News

Debra Veal guest speaker at Durham University’s Enterprise Lecture

(15 April 2004)

Debra Veal MBE is this year’s guest speaker at the Annual Enterprise Lecture of the Women Into the Network (WIN) initiative based at the University of Durham. Debra is best known for rowing solo across the Atlantic in 3½ months, when her husband, an international oarsman, left the boat after developing an uncontrollable fear of the ocean. The Lecture is scheduled to take place at the Town Hall in Durham on Wednesday 21 April.

Owner of an internet-based art company, TV presenter and author, Debra Veal was also the first British woman to complete the gruelling Yukon River Quest, one of the longest canoe races in the world. Debra’s TV career so far includes presenting on BBC Grandstand and the DIY programme Big Strong Boys on BBC daytime TV. At 28, Debra is the youngest person to deliver the Enterprise Lecture.

The lecture, sponsored by Business Link County Durham and ONE NorthEast, has become a prestigious annual event attracting an audience of about 250 guests drawn from all sectors of commerce, industry and academia. Previous speakers have included Helen Alexander, Chief Executive of the Economist Group, PR guru Lynne Franks and Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop.

WIN is a networking initiative based at the University’s Business School. It runs a number of activities to raise awareness, promote business development, share best practice and encourage and inspire women entrepreneurs in the region. Activities and projects include start up and business development guides, an online service, research into provision of business support for women and workshops and events. Since its inception four years ago, WIN has helped facilitate the creation of over 500 jobs in women owned businesses.

Media Opportunity

You are invited to attend the Enterprise Lecture at the Town Hall in Durham on Wednesday 21 April at 5.30pm with interview opportunities with Debra Veal and Dinah Bennett, Programme Director of WIN at 4.30pm. Please contact Dionne Hamil in Public Relations if you would like to attend.

For further information, please contact Dionne Hamil, Public Relations on 0191 334 6078.