with spring onion and a hint of chilli, all served with seasonal vegetables. My dish arrived at the table sizzling hot and delicious. The chilli really was just a hint which is what I wanted but so often in the past, a hint has meant hellfi re. Next arrived my companion’s tasty main - Turkish meatballs with tomatoes and peppers, fi nished with melted cheese on top. Again it arrived sizzling hot and served with fl air by two very attentive servers.
Speaking of servers, the service at Aydo was fantastic. Nothing could be faulted there. What I appreciated even more than the good service though was the location right on the marina boardwalk. Or, more precisely I really liked how our table was inside, protected from the elements, yet the fronts of Aydo open up, giving the feeling of being outside, feeling a slight breeze and taking in the salty air. The whole inner area of the restaurant has
The service at Aydo was fantastic. Nothing could be faulted there
a contemporary lounge-like feel with plush chairs in muted blues and greens. There are hints of sparkle everywhere with twinkly lights bouncing off silver accents. Modern decor blends with traditional Turkish motifs, with the interior design carefully considered.
The bar area looked inviting too, and Aydo prides itself on a diverse menu of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Traditional Turkish raki is used in their signature cocktails, amongst the more common choices such as Pornstar Martinis. Near the bar, you’ll fi nd the open-view kitchen, with chefs earnestly working their magic.
It was lovely going to the marina and fi nding a place with such attention to detail. Aydo was clearly created from a desire to showcase Turkish cuisine and service at its best and we hope that it will stay long and prosper.
££
Opening times: Sunday – Thursday: Midday – 11.30pm. Friday – Saturday: Midday – Midnight www.aydorestaurant.co.uk
What I appreciated even more than the good service though was the location right on the marina boardwalk
Get ready for a spook-tacular time at Godstone Farm this Halloween and join us for a day of friendly frights and spellbinding fun. Master the art of broomstick flying, trick or treat the kids to a round on our Halloween mini golf course and dare them to explore our bone-chilling skeleton scavenger hunt.
Godstone Farm, Godstone
October 21st-29th
https://godstonefarm.co.uk
The Surrey Sculpture Society returns for the sixth year of Art in the Garden. Set within the 35 acres of The Savill Garden, this exhibition combines eye-catching sculpture with horticultural excellence. As you explore the Garden, you’ll encounter sculptures in varying styles, subject and materials; all inspired by the natural world and accompanied by the artist’s statement.
The Savill Garden, Englefield Green
Until October 31st
www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk
The harvest is the most significant time of the year in the vineyard and following the exceptional summer, the anticipation surrounding the 2023 harvest is palpable. The Harvest Secret Vineyard Trail is the perfect opportunity to learn about the 2023 vintage, including winery tank sample tastings. Your experience includes a tasting glass and Denbies vine to take away.
Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking
October 20th
www.denbies.co.uk
Immerse yourself in the mesmerising world of poetry as Roger McGough, one of the most beloved poets of our time, takes the stage. Known for his wit, charm, and insightful verses, McGough will enchant the audience with his unique blend of humour and profound observations.
St Margaret’s Church, Warnham
October 14th
www.eventbrite.co.uk/ e/a-celebration-of-poetry-with-roger-
The largest drag show on earth, RuPaul’s Drag Race: Werq The World, is heading to Brighton with an all-new production this autumn.
Set in a dystopian future, the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race must choose between the real world and the artificial world they have come to know.
Acclaimed for their amazing production values, this is the fifth iteration of the ground-breaking tour in the UK.
The Brighton Centre
October 22nd
www.werqtheworld.com
Arthur Gill has just become the Secretary of State for Justice. However, an inquiry is about to publish its findings about a public health disaster. As the waters grow murkier, how far will he go to hide his past and protect his future? The Inquiry is a gripping drama about the pernicious collision between politics, justice and ambition.
Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester
October 13th - November 11th
www.cft.org.uk/events/the-inquiry
The Coast is Queer is a festival of talks, books, spoken word and ideas from an LGBTQ+ perspective. It brings together an exciting lineup of nationally and internationally acclaimed queer writers, poets, performers and activists in a three-day festival of accessible, lively in-conversation events, workshops, films and discussions celebrating LGBTQ+ lives and writing.
The Attenborough Centre, University of Sussex October 12th-15th
https://coastisqueer.com
Fifty Guild makers will exhibit beautiful, hand-made crafts at the sixth show, featuring a wide range of disciplines, including work by new and more recent members. Meet the designers who are always pleased to discuss their work or to explain any specialist techniques they use.
