NatWest Bank’s familiar face Nicola Damelio, and her colleague Deborah Lewis, pulled together 100 of the top women in the region for a celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, in partnership with SEMLEP and OXLEP.
Over the last few years, the local NatWest team in Milton Keynes have celebrated International Women’s day by bringing together an incredible community of women to meet, network and share their experiences.
The inspiring women have included entrepreneurs, leaders and other wonderful people who have shared their journey in a candid and engaging manner.
This year, the team felt it was only right to capture the magic, inspiration and resilience shown by women right across the region whose stories will resonate in every household, every business and every community.
Among them were some local faces with links to key Love Bedford businesses including the volunteer Chair of the Board and The Harpur Centre Manager, Samantha Laycock.
The sudden impact of COVID-19 meant continuous changes were required at The Harpur Centre to support businesses and keep the community safe.
Samantha ensured that the team’s and customer’s safety was paramount and worked tirelessly throughout the past year to support businesses, stakeholders and the wider community.
Samantha Chose to Challenge by also continuing to volunteer as Love Bedford’s Chair to help support 550 businesses through their sectors’ unprecedented changes.
Born and bred in Bedford, Samantha Laycock has proved herself once again to be a true spokeswoman for local businesses and people.
Samantha Laycock, Centre Manager at Harpur Centre, commented: “As the Centre Manager at The Harpur Centre I have been very lucky to meet so many wonderful people across Bedford, which inspired me to volunteer as Chair of Bedford BID.
“My goal has always been to ensure that our local businesses are supported as much as humanly possible. This past year, we have met unprecedented challenges, but it has remained vital to ensure that Bedford continues to be a vibrant town that supports both national and independent businesses.”
She continued: “Having been born and bred in Bedford, the town will always be close to my heart. Bedford is my home, which is why my passion to ensure the town and our business thrive is so strong. It has been a difficult year to say the least, however, the way in which we have all come together is astonishing.
“I am so proud to have been included in Nat West, Milton Keynes, 100 Inspiring women and am hugely grateful for the recognition. However, it is the people and businesses of Bedford that I am most proud of and I look forward to more of our businesses opening their doors in a safe manner again soon.”
