NEDworking: February networking event for Chairs and NEDs

Holly Addison, Will Sealy 21 Jan 2025

Leathwaite’s Board Practice hosts regular events to bring together Chairs and NEDs from multiple industry sectors to share their learnings and journeys. The Next event will be on Thursday 6th February 2025.

Whether you are an established NED or a senior executive looking to build your portfolio, join us for an informal and inspiring evening of networking and knowledge sharing.

Guest speakers:

  • Andrew Woosey: NED, Senior Advisor and Trustee
  • Fiona Dawson CBE: Chair, SID, NED and Trustee
  • Kerensa Jennings: Chair, NED, Strategic Adviser and Executive Coach
  • Paul Lester CBE: Chair, NED

If you are interested in joining us please email: [email protected].

Please note, these events are strictly invite only.

 

Guest speakers

Andrew Woosey

Andrew spent his career in financial services, firstly in the banking space with both EY and ABN Amro, and the last 6 years running the Commodities Markets team in EY. 

In 2018 he decided to retire from EY to pursue a desire to go plural. Andrew is now a director and committee chair of two UK based banks, AIB Group (UK) and UTB. Alongside these roles he acts as a senior advisor for three non-financial services portfolio companies of Bain Capital Private Equity across Europe. He is the Chairman of a Cambridge based charity, Tom’s Trust, that provides psychological support for children with brain tumours and their families. Lastly he is also a trustee of the Centre for Economic Policy Research. 

Fiona Dawson

Fiona Dawson is an experienced NED and Chair.  She currently sits on the Boards of LEGO A/S, Marks and Spencer PLC, Reckitt PLC and Kerry Group PLC, and Chairs the Kerry Group Sustainability and Marks and Spencer Remuneration Committee, as well as being Chair elect of the Reckitt Remuneration committee. 

Fiona worked for family-owned Mars, Incorporated for over thirty years, and retired in July 2021 to focus on her Board Portfolio.  During her career, she held a wide range of leadership roles including European Marketing Vice President of Global Retail and Mars Chocolate UK. Her last role was as  Global President for Mars Foods’ portfolio of household brands, the various Multi-Segment markets in Mars, Incorporated, and the Global Customers, sitting on the Mars, Incorporated Leadership team.  Mars, Incorporated has global annual revenues of more than US$40 billion.  

Previously Fiona has been President of the IGD, Vice President of the UK’s Food and Drink Federation (FDF), served on the Economic Development Advisory Group to the U.K’s Department for International Development (DfID) and an expert member of the Independent review into Labour shortages in the Food Industry (DEFRA).  She has recently finished her term as Chair of the Women’s Business Council, and currently sits on a number of advisory Boards including The Social Mobility Foundation and she Chairs the Chartered Management Institute.  

Fiona holds a degree in Business and Economics from Trinity College, Dublin and has received many awards over the years including a CBE for services to Women and the Economy, and a Lifetime achievement award for Women in Business.

Kerensa Jennings

CEO of Inglenook Global Ltd. Awarded by Computer Weekly among the most influential tech leaders in the UK, Kerensa has supported and been part of executive board decision making at some of the most important institutions in our country, including BBC, BT and the Royal Household.

As a non executive director and adviser currently serving on the boards at a utilities company; one of our national museums; and a global limited liability partnership in real estate, Kerensa has developed a range of strategic tools and frameworks to assist business leaders drive impactful outcomes for society and for the bottom line. Kerensa is also a bestselling author and accredited executive coach.

Former CEO of a Royal social enterprise based at Buckingham Palace, Kerensa previously ran large scale transformation programmes at the BBC. She advises businesses and charities on digital transformation, Al, storytelling, growth & ESG.

Paul Lester

Paul Lester is Chairman of the Private Equity backed companies McCarthy Stone (retirement developments), Funeral Partners Limited (funeral services) and Telent (communications).Paul recently concluded his 9 year tenure as Chairman of the FTSE 250 manufacturing company Essentra Plc in October 2024. He has been a member of the UK Government Major Projects Review Group since 2005. Previously from 2002 to 2010 he was Chief Executive of VT Group plc, the support services company. Paul also held the position of Group Managing Director for Balfour Beatty plc. from 1997 to 2002, and was Chief Executive of Graseby plc from 1990 to 1997 following senior management positions at Schlumberger and the Dowty Group plc.

Paul was Non-Executive Director of Invensys, the FTSE 100 company and has also been Chairman of a number of public and PE backed businesses. He has also previously served as President of the Society of Maritime Industries, the BSA and Make UK (EEF).
He is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws. Paul became a Freeman of the City of London in 2006 and was awarded a CBE in 2007 for his services to Engineering. Paul is a lifetime West Bromwich Albion Supporter.

Holly addision

Holly Addison

Holly co-leads our global product, sales and marketing practice and also our Board, CEO and general management practice. Specialising in CEO and C-level talent that drives growth, with a focus on digital transformation, leadership succession and value creation, Holly is best…

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Will Sealy

Will joined Leathwaite following his former role as an analyst in a boutique strategy consultancy. He is now a key member of Leathwaite’s Technology & Digital practice, leading research across a breadth of sectors with a strong focus on consumer,…

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