Empowering our region: Launch of North East Women in Business Network

At Atom, we’re on a mission to change things for the better, not just in banking, but in the communities we call home. That’s why we are incredibly proud to announce the launch of the North East Women in Business (NEWIB) network, a new initiative created in partnership with international consulting firm, Oliver Wyman.

From legacy to launch

We officially debuted NEWIB during Women’s History Month with a high-profile event at Bank House, Newcastle, titled: “North East Women in Business: From Legacy to Launch”.

The evening was more than just a networking opportunity, it was a celebration of the remarkable women who have shaped the North East’s past and a commitment to those defining its future. We were joined by over 50 female professionals from across the region, including representatives from Sage, Newcastle Building Society, Virgin Money, Square One Law, and Sullivan Brown.

A new model for professional growth

What makes NEWIB different? Unlike traditional individual-membership groups, NEWIB uses a community-focused model. We collaborate directly with organisations from Northumberland to Teesside to help them accelerate the careers of their female employees and drive regional prosperity.

The spark for NEWIB came from the success of our own internal Women’s Network at Atom. Since launching last year, our internal network has grown to 130 members, championing gender equality and empowering our team. We wanted to take that energy and extend it to the wider region.

Why it matters

Emma Betley, Chair of the Women’s Network at Atom bank and Co-founder of NEWIB, explains the vision:

“Our vision is to build a regional network that connects and empowers women at every stage of their career. By using the collective power of the amazing businesses we have here in the North East, we can create unique opportunities for development, retention, and inspiration.”

Join the movement

We are just getting started. If you’re a North East business looking to get involved or a professional interested in our future events, we’d love to hear from you.

• Follow the journey: Stay updated by following the official North East Women in Business LinkedIn page.
• Get in touch: North East businesses are encouraged to reach out to express interest in joining the network community and attending future events.

Together, we can bridge the gap in cross-organisational networking and build a more prosperous, inclusive future for the North East.