THE HILTON in Gateshead will be playing host to two events celebrating International Women’s Day.

The Achieve conference is organised by The Entrepreneurs’ Forum on March 8 and will feature speakers such as World Rally driver Penny Mallory, entrepreneurs Judy Naake and Sara Murray, Worthenshaws founder Kristy Henshaw and pharmaceutical industry figure Fiona Cruickshank of SCM Pharma.

It is being sponsored by Gentoo Group and supported by Women Into The Network, and will run from 9am to 4.30pm.

Vice chairman of The Entrepreneurs’ Forum Lorna Moran said: “This conference is about inspiring and connecting female business leaders, encouraging them to think bigger, and providing them with all the key knowledge and experience they need to grow.”

For more information contact The Entrepreneurs’ Forum on 0191 500 7780, log onto www.entrepreneursforum.net or email info@entrepreneursforum.net

Representatives from a North East family butchers business and a women’s health organisation will also be delivering their thoughts about women in business a week later.

The 2012 International Women’s Day Networking Lunch will run from 12.30pm on March 15 and will be supported by Deloitte. This year’s speakers are Dicksons Family Pork Butchers marketing director Elena Dickson and Tyneside Women’s Health chief executive Kate Mukungu. It is in aid of the Women’s Fund at the Community Foundation.

Mukungu said: “My aim is to ensure that each guest can get a sense of how funds raised can make a difference to women’s lives. The event is also an exciting opportunity to meet women from the world of business.”

Tickets are available at an early-bird rate of £30 each or £300 for a table of 10, rising to £35 each and £350 a table, from February 16. Call 0191 222 0945 or email Katy Vanden Hehir.