A group of inspiring professionals from across Warwickshire will be in the spotlight in more ways than one during an event at an iconic local landmark ahead of International Women's Day.

For one night only, on 4 March, Warwick Castle will be lit up with IWD colours in honour of the special evening organised by Ladies First Professional Development Network Group.

The event, which celebrates female resilience, will feature a line-up of speakers all sharing their personal stories, insights and journeys to success, offering motivation, empowerment and inspiration.

And companies are being invited to sponsor tickets for those who would otherwise be unable to attend.

Ladies First Director Tracey McAtamney said: "We are seeking support to ensure this event is accessible to women who would otherwise be unable to attend. This includes women facing financial hardship and schoolgirls who would benefit from exposure to positive role models and empowering messages at a formative stage in their lives.

"We are inviting companies to sponsor a ticket or tickets to enable these women to attend. In recognition of your support, all sponsoring companies will be acknowledged on the night, featured in our event brochure and promoted across our social media platforms.

"Your support will help provide guidance, inspiration and hope to women who need it most."

She added: "My focus has always been to create a supportive community that offers mentorship through both the good times and the challenging ones.

"Over the years, I am proud to say that we have worked alongside many charities, raising funds, helping to shine a light on the incredible work they do and amplifying their impact.

"On a personal level, this journey has introduced me to some truly remarkable people – many of whom I now call friends. It has reinforced my belief that choosing your 'tribe' and your business network carefully is essential, not only for professional success but for personal growth and resilience."

The occasion is also raising funds for Leamington-based organisation The Esther Project – a gender-specific initiative dedicated to supporting women experiencing domestic abuse, recovering from addiction, transitioning from prison or facing homelessness, incorporating Esther House - a seven-bed supported living accommodation. 

Founder Lianne Kirkman said: "We are so grateful to Ladies First for choosing to support The Esther Project through this International Women's Day celebration. When women stand together, transformation happens. 

"Ladies First's support through this event will fuel our work to give the women we work with, the safety, stability and empowerment they deserve. We're proud to walk alongside such a dedicated community of inspirational women."

The evening is being hosted by TV presenter and producer Arti Halai and the speakers are: broadcast journalist Suzanne Virdee; Chief Superintendent of The West Midlands Kim Madill; Sarah Hosking MBE; former MP Colleen Fletcher OBE and Elinor Perry, MD of Pentlands Accountants & Advisors.

On her retirement from the NHS in 2000, Sarah Hosking, from Clifford Chambers, founded The Hosking Houses Trust which gives residencies to older women writers and others who need a period of protected time for personal work. Since 2002, she has hosted 200 creative women free for between two weeks and two months and is herself an author of four non-fiction books.

She has a master's degree in renaissance history from Birmingham University, became an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2023, was awarded an MBE in 2024 and won a Times/Sternberg Active Life award in 2025. 

She said: "Aged twenty, I read Virginia Woolf's 1928 polemic 'A Room of One's Own' and resolved that, on day, I would make it happen by giving the idea bricks and mortar, and a credited bank account. 

"I kept this crazy ambition alive throughout a mongrel career of forty years during which I learnt the skills necessary for the undertaking. Aged sixty, I set about raising the money, achieving charitable status, assembling a team, finding a site and obtaining property. We are set for an expanding future with a recent, considerable financial endowment." 

She added: "The relevance of The Hosking Houses Trust to International Women's Day is simply that any or all organisations that seek to empower women of any age and from anywhere, help achieve its basic tenet of women's protection and promotion."

Elinor Perry is the founder of Pentlands Accountants and Advisors in Leamington, which marked its 20^th anniversary last year.

In 2005, aged 34, she did a management buyout from the existing owners of the business – eventually also going on to buy out her business partner in 2010. And last year was awarded a Ladies First Professional Development Lifetime Achievement Award.

She said: "As a Ladies First Ambassador, I'm honoured to speak at this year's International Women's Day event at Warwick Castle. It's a privilege to stand alongside so many inspiring ladies and celebrate the achievements and potential of women in our region whilst raising vital funds for The Esther Project CIC."

Arti Halai has spent 15 years in TV as a presenter, reporter and producer for BBC and ITV and over 15 years as an entrepreneur and public speaker. 

Award-winning TV news anchor and freelance journalist, Suzanne Virdee has been a passionate supporter and mentor to women starting out in journalism. And as a published author of A Girl's Guide To Being Awesome and the best-selling A Teenager's Guide To Being Fabulous, she empowers young girls with advice on navigating the difficult teenage years.

Kim Madill's experience spans over 30 years, including leading teams in Public Protection, Intelligence and Neighbourhood Policing.

In 2004 she was pivotal to the creation of West Midlands Association for Women in Policing and is currently the strategic female lead on the West Midlands Police Superintendents Association.

Ladies First Professional Development Network is a national networking group which organises events and awards for inspirational female achievers across the UK. 

Tracey McAtamney is being supported on 4 March by sponsors Alsters Kelley Solicitors, Chalmers News PR; Bia's Marketing, Production & PR and Visually Virtual Photography as well as contributions by Warwickshire Gin Company.

Tickets and further information about sponsorship are available from Tracey at: [email protected] or here.