INSPIRATIONAL speakers mingled with hundreds of businesses in the Great Western Hall at Steam Museum yesterday for the South-West Business Expo.

Speakers included Jackie Chappel, the first female CEO of British Rail, and Ben Towers, 19, who became a millionaire after selling a website company he made when he was just 11.

Jackie Chappel, who was based in Swindon at Weston Tower while CEO of British Rail before privatisation, delivered a talk on her story and work on gender equality. “It’s lovely to be back, Swindon is a railway town. And I was delighted and determined to be at this one.

Speaking about her continued support for women in business and gender equality in industries today, Jackie said: “In railways alone, there’s only fourteen per cent who are women. Which is not that much higher than before.

“You could speak to a lot of female leaders and when you speak to them, one of the biggest hold bucks they have is themselves. They should know their worth, and if they feel they can do the job as well as a man they should get paid the same as a man. You have to fight for equal pay.”

Fiona Scott, of Fiona Scott PR, said: “I come to the expo because I’m a local business person and I want to be seen to be part of he business community. It’s got busier and busier year on year. Even with this hot weather it’s got a real buzz and it shows what a vibrant and varied business community we have in Swindon, which I love and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Sarah Godwin, senior project manager at Inspire Displays, who made the Excalibur display for the Expo, said: “It’s been fantastic today, it’s quite good for us to gain contacts with other suppliers. It’s also perfect for us because we’re demonstrating exactly what we do and we’ve been gaining quite a lot of interest in the stand itself.”

Organiser from South-West Expo Alec Jones-Hall said: “It’s been phenomenal today, we’ve had over a hundred exhibitors, over a thousand visitors throughout the day. It’s just really encouraging to see the local business community in Swindon coming together and supporting one another.

“Already people are saying they’ve done business today, and we just hope this is sowing seeds that will drive the economy growth for the area.”

“For us it’s so exciting, because how iconic is it to have the first woman CEO in the rail industry here at Steam. She’s a pioneer for women in business, and it’s great to have her here flying the flag, especially after 100 years of women’s suffrage.”