We wouldn’t miss the chance to proudly celebrate our incredible team on International Women’s Day!
For this year’s International Women’s Day 2025, Quinn’s Training Services took the opportunity to reflect on the significance of celebrating the day by engaging with all our staff, both men and women, through fun interviews.
We asked everyone to share their thoughts and answered some light-hearted questions, sparking meaningful conversations. As part of our commitment to #AccelerateAction, each team member also chose an IWD pledge, standing united to pledge in one voice to be the strongest in the world. As a female-led company, with the majority of our staff, including senior leaders, being women, this was a powerful way to acknowledge our role in promoting equality and empowerment. To keep the energy high, we enjoyed a fun IWD word search, a female-led playlist in the background, and, of course, our adorable female puppy mascot spreading positive vibes throughout the office. During our staff meeting, we took time to explore the history of International Women’s Day and discussed practical ways we can each contribute personally to advancing the cause.
Heather Pippin
CEO & Founder
I’m Heather and I am the CEO here at Quinns, the business started over 10 years ago with just myself working part time and has since grown to be the lovely vibrant place it is to work today. We are a very female positive workforce with women in senior roles throughout the business and each and every one of them smashing it! International women’s day is important for me as a female leader as I think there is still a lot to do in promoting equality and equity in the workplace and I can do my own small part in that. I will be spending International Woman’s Day with my close female friends raising a glass to the strong women we know.
The best thing about being a woman is that we build each other up and support each other through the tough times.
There are so many woman I admire who are in traditionally male dominated roles Chefs, Construction, Engineers, Pilots and so on it is nearly impossible to narrow it down. But I would love to recommend the book ‘An Officer, Not a Gentleman’ by Mandy Hickson given to me by another inspirational woman in my company.
”We are a very female positive workforce with women in senior roles throughout the business and each and every one of them smashing it!”
– Heather Pippin
Charlotte Evans
Head of Sales & Marketing
In my role at Quinn’s Training Services, I oversee all marketing efforts and drive sales for the company. I’ve been with QTS since the end of 2023, and now work on a consultancy basis. What I truly love about QTS is that it’s a strong, female-led company that offers ample opportunities to succeed, learn, and grow, all of which are highly supported by our CEO and Director, Heather Pippin. I am incredibly proud of the work I’ve done at QTS over the past year, as we’ve introduced numerous new systems, tools, and ways of working to improve the company. These changes have been possible because of the empowering leadership of our CEO, Heather.
QTS is the most positive workplace I’ve ever experienced, and I believe much of that energy comes from the incredible women who make up our team. Each of them cares deeply for one another, always willing to lend a hand, offer support, or brighten each other’s day with a smile. For me, International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate all the amazing things women do, both professionally and personally, and to highlight just how extraordinary it is to be a woman. The world would undoubtedly be a much darker place without women – we bring light, energy, and a unique spirit that can’t be fully captured in words. This day is vital, not only to applaud the achievements of women who have accomplished incredible things but also to remind young girls that there is space for them to thrive and pursue their dreams. I want them to know that anything is possible.
The best thing about being a woman is not just ‘the prerogative to have fun‘ even though Cyndi Lauper said that’s ‘all they really want‘ but because I feel ‘I’m every woman, it’s all in me‘. In addition, Beyoncé confirming that, ‘girls do run the world‘ could be the best thing too… Some of my favourite female role models are Gillian Anderson and Miriam Margolyes, as both are unapologetically authentic and unafraid to discuss topics that others might deem ‘inappropriate’ for women. In my mind, there’s no such thing! We need more Gills and Myriams in the world. I also believe men have an important role to play in supporting women. A key starting point is understanding the challenges, hardships, biological struggles, and emotional hurdles that women face daily – it’s a sign of respect. ‘All I’m askin’ is for a little respect‘. Aretha Franklin spelled it out for us in the 60’s: ‘R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me‘. Once you truly understand what someone is going through, everything else becomes easier.
‘‘We bring light, energy, and a unique spirit that can’t be fully captured in words”
– Charlotte Evans
Steph Cleveland
Training Administrator & IQA Officer
I love working in a predominantly Female office run by a strong Female CEO, being in a female environment empowers me to be my best and be myself! Having open conversations with other women makes you realise that whatever you’re going through you’re not alone, whether that’s some friendly advice, a funny story or a shoulder to cry on, I can almost guarantee I’ll feel better after talking to my female friends in the office.
Working at Quinns I feel encouraged to do my best and empowered watching my female colleagues strive in a predominantly Male industry.
International women’s day should be celebrated by all and a chance to talk about why woman are so important, being a mother to an 8 year old boy I try to teach and encourage him to treat woman with respect and that woman are not to be underestimated (we’re not just here to pick up dirty pants!)
