Ayrshire Business Women (ABW) proudly celebrated its 30th anniversary with a special luncheon at Westerly Restaurant, Ayrshire College. Members, guests, and notable local figures from across the three shires gathered for a day filled with celebration, networking, and inspiration. Among the distinguished attendees were Lord-Lieutenant of Ayrshire & Arran Iona McDonald, Depute Provost of East Ayrshire Claire Leitch, Mike Newall, CEO of South Ayrshire Council, and David Hammond, Executive Director (Communities & Housing) at North Ayrshire Council.
The event’s theme, "Pearls", symbolising wisdom, growth, and transformation, was a fitting tribute to the remarkable journey of ABW since its founding in 1994. Current President Lisa Nairn warmly welcomed guests, sharing the inspiring story of ABW's formation. Two of the founding members, Edna McElroy and Janet Kleboe, were present and received a rapturous applause from the audience in recognition of their vision and leadership.
The Westerly Restaurant, located at Ayrshire College, Ayr Campus, provided a perfect setting for the celebration. The lunch, prepared and served by students from the Hospitality & Professional Cookery programme, was praised for its exceptional quality and attention to detail, showcasing the outstanding skills of the college’s future culinary stars. Additionally, the musical ambiance of the day was beautifully provided by a talented music student from Ayrshire College, whose guitar performance added a delightful touch to the occasion.
The day featured two remarkable guest speakers who left the audience captivated. Sheila Gilmore, CEO of VisitArran, spoke passionately about the work she is leading to preserve and promote sustainable life on Arran, an island close to the hearts of many in the region, while Wendy White-Finnigan, climate ambassador and founder of TheWayForward2045, shared her powerful experiences from her work to improve climate literacy and her expedition to Antarctica. Both speakers provided thought-provoking insights into their fields, leaving the audience with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the work being done to preserve the environment and promote sustainable practices.
Former ABW President Liz Cooper (2009-2016) also took to the stage, reflecting on the organisation’s evolution and the strong foundation it has built over the past three decades. Sandra McCall, CEO of Ayrshire Cancer Support, the ABW members' chosen charity partner of the year, spoke movingly about the critical work the organisation is doing to support cancer patients and their families across Ayrshire and provide crucial services not available in other regions. An impressive £1000 was raised on the day in support of Ayrshire Cancer Support, further highlighting the generosity and commitment of ABW’s members and supporters.
Lisa Nairn, President of ABW, acknowledged the celebrations, saying “We are very lucky to have such an inspiring network of passionate and dedicated businesswomen across Ayrshire, supported by a broader network of individuals who help us achieve our goals, all of whom are truly invested in creating opportunities for everyone to thrive and build a stronger economy for Ayrshire. It is my privilege to be the current President, in this remarkable anniversary year, and lead us into the next decade of supporting businesses across Ayrshire to succeed. I wish to make a special acknowledgment to the ABW Committee, all of whom are volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes to organise our events and keep our network connected. Their dedication reflects the essence of ABW – a community of women supporting each other to thrive, both professionally and personally. We look forward to an exciting future ahead.”
Looking forward, ABW remains dedicated to its mission of supporting women in business, with ambitious plans to expand its network and connect with even more businesses across Ayrshire, ensuring that more can benefit from the strength of this dynamic community. ABW aims to provide even greater support and guidance to help women thrive in their professional goals, building on its rich history of empowering women in the workplace.
As ABW enters its next chapter, it remains committed to creating meaningful connections, driving change, and offering unparalleled support for women across the region. The success of the 30th-anniversary celebration demonstrates the strength of the network, and its future promises even greater opportunities for collaboration, growth, and success.
ABW would like to express heartfelt thanks to its event sponsors, whose generous support made the day possible:
- Margarette Bryan, private sponsor
- Rowan Main, private sponsor
- MindCircles, corporate sponsor
- Teleperformance, corporate sponsor
- A Scents of Scotland, corporate sponsor
Photographs from the event are credited to Ann Cromack of iKAT Photography.