Speakers announced for Sound Women event

Newspaper journalist Eve Pollard is one of the speakers announced to appear at the first ever Sound Women Festival this Saturday.

It’s taking place at the BBC Radio Theatre at Broadcasting House in London and features audio and content directors, as well as radio presenters and business leaders.

The event, which is being held in partnership with the BBC Academy and with the support of RadioCentre, also features Stephanie ‘Steve’ Shirley, Gerry Jackson, Tony Moorey, Helen Fawkes and Miranda Sawyer.

Stephanie was a child refugee from Germany who fled on Kindertransport to the UK. She later founded a software company staffed almost entirely by women, for whom she was passionate about creating opportunities. She changed her name to ‘Steve’ in an effort to be taken more seriously in the commercial world and has since donated much of her wealth – over £67 million – to philanthropic causes.

Gerry Jackson, the founder of SW Radio Africa, broadcasts on shortwave and worldwide via the internet. In 2000 Gerry challenged the Zimbabwe government’s broadcasting monopoly in the Supreme Court and won the right to set up the country’s first independent radio station. It was shut down at gunpoint after just six days. She has been reporting on Zimbabwe for over 25 years.

Getting to grips with the changing culture of radio will be the theme for a talk by Absolute Radio’s Content Director, Tony Moorey. He’ll be drawing on his experience of managing content both on air and online, as well as looking back on a career which has taken him from Piccadilly Radio in Manchester, to the BBC as a Senior Producer for Radio 5 Live, and on to his current role.

BBC journalist Helen Fawkes, whose battle with cancer has spurred her on to create a ‘List for Living’, will be discussing her focus, Making the Most of Life. Her diagnosis has made her determined to achieve as much as she can, from getting a dog to trekking in Nepal.

Observer critic Miranda Sawyer will be considering DIY creative projects; having the confidence to show initiative, getting yourself noticed and making it happen. She’ll be in discussion with Radio 1’s Gemma Cairney and James Everton from The Hits Radio, one of a series of debates taking place throughout the afternoon.

Sound Women Founder Maria Williams said: “The festival is set to be a unique opportunity to hear how other women have battled the odds, in media or business, to get where they are today. Each speaker has a unique story – but they’re all united in their creativity and determination, and we hope to inspire everyone who comes to go out and achieve their way.”

Comedy, music, poetry and a bar for chatting, mixing and mingling with some of the speakers and attendees will complete the Festival atmosphere. The event will be hosted by BBC Radio 4’s Fi Glover and Anita Anand, along with Magic FM’s Angie Greaves.

To book tickets or to find out more on how to get involved with Sound Women, go to soundwomen.co.uk