Latest news with #PrettyGreen
Entrepreneur
4 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Lessons from leading a majority-female board
There's a value we live by at PrettyGreen: life is short. This isn't just a statement for the wall; it's a commitment to a different style of working, one where flexibility isn't just for parents, but for everyone. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Because early in my career, I, like many others, was taught to conform to a specific, often male-centric, model of leadership. The narrative was that to succeed, you had to be hard, to leave your emotions at the door, and to present a front of unwavering resolve. The boardroom was a place for strategy, not for vulnerability. But this approach, while once seen as a sign of strength, is now revealing itself to be a limiting model. By contrast, the leadership dynamic and board that I now sit on is one of balance. It is more rational and realistic, because it embraces a wider range of perspectives and experiences. Tough and strategic decisions still need to be made and deadlines are, of course, important, but they are made with a deeper understanding that business is more than just a transaction; it's a significant part of people's lives. It is a space where both assertiveness and empathy are valued, not as opposing forces, but as complementary skills that build a stronger whole. This is a leadership style that doesn't just focus on the bottom line, but on the cultural resonance of every decision we make. Leadership is facing a long-overdue evolution. And when you look at the numbers, from the recent FTSE Women Leaders Review, women now hold 43% of board positions and over a third of leadership roles in FTSE 350 companies, a clear sign that the upward trend in gender representation is accelerating. While a majority-female board still remains a rarity, I am fortunate to be the CEO of a business that proudly has one. This was not a deliberate move, rather a natural progression towards what I can now confidently say is a more rounded, more effective, and more human approach to leadership. And the lessons we've learned from this experience are, in my view, not just about gender diversity - they're about creating a more robust and successful business for everyone. Looking back, here are three lessons on leadership I've learnt over the years. The power of a balanced board (and perspective) The most significant lesson is that a mixed board of men and women is not just a good idea - it's a business necessity. I don't think you perform as well without one, as a truly mixed team is what builds the trust factor that creates a business' core values and culture. The more different and diverse brains and perspectives you have in the room, the better. When a board is homogenous, whether by gender, background, or life experience, there is a very real risk of 'groupthink'. Everyone sees the world through the same lens, and the solutions you generate are, by nature, limited. Our majority-female board approaches problem-solving with a wider set of lived experiences, challenging assumptions and asking questions that might not otherwise be raised. This leads to more innovative solutions for our clients and more well-rounded business outcomes. It's not just about what you say; it's about what you're capable of hearing. The importance of relationships In the past, the idea of fostering supportive relationships on a board, or sharing personal vulnerabilities, might have been seen as unprofessional. But I've learned that the best work, the most creative and courageous work, comes from a place of trust. When you build a leadership team where members feel safe being supportive, transparent, and even vulnerable with one another, a new level of trust emerges. This is the foundation for genuine collaboration and pushes everyone to bring their best ideas to the table, without fear of judgment. This has had a profound trickle-down effect on our company culture, even helping our male colleagues feel more empowered to have a personal life - to talk about family or to set boundaries without feeling they need to sneak off for something. This is the real meaning of inclusivity, and as Caitlin Moran is now brilliantly exploring in her latest work ('what about men?'), there's a huge issue we all need to address in business and wider society about how men perceive the world, deal with emotions and would mentally benefit from embracing what has been traditionally 'female' attributes. The crucial role of role models Everyone needs a role model, but too often, the image of leadership presented to aspiring talent is a narrow one. A diverse board naturally provides a wider range of role models for our entire team to look up to, both men and women. It shows employees what is possible for people of different backgrounds, experiences and genders, and by seeing a mix of leaders at the highest level, they are not only inspired but also given a belief that there is a place for them in the future of a company, and of the industry. It's critical for both attracting and retaining the best talent too. The shift in leadership roles is a significant cultural event that extends far beyond the walls of our boardroom. For instance, in a well-being survey conducted with an external consultant, we discovered that 40% of our team has been affected by suicide in some way. In response, our board made the decision to support the brilliant R;pple charity, which was founded by Alice Hendy after the death of her brother, Josh. The technology is a suicide prevention tool, which is a particular issue among young men. We have now worked formally as a partner with R;pple for three years and see this as a perfect example of how female leadership is benefiting everyone. It is about creating an environment where every individual, regardless of their background, feels a sense of togetherness and they feel psychologically safe, which is the only way to truly unlock their full potential. What I've learnt is this: balance matters. Not just in gender, but in the perspectives, and voices we bring to the table. While I'm incredibly proud of our majority-female board, we also recognise there is always room for improvement and more diversity. A board that reflects the world around it makes better decisions for the world it serves. When women and men work side by side - valuing each other's strengths, listening deeply, and challenging each other with respect, we don't just create stronger businesses, we create fairer ones.
