To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March, Business Connect has created a special feature in support of Women in Business across the UK, championing equality and showcasing achievements by women at the forefront of British businesses.
The business showcases featured below celebrate women and the businesses they represent.
Championing Compassion and Innovation
At the helm of two dynamic ventures – Phoenix Digital, a bespoke web development agency, and Animal Direction, a leading pet casting company – Davinia Hamilton-Maddox seamlessly blends innovation, compassion, and an irrepressible positive and friendly nature. Her journey is one of resilience, creativity, and a commitment to making a difference across diverse sectors, from sports to animal welfare and charitable work.
Building bridges in the sports world
Co-founding Phoenix Digital in 2016 with business partner Chris Gibson, Davinia in her client-facing role has established the agency’s reputation for creating high quality, long lasting, tailored digital solutions for a range of clients including high street brand Argos. The ethos of Phoenix Digital is rooted in crafting websites and digital solutions that go beyond the brochure, delivering functionality and integrated platforms that meet the unique needs of each client.
One of the speciality sectors served by Phoenix Digital is the sports profession including projects completed for England Squash and British Cycling. One of the agency’s standout achievements is their collaboration with Sheffield FC, recognised as the world’s first football club. The project involved a digital overhaul, including a new membership scheme and online store. The results were extraordinary, with a 1,172% increase in turnover in the first week of launch. This success not only bolstered Sheffield FC but also underscored Davinia’s leadership ability to fulfil beyond expectations.
Championing charitable causes
Davinia’s work with charities further illustrates her dedication to meaningful impact. Two notable projects include the digital transformation of George House Trust, and the firm has recently been appointed by The Forward Trust. Phoenix Digital’s approach – marked by extensive research and sensitivity to the needs of marginalised communities – has so far resulted in a user-friendly website that fosters accessibility and inclusion for those accessing the George House Trust’s support, with a carefully structured approach to reinforce the charity’s mission of inspiring people living with HIV to live healthy, confident lives without stigma.
The new website has integrated essential tools such as a donation platform, communication functionalities, and a CRM system to help streamline operations and provide a more responsive service to those in need. “Working with George House Trust is incredibly rewarding,” says Davinia. “It’s projects like these that remind me why I started Phoenix Digital – to use technology as a tool for empowerment and positive change.”
From hobby to success: the Animal Direction story
Davinia’s entrepreneurial spirit extends to her passion for animals. In 2012, what began as a hobby – a pet casting agency Animal Direction – has blossomed into a leading player in its niche. Based in MediaCityUK, Animal Direction now boasts a nationwide reach and a record-breaking year, with turnover exceeding £100,000 in 2024.
The agency’s value lies in its commitment to animal welfare. Services like “Vet on Set” ensure the well-being of animal stars, fostering trust and reliability among big-name clients like Harringtons, the BBC, ITV, and Netflix. Animal Direction’s success is epitomised by standout moments like casting a Cocker Spaniel named Pye, in Harlan Coben’s recently released Netflix series Missing You. “I’m deeply passionate about animals and their welfare,” Davinia shares. “This industry is not well-regulated for animals, but I’m determined to set a gold standard where every animal is treated with care and respect.”
Leadership with heart and laughter!
Davinia’s leadership style is defined by her balance of professionalism and empathy. Her teams at both companies describe her as a leader who inspires confidence, bringing out their best. This approach extends to her clients, who appreciate her ability to listen, adapt, and deliver. Davinia’s humour and positivity are infectious. Her LinkedIn posts and blog articles often highlight her love for her work and her ability to find joy in the journey. Take a look at her informative, yet entertaining blog on the ICO’s crackdown on website cookies!
A legacy of impact
Davinia is focused on further expanding both businesses. For Phoenix Digital, this means embracing emerging technologies to deliver even more sophisticated solutions. For Animal Direction, it’s about continuing to advocate for better regulations in the pet casting industry while growing the agency’s footprint.
