Leeds University Business School is celebrating International Women’s Day 2012 with alumna, along with some of Britain’s most successful businesswomen.

The proportion of directors in FTSE 100 companies that are women has reached 15 percent, a figure that has increased due to recent government initiatives and support. However, at the foundation of economic prosperity is entrepreneurial drive and ambition, and with unemployment at its highest point for almost two decades a “do it yourself” approach seems to be increasingly appealing.

"I am delighted to be a keynote speaker at this important event. It's been a long road, but at last the world is waking up to the fact that women have a very special role to play in business. There's a great line-up of speakers, each a real success story."

Dawn will be giving valuable advice to budding entrepreneurs.

For more information, visit the Business School website.