Fashion Network
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Retro 90s raves inspire new Pretty Green x Kappa collection launch
British menswear brand Pretty Green and Italian sportswear brand Kappa have launched their first collaboration with a limited-edition capsule collection. Inspired by the 'style and spirit of the 1990s, from bold silhouettes to the rebellious attitude that defined the era', the two brands celebrated a shared history that 'brings together the UK's musical heritage and Italian sportswear legacy'. The seven-piece capsule features a hooded jacket, two retro-inspired football tops, a tracksuit (top and bottoms), bucket hat and even a co-branded football. All styles feature dual branding, pairing Kappa's Omini logo, tape arm detailing with Pretty Green's psychedelic icon, accompanied by three stars 'taking direct inspiration' from the 97-99 Manchester City football kits. Standouts include the Maine Road Hooded Jacket, taking its namesake from the football club's previous home ground. The Home Maine Road Football Top combines vintage sportswear with Pretty Green's signature paisley, decorating the top as an allover faded print, available in blue and white. Completing the look, the tracksuit pairs the Maine Road Track Top and Maine Road Track Pants, featuring both brand logos and the paisley print. The collection is available at pretty and selected retailers with clothing priced £65-£130.
Fashion Network
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Retro 90s raves inspire new Pretty Green x Kappa collection launch
British menswear brand Pretty Green and Italian sportswear brand Kappa have launched their first collaboration with a limited-edition capsule collection. Inspired by the 'style and spirit of the 1990s, from bold silhouettes to the rebellious attitude that defined the era', the two brands celebrated a shared history that 'brings together the UK's musical heritage and Italian sportswear legacy'. The seven-piece capsule features a hooded jacket, two retro-inspired football tops, a tracksuit (top and bottoms), bucket hat and even a co-branded football. All styles feature dual branding, pairing Kappa's Omini logo, tape arm detailing with Pretty Green's psychedelic icon, accompanied by three stars 'taking direct inspiration' from the 97-99 Manchester City football kits. Standouts include the Maine Road Hooded Jacket, taking its namesake from the football club's previous home ground. The Home Maine Road Football Top combines vintage sportswear with Pretty Green's signature paisley, decorating the top as an allover faded print, available in blue and white. Completing the look, the tracksuit pairs the Maine Road Track Top and Maine Road Track Pants, featuring both brand logos and the paisley print. The collection is available at pretty and selected retailers with clothing priced £65-£130.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Peppa Pig's PR guru revealed: The woman behind amazing viral sensation that saw story of cartoon porker giving birth go global
When it was announced live on Good Morning Britain yesterday that national icon Peppa Pig had welcomed a new baby sister, fans across the world could hardly contain their excitement. It was the latest step in a masterful PR campaign which has seen the loveable cartoon character and her family - Mummy, Daddy and brother George - go viral in recent months as excitement built for the big announcement. From live interviews with the family on Good Morning Britain to a gender reveal party at Battersea Power Station, the brand has kept audiences hooked and made headlines across the world. Now, MailOnline can reveal how the company behind the campaign engineered its publicity Masterclass - and the woman behind it. Peppa Pig's PR team lies in PrettyGreen, an agency with years of experience handling clients that are some of the world's largest brands - including Amazon Music, Disney and Pizza Express. Headed up by Managing Director Sarah Henderson, who has been at the firm for 14 years, staff at PrettyGreen worked hard behind the scenes to turn the cartoon into global news, reaching some 1.4 billion people around the world. Ms Henderson, who has some two decades of experience in PR, has previously handled publicity for major brands including Nando's, Nintendo, Snapchat, Three Mobile, Cadbury, Audible and, of course, Hasbro - the firm behind Peppa Pig. After joining the firm in 2011, Ms Henderson worked her way to the top of the business, becoming Group Managing Director in 2021. The brand took inspiration from celebrity pregnancy announcements that take millions by storm - such as Rihanna's recent baby bump reveal at the 2025 Met Gala - to create a moment that 'broke the internet' with a 'playful, relatable moment'. Following a similar strategy, Henderson and her team were able to harness the media and create a unique TV moment that saw a live announcement which went viral on social media - with 57 million views on GMB's TikTok post alone. It all began with an exclusive 'live' interview with Mummy Pig on GMB with showbiz correspondent Richard Arnold. Appearing from her house in 'Peppatown' Mummy Pig was about to spill her major news before being interrupted by her eldest Peppa, who excitedly told her 'mummy, mummy they're showing you on TV, come and see!' After the brief interlude, Mummy Pig was ready with her news. 