International Women’s Day takes place annually on 8th March and celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also emphasises a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

This year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain’, emphasises the power of reciprocity and support.

To mark International Women’s Day 2026, St Albans City Centre BID, we sit down with our CEO, Alison Berneye to hear about her career from running her own business to being a trustee and mentor.

1. Who were the women who supported or inspired you, and what did they teach you?
I started my career in 1983; it was a man’s world then. I can’t think of a single female boss; the women I worked with were in HR. We’ve moved on a long way since then. I think it’s fair to say you learn along the way from good or bad leadership.

2. You built and led a large, successful events business. What were the biggest lessons that period taught you about leadership, resilience, and scaling a business?
Firstly, you are the ‘Jack of all Trades’ when you start, you have very little money in your own business. You need to call on all the skill sets you have learnt over the years and get the job done. Resilience is a very useful tool.

When it comes to scaling a business, there are three priorities: staff, cash flow and profit. In the early years, I lost money on a couple of contracts because the clients lied about footfall (I could later prove that), so I reversed the contracts, ensuring the clients took the financial risk, not me. It worked. I built a very successful business. As a supplier, you can walk away from business; not all clients understand that.

3. Was there a defining moment in your early career that shaped the leader you are today?
I don’t recall a single defining moment, but my parents taught me my work ethics and to respect people at all levels. We talked about Equality and Inclusion (those titles weren’t used then). I’d like to think I have taught my daughters the same, they are both leaders in business.

4. Can you share more about the voluntary work and mentoring that you do and why it’s important to you?
I wound up my business in 2020 after 22 years, it gave me the opportunity to give my time to voluntary organisations. I immediately volunteered at the COVID Vaccination Centres (they were scary times) and for Communities 1st , shopping for vulnerable people who couldn’t go our during the pandemic.

I joined The Princes Trust (now The Kings Trust) for a few years to mentor young entrepreneurs in their quest to start a variety of businesses which I found hugely rewarding.
I became a Trustee of St Albans Citizens Advice which I am still involved with today. I also volunteered with the Salvation Army, as a driver to move people who had been trafficked, they are taken miles to a place of safety.

5. What has been your proudest achievement since stepping into the CEO role at St Albans BID?
I joined St Albans BID in 2020 during the COVID epidemic, it was a very difficult time for the businesses and the Directors. You will remember there were frequent changes to the rules. We were also heading towards the end of our first term and preparing for the second term. When we were overwhelmingly successful it gave me the opportunity with the support of the Board, to make the changes required to head into our second term.

6. What advice would you give to women who have an idea but worry they’re “not ready” to take the leap into entrepreneurship?
Give it a try but make sure you have plenty of enthusiasm and energy with a good support network around you, suppliers, friends and family. Staff come later.

7. What’s the most valuable piece of advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs?
Be driven, think positively, it’s not easy, sometimes you have to pick yourself up and dust yourself off.

Find out more about supporting International Women’s Day by visiting the website https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Giving.