On Thursday 23rd October 2025, business professionals gathered at the Green Dragon Hotel in Hereford for the latest Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Business Forum, supported by You Do Better, sponsored by mfg Solicitors and in collaboration with the emergency services sector. Running from 09.30 to 11.30am, the event welcomed both Chamber members…
By Ruby Edwards2 min read
On Thursday 23rd October 2025, business professionals gathered at the Green Dragon Hotel in Hereford for the latest Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Business Forum, supported by You Do Better, sponsored by mfg Solicitors and in collaboration with the emergency services sector.
Running from 09.30 to 11.30am, the event welcomed both Chamber members and non-members, offering an engaging morning of networking, professional development and inspiring talks.
A forum for connection
The Women’s Business Forum is recognised as a valuable platform for collaboration, empowerment and knowledge sharing. This October event provided opportunities to build new professional connections and a workshop encouraged both personal and business goal setting.
Delegates were hosted in the historic Green Dragon Hotel, a 16th-century Coaching Inn in the heart of Hereford, offering a fitting backdrop for a morning of open discussion and professional insight.
Women in emergency services, guest speakers
This session built on the annual International Women’s Day articles curated by Ruby, which spotlight the achievements of Women in Emergency Services. Past contributors were invited to share their experiences directly with attendees, offering a unique opportunity to hear their stories first-hand.
You can read previous International Women’s Day features here:
- International Women’s Day 2023: Embracing equity
- International Women’s Day 2024: Inspiring inclusion
- International Women’s Day 2025: Accelerating action
Speakers at the Forum included:
- Jo Hardwick, Tactical Incident Commander, West Midlands Ambulance Service
Topic: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” - Michelle Hicks, Station Commander, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire & Rescue Service
Topic: “Breaking Barriers and Changing Stereotypes” - Elizabeth Warner, DCI, West Mercia Police
Topic: “Finding Me Again, Older, Wiser, Louder, Bolder”
Their talks reflected the challenges and opportunities faced by women working in high-pressure environments, highlighting resilience, adaptability and the importance of breaking stereotypes.
As attendee Gemma Botts, OCM, noted: “It was fascinating to hear first-hand experiences from women working in such demanding professions. The talks were thought-provoking and highlighted the importance of stepping outside of comfort zones, both personally and professionally.”
The October Forum once again demonstrated the importance of giving professional women a space to connect, share and inspire. Ruby said: “It was a real privilege to bring together such genuinely inspiring women. Their stories were a powerful reminder to challenge perceptions and support one another to break down barriers.”
The Women’s Business Forum remains a key date in the Chamber calendar, bringing together professionals from across the region and underlining the strength of collaboration. Book the next event here.
As seen online at the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.
