Inspiring Women - 28 February 2008 - THE SPEAKERS

Rita Clifton
Chairman, Interbrand

In 1997 Rita Clifton joined Interbrand, the world’s leading brand consultancy, as Chief Executive in London; in January 2002 she became Chairman.  She is in demand as a speaker and media commentator on all areas of brands, reputation, marketing and communications around the world.  Her writing has included the book ‘The Future of Brands’, and The Economist book ‘Brands and Branding’.

She is a non-executive director of DSG International plc (formerly Dixons Store Group plc), and Emap plc.  She also chairs Populus, the opinion pollster to The Times.  She has been a member of the Government’s Sustainable Development Commission, is a trustee of WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature) and is on the Business Advisory Board for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.  In 2006, she was appointed Visiting Professor at Henley Management College.

Last, but certainly not least, Rita has two teenage daughters.



Eugenie Harvey
Co-founder, We Are What We Do



Eugenie has been featured in the book Everyday Legends and she is often asked – by journalists, teachers and business leaders - to share her experiences about the challenges of setting up a business with a social purpose.

We Are What We Do is a brand and movement launched in September 2004 with the bestselling book Change the World for a Fiver.

The book has sold over 500,000 copies around the world and the sequel, Change the World 9 to 5, is starting to show a real change in behaviour and attitudes in both large and small organisations.  One of the strengths of the brand is that it captures people’s imagination, making them believe that every little action can make a difference. See www.wearewhatwedo.org

We Are What We Do has also been involved in the well-publicised collaboration with designer Anya Hindmarch to produce the ‘I’m not a plastic bag’ re-useable shopping bags.

When David Robinson – the founder of the East End charity Community Links - came to Eugenie's PR company to talk about his vision: small actions x lots of people = BIG change, Eugenie was so inspired that she immediately left her job and began working on We Are What We Do.

Kresse Wesling
Director of EAKO, Babaloo and Bio-Supplies

In 2002, Kresse founded Bio-Supplies, an environmental packaging alternatives company. Two years later, she started Babaloo, a company that produces a host of ethical and environmental products for parents and babies.

And, earlier this year Kresse launched her third business, EAKO, which turns industrial waste into innovative lifestyle products and returns 50% of profits to the charities and organisations related to the waste.  See www.fire-hose.co.uk   

Kresse also won the Entrepreneurial Woman of the Future award at the Real Business awards in November 2007.

The bestselling "Change the World for a Fiver" from We Are What We Do