By Sarah Dale
17 September 2025
“Beautiful hidden gem” Rudby Hall Hotel set the stage for two networking events aimed at businesswomen on Teesside – and the response to the stunning backdrop has been nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Assist’s Women of Experience gathered in the peaceful setting for an inspirational panel talk aimed at inspiring confidence, featuring women who have built careers, raised families, faced challenges and embraced opportunities at every stage of life – and still have plenty to offer in the workplace and in business.
The panel included Rudby Hall Hotel co-owner and director Suze Chomo, who is also a transformation change consultant and agile coach, Feel Amazing Therapist Ruth Smith, and Dorothy Nelson, a conscious connected breathwork facilitator and trained functional breath coach. The event allowed the panellists to share their experiences of diversifying in their careers after 40, lifelong learning, tackling ageism and growing in confidence.
Julie Burniston, who started the Women of Experience movement within Assist Women’s Network when she held the position of Goodwill Ambassador with the organisation last year, said: “We are very grateful to Suze for opening the gorgeous Rudby Hall to us for this inspiring event.
“It is a beautiful venue and provided a welcoming and comfortable space for our discussions, as we continue Assist’s series of Women of Experience events.
“These events are important for opening up conversations about the challenges women face in their careers and their lives after the age of 40, whilst also celebrating everything they have to offer due to their varied life experience.
“It was a privilege to have such a special setting in which to hold such important discussions.”
In the same week, Hard Hats to Heels Teesside was launched at Rudby Hall, designed to inspire, connect, and support women in property, construction, and business.
The award-winning networking community, founded by Hayley Andrews, has networking hubs all over the UK, but it is the first time that the concept has been introduced in Teesside.
Catherine Turner, luxury property agent, entrepreneur and empowerment advocate, and Natalie Crawford, partner and acquisitions lead For Town & Country Property Auctions North East, who is also a property developer and transformational and confidence coach, are the two powerhouses behind Hard Hats to Heels Teesside.
The pair introduced the networking opportunity to great fanfare at Rudby Hall, taking over the historic royal residence that was built in 1838 for the daughter of King William IV, Lady Amelia Cary and her husband the 10th Viscount Falkland, with drums, dancing and the networking community’s signature pink and orange colour theme.
Catherine said: “Hard Hats to Heels empowers ambitious women with a space where we can all collaborate, as they build meaningful relationships and grow their businesses and property portfolios.
“After discovering the stunning Rudby Hall Hotel, there was only one place 
Natalie and I wanted to host the launch event for Hard Hats to Heels Teesside, and everyone who attended has been blown away by how beautiful it is.
“Natalie and I have joined Hard Hats to Heels at an exciting time as it is going global – and we are here to put Teesside on that map, as we both strongly believe in our region as an inviting place with many coveted properties and development opportunities to offer.”
Natalie added: “My background and passion lie in transformational and confidence coaching for women – supporting them in their growth, empowerment, and self-belief. I’m a huge advocate for women, as well as a huge advocate for Teesside.”
Suze added: “Both Assist Women’s Network and the new Hard Hats to Heels women’s networking community on Teesside have important roles to play in empowering women across our community and we were honoured to have them holding their events with us at Rudby Hall Hotel, our beautiful hidden gem.
“As well as taking part in such inspiring events as a speaker, this gave myself and my husband Mark the opportunity to demonstrate how special Rudby Hall Hotel is and welcome more people into the warm embrace it offers everyone who steps inside.
“We are looking forward to continuing to build strong collaborative relationships with the community – and we are also excited to be developing the Friends of Rudby Hall whilst curating the history of this splendid property that we currently have the privilege to be custodians of.”
Find out more about Rudby Hall Hotel, how to book a stay, retreat or an event, plus how to join the Friends of Rudby Hall Group at www.rudbyhall.com
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