With International Women’s Day last Sunday, and the increased coverage of female success stories, it struck me that my own story was also made possible by the support I’ve received from female peers.

Earlier this year I attended a celebratory event for the Female Entrepreneur’s Midlands Network, at which former Dragon’s Den panellist Jenny Campbell spoke to nearly 40 leading female business owners. Jenny Campbell said that “as a chief executive of a business, you can’t be an island” and this really stuck with me and made me appreciate this network and others that I am part of. It is because I have reached out to networks and peers, and built contacts with other women in business, that I have learnt so much and been able to achieve what I have. Events like this one also give me the inspiration and motivation to continue in spite of challenges.