Her journey is a testament to the power of combining passion with professionalism, proving that success is not just about achieving goals but about enriching lives – human and animal alike. With her trailblazing spirit and commitment to excellence, Davinia continues to redefine what it means to be a woman in business, inspiring others to lead with courage, compassion, and a touch of humour! Whether you’re after digital advice for an upcoming project, or you’re a producer looking to cast well-looked after and trained animals, you can contact Davinia on 07900 211694 or find her on LinkedIn.
See Davinia’s latest story on Animal Direction
phoenixdigital.agency
animaldirection.com
Transforming businesses into high-value assets
What is Wealth Teck’s market positioning in the advisory market?
“Wealth Teck specialises in helping business owners maximise their business value to create substantial, multi-generational wealth. The company’s philosophy is that wealth is a strategic choice, driven by business value rather than an incidental outcome. We transform businesses into high-value assets that generate predictable, sustainable returns. At the core of Wealth Teck’s method is value building, which aims to create quantum leaps in returns rather than just incremental gains. The company applies investment principles to businesses, ensuring they generate consistent, predictable earnings, which ultimately determines their market value.”
What is your approach to building business value?
“Wealth Teck takes a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach that moves beyond financial KPIs, focusing instead on the core drivers of value creation. Their strategy revolves around two key elements:
- Value Building Productivity – Optimising earnings through enhanced operational and capital productivity.
- Risk Management – Identifying and mitigating risks that could affect income stability and valuation multiples.
“Our process involves deep analysis of internal and external data and identifying value creation gaps.”
Value creation and productivity performance
“Our Wealth Creation Programme is designed to optimise valuation and exit readiness through:
- Operational & Capital Productivity – Linking efficiency to financial outcomes.
- Scalability Model – Ensuring businesses can grow efficiently, rather than just expanding revenue.
- Strategic Growth Decisions – Identifying new market opportunities and product expansions.
- Capability Analysis – Leveraging existing assets and resources effectively.
- Process and Organisational Design – Aligning efficient workflows with people strategy to ensure long-term success.
- Talent Retention and Succession Planning – Securing leadership continuity for a seamless exit.
Exit strategy and business sale preparation
“Wealth Teck ensures businesses are strategically positioned for sale rather than being perceived as “fixer-uppers.” Our approach includes:
- Benchmarking valuations against top performers.
- Preparing detailed documentation for buyers.
- Reducing risks that could lower valuation multiples.
- Ensuring alignment with investor expectations.
Do you sell businesses?
“Wealth Teck doesn’t act as a broker or M&A advisor. Instead, we provide strategic guidance to ensure businesses are exit-ready and positioned for an optimal sale. This value-building methodology makes businesses attractive to investors and M&A advisors, ensuring a higher valuation at the time of sale. My passion is to ensure business owners get more from their business: create wealth rather than work for an alienating income, given they carry all the risk, for them and their families”.
For a consultation, and to discuss our award-winning Value Diagnostic contact Wealth Teck: 0161 475 1011 or email hello@wealth-teck.com
wealth-teck.com
Incubating Success: How Alderley Park’s Female Founders Programme shaped my approach to company culture
“As a business owner specialising in HR and workplace culture, I’ve always been passionate about creating environments where people can thrive. Over the past six months, I’ve had the privilege of being part of the Female FoundersIncubator at Alderley Park – a programme designed to empower women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and think bigger. The incubator experience has been transformative. It provided a space where I could step back, assess my goals and challenge the way I approach my work. Through access to expert mentorship, workshops and a network of like-minded women, I gained fresh perspectives on leadership, strategy, and innovation. It wasn’t just about business growth; it was about growth as a leader.
“One of the biggest takeaways for me was the importance of adaptability in company culture. In my experience, businesses often get stuck in old habits, assuming that the way things have always been done is the only way forward. But the truth is, rigid cultures are the ones most at risk of stagnation.
“Through my time in the incubator, I’ve refined my approach to helping clients create dynamic and profitable workplaces where flexibility and collaboration are core values. For instance, one of my clients, a small tech business, struggled with inconsistent performance feedback. We introduced monthly reviews focusing on both work outcomes and alignment with company values. Early indicators show employees are responding positively, with clearer expectations and improved conversations about performance already boosting morale. What struck me most during the programme was the collective power of women supporting women. The camaraderie and encouragement from my peers reminded me that no business journey needs to be a solo one. We can achieve so much more when we work together and lift each other up.
