Theme: Unity

This year, we are bringing together speakers, performers, and attendees from Teesside and around the world to explore the theme of "Unity".

From the moment you walk through the doors, you will be immersed in a ‘glocal’ atmosphere that celebrates collaboration, community, and connection. You'll feel the energy of like-minded individuals who share a passion for innovation, creativity, and personal growth.

Middlesbrough Town Hall
Albert Road
Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, TS1 2QJ
United Kingdom

Chloe Laws

Writer, Journalist, Poet

Chloe Laws is a writer, journalist, and poet whose work focuses on gender equality, beauty, politics, and culture. Her writing has appeared in GLAMOUR, Grazia, Stylist, CN Traveller, Allure, National Geographic, Vogue, Vanity Fair, The Independent, The i, Cosmo, Vice, Dazed, Refinery29, and more. She has also written cover stories for Stylist and GLAMOUR. In 2017, Chloe founded FGRLS CLUB, a feminist community that fosters nuanced discussions and education on issues affecting women. This platform has become a crucial space for women to share their stories, gain insights, and find solidarity. Chloe's thought-provoking articles and essays have earned her a reputation as a leading voice in contemporary feminist discourse. Her ability to blend personal experience with broader social commentary makes her work both relatable and deeply influential.

Liz Atkin

Author & Brand Strategist

Liz is co-director of brand strategy and copywriting agency Blonde Creative, a best-selling author and winner of the 2023 Redcar and Cleveland Inspiring Women in Business Awards. Born and bred in Teesside, Liz has spent her career using the power of words to positively influence people and inspire action. Her background in business, culture change and communication has given her a rich, personal insight into the power of creating real human connections in every aspect of life. Liz believes that friendships are one of the most natural human connections we make as we go through life, and are increasingly essential for our wellbeing when we live in such a divided and complex world.

Ruby Dhal

Content creator, Performer, Author

Ruby Dhal is a content creator, performer, and bestselling self-published author of 5 books of micro poetry, prose and bitesize self-help, with a social media following of over half a million. She had a tough start in life and turned to books as a form of escapism, gaining a Master’s in Philosophy from King’s College London and eventually using her pain to inspire her writing. In 2017 Ruby was only 1 of 7 South Asian Women in the world to be included in the Harper’s Bazaar Writer Hotlist and the following year she was included in Untwine.Me’s list of ‘100 Incredible Instapoets’. Ruby currently creates content on mental health, love, heartbreak, grief, loss, moving on, self-love and healing journeys via various social media platforms, with her work garnering millions of impressions each week. Her work has been loved and appreciated all around the world, including by celebrities such as Rochelle and Marvin Humes, Paris Hilton, Grammy-nominated singer Candice Pillay, and Khloe Kardashian.

Sharon Sinclair-Williams

Digital Sustainability Trainer & Tech Biz Female Founder

Sharon is working to create awareness for a greener internet and a more sustainable future for us all. She is making a splash by training businesses and organisations how to ‘Decarbonise’ their Digital Assets and Processes and reduce their digital Scope 3 emissions using the Carbon Literacy framework. Alongside this, Sharon is the OG blogger aka Best Before End Date writing midlife musings and opinions on Substack to a global audience, using her voice to advocate for positive ageing. She also writes the Shout Louder For Good newsletter as her CSR give back project. She created it to raise awareness on a breadth of social and wellness issues including the profile of loving where she lives - Teesside and the wider North East. In Sharon's very own words, she is a serial life time procrastinator, side tracked by a challenging menopause & very late ADHD journey. Older & Bolder at 61. Her mantra is ‘Definitely Not Past My Expiry Date.’

Sophia Ufy Ukor

Founder & Storyteller

Sophia Ufy Ukor is the founder of Violet Simon, a media company that amplifies women's voices through storytelling, fostering inclusion and representation, equitable equality and a safe space where women's voices are heard. She has a 15-year entrepreneurial journey and a background in English, Law, Fashion and PR, and professionally qualified as a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Through her work and collaborations recognised by global platforms like BBC, UN Women UK, Global Citizen, We Are The City, Forbes among others, Sophia pioneers safe and inclusive spaces for women. Her collaborations bridge gaps, amplify women’s voices and drive positive change. Her impactful work has garnered awards and accolades for excellence in media and has seen her recognised in Power lists as one of the influential changemakers and inclusion champions making a significant impact across the UK.

Tamma Carel

Environmental Consultant

Tamma Carel (PIEMA, FIIRSM, MSc, BSc) is a Senior Environmental Consultant specialising in Sustainability, Environmental Management & Legislation. She is the founder of Imvelo Ltd. and co-founder of iCOR Systems. She is also an Associate Lecturer at Northumbria University, delivering sessions on Sustainability, whilst simultaneously completing a part-time Executive MBA at Newcastle University. She is an active advocate for addressing the gender gap and promoting the role of women in STEM through multiple partnerships. With most of her clients coming from the Manufacturing, Construction, Renewables, and Waste Industries, she is one woman on a mission to help the environment and use her position to demonstrate that women can be powerful agents of change. She has an unrelenting drive to protect the planet and deliver verifiable compliance and demonstrable progress for organisations to help meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.