Who we are

  • Frances Davies

    I'm a mother to two teenage sons, Jay and Jack and wife to Mark. Growing up in the countryside of Yorkshire from an early age I developed a love of the great outdoors. This led to me regularly competing in athletics and cross country events at school and university and as an adult my fresh air activities have widened considerably.

    I've climbed Mount Meru in Tanzania, walked into the Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal and closer to home I have run the London Marathon twice. I've also walked both the Yorkshire and National Three Peaks, completed the 108 mile Scottish Coast to Coast race and I regularly enter running, cycling and open water swimming events across the country.

    Professionally, I'm a private client lawyer and have been for the last 22 years. In 2015 I set up Progeny Private Law, my own firm. We specialise in providing succession and tax advice to individuals and trustees. I hope that others will follow my lead, and take part in a variety of experiences for the sheer fun of it.

  • Helen Butters

    I'm married with two children and live in York. Aside from being a mum I have led on communications in the NHS for both provider and commissioning organisations for the last 25 years. Over that time I have been involved in designing successful communication and engagement strategies for formal consultations, some of which have been in the public eye and have been extremely controversial.

    I have a 'can do' approach and my ability to communicate a positive message is one of my many strengths. I am currently the Marketing and Social Media Lead at Yorkshire Rows Adventures and was instrumental in designing the communication plan for the successful Yorkshire Rows campaign and crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in 2015/16. In my spare time I love learning new skills. After learning to row 5 years ago and then rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, I now have my sights on climbing a very big mountain!

  • Janette Benaddi

    I live near York with my husband and our two teenage children (young adults!). Despite poor performance at school, I eventually qualified as nurse. I did this for some years before moving into teaching and then counselling. I worked for many years in the life science industry before stepping out on my own and setting up a clinical research business in 1997. Now twenty years later, I'm doing what I enjoy most: public speaking, charity work and inspiring other business leaders.

    I'm very passionate about helping SMEs to flourish and grow as well as enjoying my work as a Non Executive Director for a number of organisations. Every day brings new opportunities and adventures which I grasp with both hands. I am lucky to be blessed with wonderful family and friends, something I have appreciated even more after rowing the ocean.

    Right now I run two more businesses with my husband. I'm also spending precious moments making wonderful memories with my family and friends. The ocean taught me to enjoy the moment and so I am!

  • Niki Doeg

    I am married to Gareth and live near York with my 2 children, Corby & Aiden. I grew up in far flung locations around the world, travelling extensively as part of my childhood, and discovering a love for different cultures and experiences.

    Once I settled back in the UK, I worked across a variety of roles including training, project management and then senior management. I spent some time as a Management Consultant, working with key FTSE100 firms across the UK delivering strategic business projects and management development programmes. I now run a successful Wealth Management firm and have qualified as a rugby coach, more recently taking an opportunity to start up a new girls' rugby section at York RUFC.

    I love spending time with my family, travelling and working with both young children and adults, challenging them and helping them develop new skills. I'm keen to open up opportunities for girls and women especially in the sports arena.