All-female events industry mentoring programme, Fast Forward
15 (FF15) celebrated the achievements of mentees and mentors in a drinks reception
at the Hilton London Metropole.
Previous mentees, current mentors and mentees-turned-mentors
turned out in force for the event, despite train strikes.
“It is fabulous to see the legacy of FF15,” said FF15
founder, Fay Sharpe. “We have an incredible community and this alumni event was organised by previous mentees. It was incredible to see the progress made by previous programme participants and
personally, it wonderful to be able to thank some of the many supporters we have."
Awards for FF15 stars went to:
- Charli Briggs Eventure, former mentee
- Gabby Austen Browne, former mentee and incoming
mentor
- Vicky Owens, mentor and supporter
- Felicia Asiedu, supporter and former
mentor
- Jonathan Read, mentor and supporter
- Richard Bridge, mentor and supporter
- Shonali Devereaux, mentor and supporter
- Georgia Suttie – former mentee
Shonali Devereaux, Fast Forward 15 mentor, co-founder of Diverse Speaker Bureau
and associate at Conference Emcees, won the Fast Forward 15 Star of 2022 award.
Although she wasn’t able to make the event in person, she dialled into to receive
her award. “It is an honour and a privilege to work with Fay Sharpe OBE,
mentoring other women in the events industry. To watch someone realise their
full potential is joyful beyond measure and I am so proud to be part of this
fantastic initiative. To win an award for my contribution is simply amazing,”
she said.
Fast Forward 15 will announce its 2023/2024 mentor lineup
for season 9 of the mentoring programme in early 2023. Mentee applications will open on applications
open 27 December.
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
