AllBright, the world’s largest network for professional women, has bought learning and development organisation Everywoman in an attempt to create a new global powerhouse to help women break through the glass ceiling. The new group wants to speed up progress on the gender gap, which at the current rate will take more than 130 years to close, according to the World Economic Forum.
AllBright, founded in 2018, is now run by Viviane Paxinos, main picture above, and provides training, events and networking opportunities. Clients include British Airways, HSBC and Samsung.
“Our vision is to create a global powerhouse that enhances women’s lives,” Paxinos told The Mail on Sunday. “Together we will double down on our shared mission to create a world where every woman can thrive and reach her full potential.”
Everywoman was set up by Karen Gill and Maxine Benson 25 years ago and works with 70 corporate clients, including Amazon, Bupa, Lloyds Bank and Google, to develop female talent. It also runs the annual Entrepreneur Awards to celebrate women who have founded successful businesses.
Karen Gill said: “There has been a lot of progress since we started back in the days of dial-up modems. When we started, people would struggle to name a female entrepreneur. Our biggest achievement has been creating role models for women in business. But we don’t feel the job is done. Women still face challenges in culture and behaviour.”
The duo will remain as advisers and investors in the new business. Everywoman chair Rosaleen Blair, who founded recruitment company AMS, will also be a shareholder as will private equity firm Cain International.