'I'm excited to share that our family is getting even bigger because we're having another baby!' she told a delighted Richard, before the camera panned back to reveal her baby bump. Mummy Pig also showed off her ultrasound as she revealed she was due in the summer. It was confirmed her pregnancy would also be announced in the perfect cliffhanger - the final episode of the latest series of Peppa Pig, which aired on March 30. The news quickly went around the world, with news outlets covering the story with just as much enthusiasm as any other major pregnancy. And PrettyGreen was quick to take advantage of Peppa's renewed fame by hosting a gender reveal party at one of the UK's most iconic landmarks. The huge party was held at London's Battersea Power Station on April 25, at which Mummy and Daddy Pig dropped a curtain to unveil that they were expecting to welcome a baby girl to add to the family this summer. The global smash hit cartoon also celebrated the gender reveal news with a VIP party at the world's first-ever permanent Peppa Pig store at Battersea on Friday, featuring fundraising in support of NCT, the UK's leading charity for pregnancy and parents. And now, just a month later, Ms Henderson lead PrettyGreen to break the internet again with the announcement of the birth of the new family member - little Evie. Returning to GMB, it was revealed live on air that Mummy Pig welcomed a girl named Evie at 5:34AM on Tuesday. This time Peppa Pig really went the whole hog - appearing at the Lindo Wing in London, the same location where Kate Middleton gave birth to all three of her children, and even employing a town crier. The birth was announced with a royal-inspired twist on the classic royal birth announcement, complete with a town crier, a scroll-style proclamation, and the unveiling of an official Peppa Pig birth certificate. Addressing the public from outside the hospital the crier declared: 'Lend me your ears for news of the birth of a daughter to Mummy and Daddy Pig. Peppa and George have a baby sister and her name is Evie. Long live Evie Pig!' A mock birth bulletin in the style of the royals' announcement was also made and displayed outside. And the excitement doesn't stop here, as fans can join the family on the big screen with Peppa Meets the Baby, a brand-new cinema experience launching May 30 in over 2,600 cinemas across 19 countries. The hour-long, song-filled screening features 10 brand-new episodes, as Peppa and George prepare for the arrival of their baby sister. And next week, GMB has promised to bring viewers Daddy Pig's first 'live' interview after the birth of Evie. Speaking about the success of the campaign online, a PrettyGreen spokesperson said: 'Leaning into internet culture and humour, we transformed this animated milestone into a viral moment, by recreating iconic celebrity pregnancy announcements alongside family photos and a sonogram. 'It provided media, influencers, and earned outlets alike with a rich content library to amplify the story, culminating into a highly shareable global, cross-channel campaign.' They added: 'Mummy Pig Pregnancy broke the internet, trending across Google, X, and TikTok. 'The buzz led to an 88% surge in Peppa Pig UK Google searches and a massive 57M views on Good Morning Britain's TikTok alone. 'The story injected light-hearted positivity into the news cycle, cementing Peppa Pig at the heart of pop culture - sparking conversation on Reddit, Mumsnet, and even earning nods from brands like John Lewis and Grind Coffee.' Peppa Pig first aired in 2004 and has since been broadcast in 180 territories and translated into 40 languages. It's spawned books, toys and even two theme parks, with the global Peppa empire now worth over £1 billion. Creators Neville Astley and Mark Baker admitted they were worried the idea would never get off the ground, and that people were initially bored of the idea. People in the pub would ask us, 'What are you drawing?' We'd say, 'A pig, called Peppa, it's going to be big.' They'd lose interest and wander off', explained Astley. The pair created Peppa and her family working in each other's houses or at the local pub. The creators explained that the secret to Peppa's long-lasting appeal is the show's simplicity, as well as ensuring the piglet is never the butt of the jokes. 'We put a lot of work into making everything look as effortless as possible, said Baker. 'We can laugh at the adults, but children don't like it if we laugh at the children in the show.'
