Founder of ladies networking group returns to source of inspiration at Blackburn College

By Blackburn College

06 Apr 2022

unique-ladies.jpg

The founder of a ladies-only networking group has returned to Blackburn College, which was a source of inspiration for her to set up the group. 

Suzy Orr returned to Blackburn College’s University Centre to host a ‘Unique Ladies’ networking event. 

The Blackburn Unique Ladies networking group has just moved to Blackburn College and is welcoming new members to join. 

Former Blackburn College student Suzy said that her time at the College had inspired her and given her the grounding to set up the networking group, which has meetings at eight different locations across the North West. 

Suzy said: “I came to study at Blackburn College to be a hotel receptionist. The course gave me a really good grounding for life, covering a whole range of different skills and was a source of inspiration for Unique Ladies.  

“One of the things that the course taught me was the importance of having a meet and greet, and how it’s essential to make people feel welcome – that's something that I’ve taken onboard for Unique Ladies. 

“To be back here with Unique Ladies is fantastic, it’s as though I have come full circle. I’d have never imagined that I would be here helping other women nearly 44 years later. 

“I set up Unique Ladies seven years ago after working for 30 years in the IT and Telecoms industry which was heavily male dominated. The idea was to create something for women specifically for women where women didn’t feel pressured to act in a certain way or to wear a suit to fit in with male counterparts. 

“The first networking events were held in Skelmersdale and we had 45 women attend, this made me realise that there was a need to have female only networking events and I opened groups in Bolton, in Salford, Preston and Liverpool. I soon realised I didn’t have time to run all the sessions, so I decided to franchise it.” 

Unique Ladies will be working with Blackburn College to create a new network for female students where they will provide tips on how to be successful in business, teach them the importance of relationship building and collaboration, amongst other things. 

Suzy added: “I really wanted to give something back and help young women who might be just starting out in their careers. The group will give students a head start when it comes to networking before they embark on their careers.” 

Caroline Bracewell, Blackburn College assistant principal (higher education), said: “It was great to welcome the Unique Ladies to Blackburn University Centre and we look forward to them returning for their monthly meetings.  

“We are excited to work with them to launch a network for our female students as we feel this will enhance their skills and help develop their confidence in networking.” 

To find out more about Unique Ladies go to Unique Ladies Networking - Business Networking across the North West or email [email protected]  

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin