Inspirational Women: Jacqueline Gold CBE

We were honoured to host Jacqueline Gold CBE as the second guest of our Inspirational Women Series for Trinity term.

Jacqueline is the chief executive of Ann Summers and Knickerbox and is renowned for managing a company run by women, for women. In 1993, as one of her first acts as chief executive, she launched the first Ann Summers store on the high street, forever changing the face of retail and now being known as the woman who brought sex to the British High Street.

With no formal business training, Jacqueline ascribes her success to understanding women, good instincts and always listening to her customer. Jacqueline is keen to support those starting out in business and runs a weekly twitter campaign called #WOW to support and promote women who have started businesses which is part of her overarching WOW: Championing Working Women initiative.

In this candid and touching conversation, Jacqueline opened up about some of the barriers she faced internally within Ann Summers and externally when expanding the business and opening stores on the high street.

Jacqueline encouraged young women to build their confidence by writing an email to themselves listing out all their achievements: "Keep adding to it. And every time you step outside your comfort zone and you have a bit of a wobble or think 'Can I do this?', read it back to yourself because you'll realise what an amazing, awesome person you are."

Catch up on the Highlight Reel: