President's Celebration

As you arrive at The Renaissance at Kelham Hall, guests will enter through the library and enjoy networking with fellow guests over welcome drinks in the Gilbert Scott rooms. Guests will then be called through to the Great Hall where you will hear from our inspirational guest speaker Dr. Jo Salter MBE, Britain’s first female fighter-jet pilot and voted one of the BBC’s 50 most inspiring women in the world. Rejected twice by the RAF, as women weren’t allowed to fly, Jo was instrumental in changing the test policies for allowing new recruits into the air force - creating a stronger and more modern RAF as the first female leader of an all-male squadron. Jo was also personally asked by Tom Cruise to the UK premiere of Top Gun Maverick, as she was an inspiration to the film. Sadly, the budget couldn’t stretch to Tom Cruise.
After leaving the RAF, Dr Jo transitioned her career into the role of Global Transformational Leadership Lead and Director of people and organisation at PWC, overseeing 240,000 people in 157 territories. Therefore, her knowledge will be both relevant and transferable for you, your business and your teams.

A delicious three-course meal, which includes sharing platter starters, family style mains and a relaxed networking dessert, will be served.
Guests will hear from the East Midlands Chamber President, Dawn Whitemore, plus, we will also announce the finalists for the East Midlands Chamber Business Awards 2025/26. The awards evening themselves will be held in February & March 2026. Check out the Business Awards pages on how to enter and where each award night will be held.

Dress code for the President's Celebration will be Relaxed Professional, but we do politely request guests refrain from wearing denim.

PLEASE NOTE – There will be 12 people seated to a table for this event.

On behalf of East Midlands Chamber President Dawn Whitemore, we can’t wait to welcome you along to what will be a great evening.