International Women's Day: Meet the business trailblazers from across Cambridge and Suffolk

To mark International Women’s Day, Velvet shines a light on the local women blazing trails in the world of business

The all-female team at FM Family Law
FM Family Law is an all-female firm of lawyers. “As we mark International Women’s Day, we are immensely proud to celebrate our all female workforce,” say the team.
“Our Cambridge office consists of six females: Fiona McLeman, Managing Partner and Founder; Christina Hale, Partner and Head of the Cambridge office; Carla Morphett, Associate Solicitor; Caitlin Levins, Solicitor; Yazmine Lane, Solicitor; and our Paralegal Jenny Humphrey.
“Our lawyers share a common goal to provide an empathetic, strong, and knowledgeable voice for women (and men) in their most vulnerable moments. We know that family law is deeply personal, and we treat every case with the respect, care, and understanding it deserves. We recognize the vulnerabilities and the strength and resilience of women, especially those navigating the complexities of family law.
“We take great pride in our commitment to supporting our lawyers’ careers in law, creating a space where we can work happily, be supported and succeed in our career pathways and where ‘work/life balance’ isn’t just a buzzword.”
FM Family Law is an award-winning boutique family law firm with offices across East Anglia specialising in all areas of divorce, family law as well as mediation.
T: 01223 229933
W: fmfamilylaw.co.uk

Sarah Fenton: Founder and Managing Director, SMART Bookkeeping and Accounts
Says Sarah: “Back in 2015, I started SMART Bookkeeping and Accounts as a way of bringing in some much-needed additional income whilst our children were small - our youngest was just 3. To get the business off the ground, I studied with the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers whilst working in a well-known supermarket café to make ends meet; I was juggling three young children, studying and working full time. I went on to gain my practice licence in 2015.
“SMART very quickly grew organically - within two years I had an office and my first employee. In 2020, we had the opportunity to move to a larger office space to accommodate our growing business and five team members, which, when you think of it, was a crazy idea being in the thick of a global pandemic. But it paid off and we have now been in Great Barton five years.
“Never in a million years would I have thought I’d be a Managing Director of a well-established business of 10 years’ standing. Business can be so tough, but that’s why I chose this profession; we help businesses regain control of their finances. We become their Outsourced Finance Department, managing everything from their day-to-day transactions, taxes and everything in-between. There is nothing SMART won’t do for our clients: we have also been known to organise flowers for wedding anniversaries! One thing is for sure, I love what we do at SMART and it does not feel like 10 years.”
W: smartbookkeepingandaccounts.co.uk
T: 01284 761181
E: info@smartbookkeepingandaccounts.co.uk

Sarah Bush MARLA, MNAEA: Director, Head of Residential Division at Cheffins
Says Sarah: “As the Head of Residential and the first female board member at Cheffins - one of East Anglia’s leading professional services and auctioneering businesses, which is celebrating its 200-year anniversary this year - I have worked hard to get to where I am in my career. I started in the property industry 35 years ago, with one of my first roles being at January’s in Cambridge at 18 years old, where, two years later, I was promoted to Manager of the Royston branch.
“I have always had a passion for property, and I specialised in sales for the first 15 years of my career. As my interest in the lettings market grew, I moved to Accent Property Management in 2007, to concentrate on Lettings. Nine years later, I joined Cheffins as Head of Lettings, where I was then asked to join the board in 2019, before promoting to the Head of Residential in 2024.
“I am passionate about women in business and look to inspire my female colleagues. At Cheffins, we are keen to promote diversity and equality within the workplace and are taking steps to increase the number of women at high level, client-facing roles, whilst working hard to close the gender pay gap. There is still much to be done to encourage women in business, particularly within the property industry, and as a sector, we need to pull together to help adjust the balance.”
T: 01223 271980
E: sarah.bush@cheffins.co.uk

Clair Bryant (CMktr): Founder and Managing Director, The Handy Marketing Company
Clair is widely regarded as one of the leading marketing consultants in East Anglia. With a graphic and website design background, Clair’s unique approach combines creativity with strategic marketing, making her a go-to consultant for businesses in the Region. Clair’s expertise has led her to work with Government and council-led initiatives, supporting small businesses through impactful marketing strategies.
Her no-nonsense, straight-talking approach is in high demand, with many brands seeking guidance on everything from social media to marketing strategy. In 2025, Clair is set to launch a series of workshops to support small businesses and marketers requiring mentoring, helping them develop their skills and marketing acumen.
As AI revolutionises the marketing landscape, Clair is becoming a recognised expert in leveraging AI tools to enhance marketing efforts. Her continued success showcases her unwavering commitment to empowering businesses and making marketing more accessible and effective.
T: 01638 467714
E: hello@thehandymarketingcompany.com
W: thehandymarketingcompany.com

