Ladies First Event at St Mary’s Guildhall: Inspiring Connections and Professional Growth
On 4 February 2026, I attended my first Ladies First networking event at St Mary’s Guildhall in Coventry, West Midlands. It hailed to be a dynamic gathering that brings together women from across industries to network, learn, and support each other’s professional growth.
“Ladies First is a membership-based professional development network that I am now proud to be a member of. It operates on three core principles: Inspire, Inform, and Introduce. ”
The organisation provides opportunities for women at all career stages, whether running a business like myself, growing within an organisation, or considering a career change. Through monthly events, business skills workshops, and national initiatives such as the Ladies First Business and Inspirational Women Awards, it fosters learning, connection, and recognition across the UK.
At the St Mary’s Guildhall event, the programme featured keynote speeches from social media and marketing expert Bianca Rodrigues-Perry and PR guru Amanda Chalmers, who shared insights about their own organisations and experiences as women leading businesses and initiatives. Their talks highlighted the challenges and opportunities of professional growth and the importance of building supportive networks. These are the brand core values that Ladies First embodies.
The event also provided ample opportunities for networking and discussion, with attendees exchanging experiences, ideas, and inspiration in a welcoming and inclusive environment. What struck me most was the sense of shared purpose: conversations ranged from business growth strategies to personal resilience and confidence building, all underpinned by mutual support.
Attending this event reinforced for me the impact of community in professional development. In a space where women can freely share challenges, achievements, and advice, the ripple effect extends far beyond a single event — supporting careers, businesses, and professional networks across the UK.
Ladies First continues to be a valuable forum for women seeking inspiration, information, and introductions that make a tangible difference. I look forward to attending future events and continuing the connections I made on 4 February 2026.
