Award-winning HR Director, CEO and women’s mentor, Wendy Dean is celebrating the success of her inaugural personal development event ‘Why Women Don’t Play Golf’.

At the recent immersive two-day retreat held at luxury venue Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, female business leaders from across the country joined together to embark on a transformative journey.

Enthusiastic attendees participated in interactive and engaging workshops, gained practical knowledge and skills to enable them to succeed in business, and were inspired by guest speakers including a style consultant and voice coach. Time to unwind and indulge was built into the packed schedule, with spa sessions and a Charlotte Tilbury beauty masterclass, allowing attendees time to relax in between the workshops.

Throughout the first day, individuals focused on their own personal brand, how it’s communicated and what that means for their future; the sessions included managing personal development, establishing values and beliefs, and understanding the difference between a fixed and growth mindset.

The following day, the event placed an important emphasis on helping females in business to discover their style, passion and build their confidence to take those next steps. They had the invaluable opportunity to explore modes of operating at work, participated in a topical discussion around the current reality of women in business, and discovered how to become an inspirational leader and effective communicator.

In leading the WWDPG personal development retreat, Wendy was joined by Helen Bailey, Head of Learning and Development at Strategi Solutions and an award-winning L&D specialist with over 20 years’ experience across a variety of sectors.

Qualified style Consultant Gail Morgan also shared her expertise, alongside Janie Van Hool, author, actor, speaker, facilitator and teacher in the art of brilliant communication.

Wendy Dean commented: “I was blown away by the enthusiasm, courage and talent of each and every one of the women involved in our first personal development event, and humbled by the honesty.

When launching the programme, we set out to ensure that female leaders would finish the retreat feeling relaxed and empowered, focused on their future and released from self-limiting beliefs, and from the hugely positive feedback we have received so far, I am confident that we have achieved that.

Through dedicating valuable time to come together, to working on ourselves as individuals away from our businesses, Why Women Don’t Play Golf has enabled female leaders to successfully challenge societal norms, enhance their unique qualities and conquer their aspirations.”

Reflecting on the event, Sasha McCaskie, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Lead, PepsiCo said: ‘I have been lucky enough to attend the WWDPG retreat and found the whole experience incredibly inspirational.

For me, it’s rare to take that time to focus on how I can evolve and how I can develop more skills to be a better leader, and to also know myself better; we have looked at our values, the way that we style ourselves and how we can be more effective in our communication so personally, it has been invaluable. I have been surrounded by other females who are inspirational in what they do and how they show up every day.

I would strongly recommend this retreat to anyone who is at a place in their life where they feel lost or are not entirely sure what their ‘why’ is, and how they can be better.”

Abigail Manwaring, L&D Business Partner, Maguire Training added: “I’m definitely going to take back the confidence to my workplace and personal life to be able to approach certain conversations, and to hold my own views with the support of my peers around me and likeminded women. I would definitely recommend WWDPG to anyone that not only wants to not only feel more confident and empowered, but also to facilitate better conversations personally and professionally.”

Following the success of the inaugural event, Strategi Solutions is preparing to host a second Why Women Don’t Play Golf retreat on the 4th and 5th September 202.

Wendy is Founder and CEO of business consultancy Strategi Solutions, a qualified coach and has led the HR function for some of the world’s most renowned organisations. She has also been involved in the creation and support of numerous charities and foundations, mostly focused on education, supporting her local community and the celebration of women in business.

She is a director of the Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards and the Foundation for Education Development.

With over 30 years’ experience making her mark in industries that were traditionally male-dominated, Wendy launched WWDPG to help aspirational females in business to break through the glass ceiling.

The programme is based on Wendy’s experience as a female business leader who didn’t attend corporate golf days because of her own self-limiting beliefs; Wendy now speaks widely on the topic, sharing insight into how she overcame these challenges in the workplace, and how she now works to help others break down these boundaries placed on their careers.