“As I look to the future, I’m excited to keep applying these lessons, both in my own business and in the work I do with clients. My goal is to help more businesses realise that culture is the foundation of long-term success. If I could share one piece of advice with fellow entrepreneurs, it’s this: invest in your culture, invest in yourself, and don’t be afraid to seek out opportunities like the Female Founders Incubator. They might just change everything.”
Delivering award winning HR and culture strategy. HR done differently!
Let’s talk! Contact Natalie Lewis on 020 8798 3470
natalie@dynamichrservices.co.uk
dynamichrservices.co.uk
Who do you want to meet?
“My role in owning and hosting The Business Network is to try and make connections for members. The undeniable fact about these connections, however, is that I don’t necessarily know the links I am able to make until Iask the question. The reach of members, and the people they can make introductions to never fails to amaze me, but one example has stayed with me for over 20 years.
“In the South Humberside network I was explaining to the group how members can be a valuable source of knowledge, ideas and connections, and you only need to ask for help and the solutions can be found. Obviously, someone with a sense of humour, piped up that they were keen for an introduction to Bill Clinton, who was US president at the time. I naturally smiled and was about to say what a tall order that was, but we can see what we can do, when a member who I had known for a number of years, said, if you are serious about that my brother has a ranch close to Bill Clinton’s and plays golf with him regularly.
“Don’t ignore that connection you have, and don’t be afraid to ask when you are looking for information or advice!”
Find out more – contact Helen Bennett on 0161 823 1384 / 07854 891 767
email: helen@business-network.co.uk
visit: business-network-manchester.co.uk
Offering strategy and growth to aspirational SMEs
With a career spanning over 17 years and a proven track record of growing global brands, Kelly Williamson is a powerhouse in consultancy and a champion for SMEs – the backbone of the UK economy. As Co-Founder andDirector of Gambit, Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge, strategic insight, and a passion for helping businesses achieve their full potential. Kelly’s diverse experience working with international brands has equipped her with the skills to address complex challenges, scale operations, and drive sustainable growth.
Since 2016 Kelly has been transferring this expertise to support SMEs and startups, ensuring they have access to the strategies and systems that were once the domain of larger corporations. “SMEs are the foundation of the UK’s economy,” Kelly says. “I’m passionate about helping them thrive by combining big-brand thinking with tailored, actionable solutions that drive measurable results.” At Gambit, Kelly leads with a focus on aligning sales, marketing, and operational strategies to create robust and profitable businesses. Her hands-on, collaborative approach ensures clients receive not just guidance but a true partnership in their growth journey.
Whether scaling a startup or revitalising an established SME, Kelly Williamson is redefining what’s possible for businesses across the UK as they operate domestically and internationally. Contact Kelly to arrange your growth strategy for 2025: kelly@gambit.international
LinkedIn /kellymwilliamson
LinkedIn /gambit.international
Driving a successful networking business!
It’s coming up to seven years since Win Edmondson and her husband Simon purchased the Business Network South Manchester and nearly three years since they became hosts of The Business Network Chester. Win has learnt to play golf in the same period, and has just completed two years as Lady Captain of Ashton-On-Mersey Golf Club. We asked – has being one of the hosts of the Business Network helped with the Lady Captain role? “When you’re running a meeting for over 120 attendees, any fears of public speaking goes out of the window, and when it comes to golf club events the experience I have gained from The Business Network to good use”.
Talking about the future, Win told us “We will be focusing on the two groups, ensuring good quality events for our fantastic members to cultivate their businesses, and friendships within the two memberships”. “We are adamant that it is not all about business, and it is heart warming when members go out of their way to help fellow members. Only this week we have seen one of our members offering another’s daughter a placement for work experience and another instance where a Chester member has introduced one of their clients to a South Manchester member.”
Business Connect Magazine have been proud members of The Business Network South Manchester since Win and Simon took the reins.
Find out more! Email Win on: win@business-network.co.uk
Call 0161 503 5000 or visit: business-network-south-manchester.co.uk
