TMA NOW – Connect & Elevate

On 22 March, TMA NOW launched its new programme of events outside London. NOW Connect & Elevate is a new initiative focussed on introducing our NextGen to experienced female professionals in the industry to start building meaningful and long-lasting relationships in an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring forum. The aims are to:

• provide our NextGen with a facilitated platform to engage with more senior women to support and elevate all of our careers; and
• foster and embed allyship throughout our NextGen.

Our first event was hosted and sponsored by Burges Salmon LLP in Bristol with support from the TMA NextGen Bristol committee and the R3 South West and Wales Ladies Committee.

Emily Scaife, a Partner at Burges Salmon LLP, introduced the event by asking the audience some Slido questions:

1. How does business development/networking make you feel?
2. What do you think is/was your biggest barrier to career progression?
3. What is your USP?

We displayed everyone’s (anonymous) answers on the screen and we used these answers as a useful reference point throughout the event.

Emily then had a conversation with Louise Durkan, Partner, Special Situations M&A at Deloitte LLP, which focussed on her career journey, her mentors and allies, her brand, her approach to winning work, how she manages work life balance and her market predictions for the rest of 2023. Louise was open and frank and the audience engaged by asking additional questions.

After Emily’s inspiring and thought-provoking conversation with Louise, the audience participated in 3 breakout discussion groups that each lasted for 15 minutes. Each group had at least one more senior woman to help facilitate discussion, if needed, and the following conversation starters were provided:

1. Your personal and corporate brand – how are you building your personal brand and how does it fit with your corporate brand?
2. Work-winning – how can we help each other?
3. How do you find the right balance between life and work?

Following the breakout discussion groups everyone was encouraged to stay on for some additional networking over drinks and canapés. There was a real buzz in the room as people continued their conversations. Everyone was encouraged to follow up with their new contacts after the event in order to build on the connections and start to develop some long-lasting relationships.