Women in Business Hull names Karen Newton as new chair

‘PROUD’: New Women in Business chair Karen Newton

By Simon Bristow

A Hull-based women’s business group has appointed a new chair.

Karen Newton has taken the post at Women in Business Hull, succeeding Natalie Houfe.

The position normally lasts for a 12 months, but Natalie held it for three years to steer the organisation through the Covid pandemic.

Karen is the former operations director for Spire Healthcare and now supports small businesses in regulatory compliance and margin management. A long-standing member of the networking organisation, she says she is proud to take on the role at this pivotal time. 

“The last few years have been challenging for Women in Business,” she said. “During the pandemic, we shifted our systems, processes and events online so that we could continue our support for our members.  Then thankfully last year, we were able to restart in-person events and committee meetings – and it has had a really positive effect on our membership numbers.”

Women in Business supports and encourages inspiring decision-making women in Hull, East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire and now has almost 100 members.

Karen said: “Change was needed but along with change always comes a degree of turbulence. 2023 is a year to reap the benefits of change and to concentrate on providing great training and wellbeing events as well as providing an opportunity for informal networking – and just having fun!

“I am looking forward to my year as chair of this incredible organisation and I am proud to be supported by an amazing committee and our members who I am looking forward to seeing throughout the year.

“Look out for news about upcoming events on our website and social media channels. You can find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. We will be announcing dates much further in advance so that you can save the dates in your diary. We will also be giving you more information about our special charity luncheon in November.”

More information about Women in Business, a not-for-profit organisation, is available on its website.