Sue Keogh: Founder, Sookio Communications Consultancy
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a recognised specialist in digital content, Sue has worked closely with institutions including the BBC, ITV, Government Digital Service and the University of Cambridge, and led Sookio as a highly successful digital marketing agency for 16 years.
Host of the Communication Untangled podcast, Fellow of the RSA, Enterprise Nation adviser and National Business Women’s Awards judge, Sue regularly shares insights on marketing, communications and entrepreneurship with the likes of BBC Radio 5, Digital Leaders, Small Business Charter and Innovate UK.
Through her Skillshare courses, webinars and workshops, she has given thousands of people new skills in digital marketing, and she is particularly proud of the five-year work experience programme she launched which has helped more than 150 young people kickstart their careers in marketing and communications.
She now focuses on audits, strategy and consultancy to support senior leadership teams in solving critical communications challenges now, and in the future.
W: sookio.com
LI: linkedin.com/in/suekeogh/

Rebecca Bird: Centre Manager The Buttermarket, Ipswich
As Centre Manager of The Buttermarket in Ipswich, Rebecca Bird isn’t just managing a shopping centre - she’s redefining its future. Since stepping into the role two and a half years ago, she has been a driving force behind its transformation, championing sustainability, community engagement, and innovation as The Buttermarket evolves from a traditional retail hub into a thriving leisure destination.
Her passion for ethical business practices has already made a tangible impact. Under her leadership, The Buttermarket earned the prestigious Green World Award for its cutting-edge waste management strategy. Her influence in sustainability didn’t stop there - she was a finalist in the ESG Property Awards, reinforcing her status as a leader in environmentally responsible business.
But Rebecca’s vision extends far beyond green initiatives. Recognising the power of collaboration, she launched The Buttermarket Beneficiaries, an initiative designed to forge lasting partnerships with local charities and organisations. By bringing together key stakeholders, she’s creating a network of support that uplifts the wider Ipswich community.
Her outstanding leadership hasn’t gone unnoticed. Rebecca was named Manager of the Year at the esteemed Sceptre Awards, a recognition of her dedication, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver real results. And now, as a newly appointed board member of Ipswich Central, she’s set to play an even bigger role in shaping the town’s future. Rebecca Bird is more than a manager — she’s a visionary leader, proving that business can be a force for good.
T: 01473 281580
E: enquiries@buttermarketipswich.co.uk
W: buttermarketipswich.com

Deborah Hargreaves: Chief Operating Officer and Head of Dispute Resolution, Edmondson Hall Solicitors
As Chief Operating Officer and Head of Dispute Resolution at Edmondson Hall Solicitors, Deborah Hargreaves is a prime example of a female leader excelling in business. With more than two decades of experience, she has built an outstanding career in litigation, guiding her team through complex and often mentally challenging cases.
Deborah joined Edmondson Hall as a newly qualified solicitor, drawn to the firm’s niche expertise in equine and bloodstock law. Her dedication, skill, and unwavering work ethic have seen her rise through the ranks, earning respect as both a legal expert and a business leader. Throughout her career, she has handled high-stakes disputes, bringing a strategic and tenacious approach to every case.
Now, as COO, Deborah’s role extends beyond litigation — she oversees the management and growth of the firm, ensuring its continued success. Balancing a demanding career with raising three young children, she sets a strong example of determination and ambition for them, proving that hard work and perseverance open doors. As a female leader in the legal sector, she is passionate about fostering talent and supporting the next generation of professionals. Her journey is a testament to resilience, expertise, and leadership, making her a fitting figure to celebrate this International Women’s Day.
T: 01638 560556
E: solicitors@edmondsonhall.com
W: edmondsonhall.com

Whitney Jackson: Founder, Whitney JVA Virtual Assistant
Launching her business when her daughter was just two months old, wanting more freedom to work around her, Whitney Jackson came from a B2B background. “I had worked in B2B sales for a long time and my most recent role had been Corporate Sales Manager for a well-known food brand,” she explains, “so I was involved with marketing and budget decisions for my sector. I knew that I had the experience to apply my knowledge to other businesses.
“In the last few years, sales has had to become a lot more intelligent, meaning you need to be qualifying leads properly before reaching out and targeting leads with a personalised approach. There are also a lot of platforms out there that can help you with creating sales funnels, totally different from years gone by! In my experience, time, confidence and knowing how to effectively qualify leads is something business owners struggle with. I help businesses with lead generation, booking calls, prospecting, writing proposals, pricing strategy and using social media for sales.
“I originally set up as a virtual assistant, but I am now planning to become more of a sales and marketing agency as it feels like the right progression. I am taking on more clients as of April 2025.”
E: whitney@whitneyjva.co.uk
T: 07508 821103

Sarah Craske: Owner, F45 Training Cambridge Station and Outtrain, Knapwell
“I am the owner of F45 Training in central Cambridge, which offers functional training classes and has a strong emphasis on community,” says Sarah Craske. “We offer a number of additional events and collaborations which helps extend our fitness network in Cambridge and beyond.
“Alongside F45, I have a gym in Knapwell called Outtrain, which also offers events and fitness competitions and run clubs (under the umbrella of Outrunners). Outtrain is part of The Yard in Knapwell, where we have also hosted fun events with local chef Ben Sulston and launched The Hatch coffee house.
“Everything I do is with the intention of offering as much as possible to our community in a fun and inclusive way that is accessible to as many people as possible. I am always open to trying something new and developing different ideas; fitness, coffee and food seems to naturally all work well together.”
W: f45training.com/uk/studio/cambridgestation/
T: 01223 455179