Fay Sharpe, founder of mentorship programme Fast Forward 15, has been named in the 2022 Queen’s New Year Honours List.
Sharpe was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for her commitment to female mentorship, demonstrated by the successful programme.
The Fast Forward 15 mentorship initiative began in 2015, but Sharpe told Conference News that the idea came to her much earlier.
She explained: “10 years ago I was stood in a room at an events awards and I noted that around 80% of the winners were men when our industry is 75% female. So, I challenged the organiser and decided I needed to do something about it. That’s where the idea of creating a free programme to help women set goals and achieve their work and personal aspirations came from.
“I came up with a brand name, built a website, reached out to industry colleagues, clients and peers, and put it out there. Before I knew it, I had 200 applications.”
Commenting on her OBE award, she said: “What an honour. This is not just for me, it’s for women and our industry.”
Considering her work over the last 10 years, Sharpe believes it has resonated with everyone across the events industry. This collaborative approach has resulted in “positive action and change in the areas of equality and diversity.”
“We are also starting to see women become more and more confident,” she added.
Sharpe concluded: “What you put into your work life and leisure is what you get out. If you put 110% in, you’re going to see success. If I can do it, then you can too and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
