On the 4th January, some young female shareholders and a number of female employees from all over The Billington Group came together to attend a Young Female Shareholder lunch. This provided a unique opportunity for these shareholders to meet some of the women at the core of the family business and gain career advice from a range of inspiring female role models. Hosted in London, the event began with a chance for informal networking between shareholders and the eight employees – this group ranged in experience from a member of the Group’s graduate scheme, Abbie, to the Group’s Commercial Development Director, Aisling. After some more formal introductions, Aisling gave an inspirational overview of her own career path, before the group was split off into two mixed shareholder/employee groups to engage in some more focused question and answer sessions. These smaller assemblies provided an invaluable chance to hear more detailed experiences of women in a variety of roles as well as touch upon their experiences of gender in the working world more generally. The sessions were followed by lunch, allowing the conversations between shareholders and employees to continue. Feedback from both shareholders and employees alike confirmed that the event was a great success, providing an invaluable insight in to the company’s focus on employment diversity as well as first hand exposure to the multiple routes available within the family business. We look forward to holding similar events in the future, inspiring our younger shareholders to continue to get involved in the business.