Coffee Republic founder Sahar Hashemi OBE has been named as the keynote speaker at next month’s Wiltshire and Swindon Women in Business Conference.
Sahar Hashemi is one of UK’s most inspirational female entrepreneurs and a powerful speaker on innovation and the entrepreneurial mindset. 
Hosted by The Enterprise Network (TEN), the conference is timed to celebrate International Women’s Day 2016 on March 8.
The event, which takes place at Bowood Hotel and Spa, near Calne, will showcase entrepreneurial talent across Swindon and Wiltshire with a full day of conference, workshops and exhibition time.
It returns for a second year following the success of the 2015 event which brought women business owners together from across the region to network with other like-minded business people.
Sahar Hashemi, pictured, will share her captivating personal stories on co-founding the UK’s first coffee chain, Coffee Republic, which she and her brother grew to a £30m turnover before exiting in 2001.
She then launched guilt-free confectionery brand Skinny Candy, which she sold to Glisten in 2007. She has also written a number of business publications, inspiring business owners across the country.
The Enterprise Network development officer Jol Rose said: “We are also delighted that Sahar will be joining us to speak at the upcoming conference. Her story is one of ambition and true entrepreneurial spirit that will inspire and motivate all who attend.
The aim of the day is to create a collaborative environment, that will not only help businesses build lasting connections, but also provide great advice that can help their longer term business goals.”
TEN nurtures new and growing small and micro businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire, supporting them from the first ‘light bulb’ moment. It also offers flexible office space, meeting rooms and networking areas for start-up, micro and small businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire.
Conference tickets are £20 per person and are available from the TEN website http://www.theenterprisenetwork.co.uk.
For more information email Jolyon.Rose@wiltshire.gov.uk.
