About Modern Women
Modern Woman exists to empower, influence, and support women in business and the workplace.
One woman alone has power. Women together have impact.
BE FEARLESS
What is Modern Woman?
Introducing Modern Woman, the ultimate platform for empowerment. Founded by Rosie Coxshaw, it represents a cross-section of powerful mid-senior women from diverse industries, united by a shared vision of success. Our mission? To support, inform, and inspire women in business and the workplace to ensure no woman ever feels alone.
At Modern Woman, we believe knowledge is power. That's why we offer a wide array of resources designed to propel your career forward. Through our engaging in person and virtual meetups, podcasts, masterclasses and live events you'll gain invaluable insights from trailblazers and industry experts.
We understand every woman's career journey is unique. We wholeheartedly understand the challenges we face in the workplace, spinning lots of plates and still turning up to be our best selves.
We are also committed to the power of connections. Connecting you with accomplished mentors who will guide you every step of the way. Tap into their wisdom, experience success stories, and unleash your full potential.
Be Fearless, empowerment starts here. Join Modern Woman today and be part of our thriving community of strong, ambitious, and successful women. Together, we will shatter glass ceilings and defy expectations.
How we began
A note from the founder, Rosie Coxshaw
“Welcome to Modern Woman. Whether you’re an established entrepreneur, a mid-career employee, or a business owner looking to level up, we’re here to educate, motivate, and support you.
I started my first business aged 16, armed with just my GCSEs. After running an array of companies – some successful ventures, and others that failed along the way – I saw a real lack of platforms to support a woman like me, navigating the world of work by herself.
In my early career, I had no resources to guide me. Everything was trial and error. While that journey was (and continues to be) incredibly exciting, downright challenging and a lot of hard work, I know that if I had better tools and advice available to me, I would have saved on mistakes and money, and excelled much quicker.
This is what inspired me to launch Modern Woman in 2018. It’s my passion to help women throughout their career, through our community of like-minded individuals representing diverse industries and backgrounds.
I hope we can help you achieve your career goals, by inspiring confidence and providing the toolkits you need. We’re on this journey together.
With love,
Rosie
We are very proud to present the Modern Woman Advisory Board, comprised of seasoned professionals from across multiple industries.
Dr Heather Melville OBE
Senior Managing Director at Teneo
Heather has a career spanning over 40 years in financial services. Heather is a thought leader of business, an innovator with a notable track record of building high performing diverse teams. Heather has acted in an advisory capacity to FTSE CEO's across a multitude of industries and sectors. Heather is a sought after public speaker and has addressed senates, royalty and global audiences worldwide. Heather is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC) and the CFO's Diversity Forum for Business in the Community (FTSE100). Heather has worked in partnership with HRH the Duchess of Edinburgh as part of her role as the Chair CMI Women. Heather also assisted Queen Maximus of the Netherlands with advisory for her women in entrepreneurship programme. Heather received her OBE for services to business in 2017 and has recently been appointed as the black chancellor of the University of York. Heather is also the Patron of Women in Banking and Finance. Heather also supports a number of charities and not for profits in an advisory capacity, and currently sits on the board of Enterprise Enfield.
Dr Carol Massay
Head of Construction at The Access Group
Carol has worked in the construction industry for over 30 years, and the last 20 in construction technology. She has first-hand experience working within some of the UK's largest contractors, from house building to civil engineering, and her mission is to continue to promote the construction sector as a great place to expand your career and provide world-class technology to attract skills from other walks of life to the sector. She was recognised as Construction Businesswoman of the year by Great British Woman Awards in 2021. She is an ambassador for Women in Construction, represents and supports several Networking Groups, including Diversified Development Global, regularly speaks on LinkedIn and Club House, and was shortlisted last year for an award recognising the work she does to promote diversity and inclusion.
Ronnie Herel
DJ / Producer / Composer
Ronnie Herel is a world-renowned DJ, Radio Presenter, Producer and an influential figure in the music industry. He is a UK household name with his drive time daily radio show and the Big RnB Show on Mi-Soul radio. He is, without doubt, one of the most consistent and outstanding club and festival DJs the UK has produced. His love of all things Soul and House sees him regularly playing at some of the best venues in London. He regularly performs at the legendary Pikes in Ibiza, Spain and all over the world including, Croatia, Taiwan, New York, and Atlanta to name a few. He was BBC Radio 1Xtra’s first DJ signing and interviewed some music greats including, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce and Janet Jackson. Today Ronnie is Head of Music at Mi Soul Radio and Co- Founder of Funky Dory.
Vanessa Brady OBE
CEO and Founder of British & International Design – SBID
Vanessa is an international multi-award winning Interior Designer, Business Consultant and Founder of the Society of British and International Design.Vanessa has amassed an award winning portfolio including projects such as Hard Rock Cafe, the Design Council, Kabaret Club, British Luxury Club, Unilever, high security government offices, His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei, King of Saudi Arabia, Head of State Palaces, the private residence of numerous diplomats and VIPs. In 2014 she began a collaboration with Sunseeker International on the new Predator II yacht.She is an inspirational speaker and spokesperson for Interior Design and an awards judge to her peers within the design profession across a variety of disciplines. Vanessa has been acknowledged for a number of high level Awards; Woman in the City ‘Woman of Achievement Award for the Built Environment’
Josh Ayres
Chair of the Modern Woman Advisory Board
Josh Ayres in the Chair of the Modern Woman Advisory Board. Josh spent thirty-five years as a Global Sales & Marketing Leader specialising in launching new technology companies within Europe Middle East & Africa. His success was predicated on building internationally diverse teams and creating an environment of collaboration and shared vision. This experience is now being used to help guide the Modern Woman business and the Advisory Board through a period of unprecedented growth. Josh holds a Master of Science Degree from the University of Hertfordshire and lives in Southern Spain with his wife Louise,
Ian Lyons
Managing Director at Vertical Evolution
Ian is a seasoned executive with a proven track record in guiding businesses to new levels of commercial success through strategic advisory and commercial leadership skills. With a career spanning over 20 years, He consistently demonstrated a commitment to delivering outstanding results for various size businesses as a founder, commercial director or board advisor. As co-founder and developer of a National market leading online legal services company; Ian developed and implemented a million pound plus; industry disruptive sales and marketing strategy. He has mentored and advised 0000's of successful new business start ups from multiple sectors. Implemented the sales strategy for a now successful; regional Accountancy Practice. Founded and developed a niche Debt Management Company from start up to profitable trading company. Re-designed and implemented the business plan to re-establish a key Social Enterprise for a large National Charity.
Dr David Hancock
Construction Director int he Cabinet Office & Chartered Engineer
Dr David Hancock is a chartered engineer and the Construction Director in the Cabinet Office. He leads the Government Construction Community and sits on a variety of across government boards including; Construction Playbook, Cladding remediation, New Prisons Programme, Buckingham Palace refurbishment, British Antarctic Survey and is the non-executive chair of CIRIA Renowned internationally as a leading author and practitioner in the field of behavioural and programme risk. He has worked across public, private and voluntary sectors and was the risk director for the Terminal 5 Project, Heathrow.