Daily Mirror
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Deff Leppard's Rick Savage's son becomes model as he fronts huge fashion campaign
Def Leppard star Rick Savage has launched a fashion line alongside his son - with the pair making waves in the fashion world days after Madonna's son hit out at 'nepo babies' The son of a an iconic rock band has become the latest child of a star to wriggle into the spotlight as a model. Music fans will be aware of the chart topping band Def Leppard. The group, fronted by singer Joe Elliott, has been churning out hits since 1979 with major smashes including Pour Some Sugar on Me, Let's Get Rocked, and Love Bites. The other members of the band include drummer Rick Allen, guitarist Phil Collen, fellow guitarist Vivian Campbell - and bassist Rick Savage, who also belts out backing vocals. Rick has been married to Paige Hannon since 2004 and together the couple have three children - including son Scott Savage who is now making waves as an emerging model. Scott's step into the spotlight has been encouraged, no less, by his father as the boys have teamed up for a new campaign. Overnight Angels Crew is a new fashion brand which is a joint venture between Rick and Scott - and the pair have been doing their best to show off the chic collection of sport-tinged designs. The official Instagram page of the brand has shown the father and son dressed up in items from the collection. One snap showed Soctt sporting a bomber jacket while posing against a wall with his chart-topping dad. A caption alongside the image stated: "@scottsavage__ rocking our iconic College Bomber Jacket—where timeless style meets modern sustainability." Sharing more details of the design, the caption added: "Crafted from 100% recycled polyester with quilted padding, it features a ribbed collar, hem, and cuffs, plus two side pockets and a snap dome closure. Designed for comfort and built to last." The designs appear to have been an immediate hit with fans - with one commenting on the post: "Nice picture of father and son. I'm so syched that the two of you are working together. Ild love to see more of the rick savage line too. The o.a.c. rocks could use a few more pieces for women though. Chill @scottsavage__ your doing great!!!" The official Overnight Angels Crew website shines a light on the origins of the brand. The About Us page states: "The brand name was born from a place of Savage's nostalgia, inspired by Ian Hunter's title track on his 1977 album, Overnight Angels. "It was this Summer of '77 that Savage was at a crossroads in his own life. Def Leppard formed that same year, and Savage chose to pay homage to that poignant time in his life with a brand he hopes will inspire others with its gritty attitude and reminiscence." Proving that the rock star and his son are taking a hands-on approach to business, the statement continues: "Both Rick and his son Scott worked closely with Nick Holland, the go to fashion expert for all Rockstar alike. "Holland founded the successful clothing line Pretty Green with Oasis' Liam Gallagher. He brings with him a wealth of experience, bringing to life a luxurious brand grounded in the disruptive and evocative nature of the designs." The brand offers a wide range of apparel for sale - from caps to shorts, hoodies to bandanas. Price points range - with the bomber jacket modelled by Scott retailing at £245 and sweatshirts costing around £120. Rick and Scott's venture has made waves days after comments made by Madonna's son, Rocco Ritchie, raised eyebrows as he mouthed off about nepo babies. The 24-year-old artist, who is also the son of director Guy Ritchie, mouthed off to Fantastic Man magazine. He said: 'I always think it's funny that back in the day, some of the most beautiful cathedrals that were ever built would be built by generation after generation of the same family. And now, if you are born from a family – and I'm not saying this is wrong – you start looking at nepo babies and they are not the most interesting bunch, are they?'
