In case you missed it, the 2026 Built to Rise accelerator for high-growth, women-led businesses has officially begun.
This year’s cohort met on Monday for Workshop 1 — a session on the ‘Self’ (personal leadership strengths) facilitated by Wendy Ramshaw of Inclusivity First — and a ‘fireside chat’ with Liz Whitefield, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Hippo.
➡️ Follow The Whole Point on LinkedIn for the latest Built to Rise updates.
What is Built to Rise?
Built to Rise is a peer-led growth accelerator for women-led businesses in West Yorkshire. Applications are encouraged from organisations employing 5 or more people, with £1+ million turnover in the last 12 months.
Female leaders who have ‘been there, done that’ designed the programme to give women-led businesses the tools, connections, and confidence to grow, secure funding, and increase revenue.
Built to Rise returns in 2026 after a successful inaugural programme in 2025, with kind support from sponsors Lloyds, Mills & Reeve, and Bruntwood SciTech.
Meet the 2026 cohort
This year’s cohort includes nine brilliant female leaders:
- Viviana Baker – Managing Director, James Wilby Group
- Emma Harvey – Founder and Managing Director, Candid HR
- Jo Hollows – Head of Finance and Operations, Intuitive Business Intelligence
- Abigail Holt – Director, Holtex Limited
- Shannon Martin – CEO, Dotty Bridal
- Elly Nettleton – Co-Founder, Boost Talent
- Georgina Parkin – Managing Director and co-owner, Truth Legal
- Hazel Plummer – General Manager, 3D Productions
- Yvonne Stocks – Founder and CEO, Palm Cove Society.
The cohort will meet at Bruntwood Sci-Tech’s Platform venue and the Lloyds Corporate Hub for six in-person, deep-dive workshops and ‘lunch and learns’ across twelve weeks.
“There’s no shortage of ambitious women building serious companies in the Leeds City Region. What has been missing is the right support at the point that they’re ready to scale.” — Zandra Moore MBE, Co-Founder of The Whole Point and facilitator on Built to Rise.
Mentors, speakers, and facilitators
We’re proud to share that the following experts have signed up as programme mentors:
- Ciara Allen – Global Chief Financial Officer, Principle
- Lesley Beach – Group Managing Director, Splash About International Ltd
- Jacqui Hall – Non-Executive Board Member and Trustee at Horticap
- Vikki Jackson-Smith – Managing Director at J&B Recycling Ltd
- Dirk Mischendahl – Founder, Northern Bloc and Playful Ltd
- Sara Parker – Fractional COO and Founder, Teal Compass
- Josie Richardson – Non-Executive Director/Board Member and Founder of Accomplish Ltd
- Christine Smith – Non-Executive Director and Business Advisor
- Rachel Swann – Growth Specialist and Founder of Rachel Swann Advisory Ltd
- Karen Tyrrell – Director, That.There.T-Shirt Consulting
- Liz Whitefield – Co-Founder and Executive Director, Hippo
Facilitators include Wendy Ramshaw, Mark Roberts, Vanessa Walton, Zandra Moore MBE, and Lisa Lister.
Liz Whitefield, Aman Chahal, Sarah Pittendrigh, and Anna Sutton join as ‘lunch and learn’ guests.
Five regions. UK-wide change.
Keep up to date with the latest from The Whole Point’s five regional boards on LinkedIn and Instagram (@thewholepointuk).