International Women’s Day: Northern Women changing the world with Simone Roche MBE

In this special episode to mark International Women’s Day, we talk to Simone Roche, founder and CEO of Northern Power Women and host of the We Are Power podcast.

Simone is known for her work in championing diversity inclusion,  and gender equality, especially in the realm of business and leadership.

Northern Power Women focuses on showcasing and supporting female talent, advocating for equal opportunities and providing a platform for mentorship and mentoring.

Find out more about We Are Power. The 2025 Northern Power Women Awards take place on 6 March, and are availabel to watch online as part of International Women’s Day celebrations. 

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CREDITS:

Hosted by Robyn Spillane

Audio & Editing by Helen Williams

Production by Stef Moorhead

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Women From Newcastle: Striving for an equal future with Leyla Ferrand and Vladislava Klimyak

In this episode, we focus on the women from Newcastle who will go on to change the future. Leyla Ferrand and Vladislava Klimyak are undergraduate students at Newcastle University. We talk to them about gender equality, women in literature and empowering and supporting each other.

Leyla’s inspirational role model is Elizabeth from the book ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ by Bonnie Garmus. She recommends Mslexia, for women who write: https://mslexia.co.uk/ and the Newcastle University Ultimate Frisbee Club: https://nusu.co.uk/activities/view-club/263.

Vladislava works with the organisation ‘Girl you need to know this’, improving female health literacy at home and the workplace. : https://girlyouneedtoknowthis.com/. You can follow her Newcastle-based Instagram account @newcastle.cafe.life. Vladislava’s inspirational role model is influencer Valeria Lipovetsky who hosts the podcast ‘Not Alone’: https://www.notalonepod.com/

Women From Newcastle: Empowering women in business with Anna Jones

This episode is part of a special series to celebrate International Women’s Day.

In this episode, we talk to Newcastle University Alumna, Anna Jones. Since graduating with a degree in International Business Management Anna has had a successful career in the media industry, serving as the first female CEO at Hearst UK and most recently being appointed the first female CEO of The Telegraph Media Group.

Anna is a champion of female entrepreneurs and co-founded the women-only networking AllBright.

Women From Newcastle: Celebrating our forgotten female trailblazers with Jill Taylor-Roe

This episode is part of a special series to celebrate International Women’s Day.

In this episode, we talk to Jill Taylor Roe, Director of Academic Services and University Librarian at Newcastle University. Jill explores the lives of two incredible women who have shaped Newcastle’s past, Dr Ethel Williams and Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen. Learn about how these women have impacted Newcastle University and the North East.

Discover more about Dr Ethel Williams:

The North’s Forgotten Female Reformers: https://speccollstories.ncl.ac.uk/The-Norths-Forgotten-Female-Reformers/

Watch this short film of a suffragette demonstration in Newcastle 1909. One of the banners in the film may be the one made by Dr Ethel Williams in about 1905.

View photographs, including Ethel’s motorcar and banner at CollectionsCaptured:

https://collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/collection/p21051coll27/id/2/rec/15

https://collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/collection/p21051coll27/id/7/rec/11

Discover more about Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen:

View Sirkka’s photographs including ‘Girl on a Spacehopper’: https://www.amber-online.com/collection/byker-revisited/

Purchase a copy of Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen’s book ‘Byker’ at: https://www.waterstones.com/book/byker/sirkka-liisa-konttinen/9781911306856