Being a woman to me means power and strength, lifting each other up and standing together, Complementing each other and celebrating our achievements and in the words of Shania Twain herself – “The best thing about being’ a woman, is the prerogative to have a little fun!”
”The best thing about being’ a woman, is the prerogative to have a little fun!”
– Stephanie Cleveland
Megan Pippin
Account Manager
I’m an Account Manager at Quinns and my role involves booking and arranging training courses. I’ve been at the business for 2 years and love every minute of being a part of my incredible Step-Mum’s business, I will forever be proud and amazed by everything she has accomplished.
My highest achievement at QTS is being on our exhibition stand representing the company in London and Manchester but I could not have gotten there without the incredible support and guidance from Charl (I learnt from the best). When I started the business I was quiet and shy but with the friendliness and support of Steph and Anna I have flourished (and now I don’t shut up, sorry girls you’ve created a monster). Thank you for listening to my rants, being my therapists and the best friends anyone could ask for.
I think it’s important to celebrate International Women’s day to highlight women’s’ achievements no matter how big or small and to show everyone that they are always supported. I don’t have a specific role model but I look up to all the women surrounding me and helping me to be my best.
Dee
Accounts Manager
I’m Deidré, known to everyone as Dee and on the 24th March I will be with Quinns for 4 years! I work in accounts and what I love about my role is the flexibility it gives me as a parent yet still allowing me to work part-time. Being the only one in accounts is not as lonely as it seems. We are a friendly team of mostly females at Quinns and we are all there to lend a hand if anyone needs support or advice. We all love a good chat too when time allows.
IWD has different meanings for so many women, but for me it’s a day of recognition of “Woman from all backgrounds around the world”. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, then later living and raising our children in Ireland, and now living in Wales has allowed me the opportunity to adjust and adapt to different cultures. I have met and made friends with woman from other countries like Morocco, Mauritius, Italy, Ireland and of course, Wales. Not all girls or woman around the world has the freedom to get an education, work, drive a car, go to restaurants, travel the world or even meet a friend for coffee, so on Saturday, 8th March, I will be meeting my friend, Nadia to celebrate our friendship, our freedom and our love for our families!
Being a woman and mother to my kids, especially my daughter allows me to love, guide and support her as she enters her teen years (wish me luck) but it also allows me to be there to share her ups and downs, her victories, her moments when she strums her electric guitar and becomes my “rock chick” and her own “woman”, empowered by her friendships and confidence she has built over the last few years.
My female role model was a strong woman, who would travel 10000 miles to help me navigate motherhood and who would go the extra mile to help others. She was an amazing seamstress, my personal wedding dressmaker who I called Mom, and my kids called Ma. She will always be loved and fondly remembered, my late Mother, Charlotte Edith Knight.
Anna Falvey-James
IQA Coordinator and Quality and Information Manager
I work as the Quality Manager here at Quinn’s and have worked here (in various roles!) for just over 5 years.
I love working with such a fantastic group of ladies who are always on hand to give help, advice and support both in and outside of work. Work is always such a positive and happy place because of my brilliant colleagues.
International Women’s Day makes me think of all the female role models I have in my life- from my grandmas, my mum and aunties to friends, colleagues and my amazing stepdaughters- and how grateful I am to know them. It also reminds me how important it is to celebrate this day. To remember everything previous generations have worked for and to protect the rights and wellbeing of future generations.
Digit
QTS female Puppy Mascot
Quinns Training Services is a dog friendly office to help encourage positive mental health and peace while at work. Our delegates who train with us at QTS enjoy saying hello to the furry friends! Digit is definitely an advocate for this and enjoyed joining the girls in celebrating being female!
The Men of QTS
We couldn’t conduct interviews with the company without getting the perspective of the men in the office on International Women’s Day and their experience working alongside such an incredible group of women:
Steve Russell
ITTCO
The Quinn’s team is truly exceptional, and it’s a privilege to work alongside such a fantastic group of people. My role model is my amazing wife, Viv. She faced cancer and other health challenges head-on and came out even stronger on the other side. She’s my rock, and the incredible women at QTS are right there with her in terms of strength and resilience.
Mike Pratt
QTS trainer
I would like to support international women’s day by stating that I work with an amazing team of women who apart from being my friends are very supportive. I would not be able to do my job effectively and efficiently without their support. As a trainer at the face of the company I rely on the work that is done in the background. It is always a pleasure to come into the office as there is always a smile and a welcome.
With special thanks to all the QTS team who participated in International Women’s Day – you truly are a wonderful team.