De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill October 21st-22nd www.thesussexguild.co.uk
THE
If you are in need of a life enhancing tonic that supercharges your spirits way beyond a glass of Veuve Clicquot, then look no further than a visit to The Goodwood Revival.
It was not a weekend where I would ever have envisaged I could also get a tattoo, make a pair of my own vintage knickers, have a fairground ride and end up winking at a very handsome bearded man dressed as an SAS Desert Hero. Sadly, he left the tent before I could get his number – and I thought this was all meant to be about cars…
Th is was my fi rst Revival experience thanks to the birthday generosity of my great friend Kerry Kyriacou, who thought it was about time I was initiated into a bygone era.
For the uninitiated, the Goodwood Revival is a wonderful celebration of British motor racing in some of the most beautifully designed and engineered cars in racing history, combined with vintage aircraft, motorcycles, army jeeps and an array of memorabilia.
Nestled in the lower grounds of the glorious Goodwood Estate, with a view up to the white pavilions of the Goodwood Racecourse on the hill, the revival is so much more than just motor racing, oil and rosettes.
Starting with The Over The Road site – named as such as it is literally over the road from the main racing circuit and accessible by bridge or road. Th is can be accessed on the Thursday evening, before the circuit opens early in the Friday morning, and houses the car auctions, revival car show, fairground, exhibitors, bars and food. There is also a rather marvellous oudoor cinema seating 250 deckchairs and 1960s Chevvies that can also be booked in advance – showings of Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, Grease and The Italian Job were running throughout the weekend –something for all of the family of all ages.
We thoroughly enjoyed talking to Yorkshireman Mark Lamb, the technical lead for Twisted. The company restores, modifies and preserves classic vehicles like a Land Rover Defender or a Suzuki Jimmy, and who has now also launched Twisted Marine. It was great not to be sold to, and learn about Mark’s passion for his work and to hear more about this great British brand which is very well worth looking at www.twistedautomotive.com – he set us up well for the evening ahead.
A new discovery was a visit to the absolutely stunningly Sebring Works custom-built 100% electro retroinspired sports cars (defi nitely one to put on your Christmas list should anyone ask) www.sebring-works.com.
Whilst Kerry was busy buying miniature cars
So many very beautiful cars – it really was heaven
(your secret’s out, my friend), I had a gander around some vintage clothing stalls, marvelling at the array, quality and smell of the outfits, which took me right back to my grandmother’s wardrobe. Put it this way, if you have not got yourself organised with an outfit for the weekend, you won’t be short of options the night before the big opening.
Friday dawned and off we hopped on the bus from Chichester Station to the Revival. It was clear we had a very hot day ahead or us and my 1940s parasol was a blessing. Whilst I was expecting a lot of very smartly dressed folk in 1930s, 40s and 50s and even 60s outfits, it was all so much more than that. There was a real breadth of outfits for comfort, style as well as practicality.
The fashions ranged from land girl dungarees, to boiler suits, complete military outfits to a lot of men rocking some very cheeky Peaky Blinders shirts, braces and fl at caps. Given the heat of the weekend, I think that they probably had the best idea. It was also rather lovely to see so many people looking like they had all really enjoyed getting dressed up.
There was a new look Revive and Th rive Village on the main site with pop up boutiques, repair workshops, talks including how to make your own pair of vintage knickers, to a talk on making vintage fashion work for all body shapes, through to a really rather marvellous fashion show in the afternoon for the ‘Best Dressed People’ at the event.
But I guess I should really let you know what I thought
of the cars. So many very beautiful cars - it really was heaven. It is hard to know where to even start, so I will stick with the Fordwater Trophy – a 45-minute two –driver race for 2.0 litre, short wheel base Porsche 901s and 911s built before 1966.
My money was on No.65 with Jensen Button, but sadly he let me down but it was surely one of the most unbelievably exciting races I have ever witnessed – I did have to close my eyes and remember to breathe as all of that engineering beauty hurtled towards and navigated the chicane at speed. I loved it !
The Goodwood Revival is an annual event, and next year’s show takes place on the weekend of September 6th-8th 2024.
www.goodwood.com/motorsport/goodwood-revival
The Goodwood Revival is a wonderful celebration of British motor racing in some of the most beautifully designed and engineered cars in racing history
