Sophie Milliken MBE: The Power of Connection

We are thrilled to announce that Sophie Milliken MBE will be our guest speaker at the next gathering of The League on 20th April at Eslington Villa, Gateshead.

Sophie is, quite simply, one of the greatest networkers in Britain. In a world where people collect LinkedIn connections like trading cards, Sophie has built something far more valuable: a living, breathing network of extraordinary people who genuinely support one another. And she has done it with authenticity, generosity, and relentless energy.

Building an International Movement

Sophie is the founder of City Ladies Networking, an international network for women in business that runs monthly events across Newcastle, London, and Paris. What started as an idea to bring ambitious women together has grown into a powerful community that is reshaping how women connect, collaborate, and rise through the business world.

But networking is just one chapter of Sophie's story.

From Downing Street to the North East

Just last week, Sophie hosted a meeting for North East women entrepreneurs inside 10 Downing Street. That is not a sentence you read every day. It speaks volumes about the respect she commands, the doors she has opened, and the platform she has built for others.

Sophie is also the Chair of Smart Works Newcastle, a charity that provides unemployed women with interview clothing and coaching to help them back into work. Under her leadership, the charity has doubled the number of women it supports across the North East. The charity counts Dragons' Den investor Sara Davies MBE as its ambassador, a relationship Sophie personally cultivated.

Moja: Turning Unknowns into Unforgettables

Sophie is the founder and CEO of Moja Group, a company that builds personal brands for entrepreneurs and senior executives. Moja helps you publish your book, win awards, and become the recognised authority in your industry. Her track record with Moja has earned her Ambassador status with Daniel Priestley's company Dent, one of the most respected names in the entrepreneurial world.

She is also the author of three books, including the bestselling From Learner to Earner, The Ambition Accelerator (featuring insights from Sara Davies MBE and The Apprentice's Linda Plant), and From Unknown to Unforgettable, her personal branding handbook endorsed by Daniel Priestley himself.

An MBE for Services to Business and Education

In the 2023 New Year Honours, Sophie was awarded an MBE for her services to Business and Education. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and has won numerous national awards including the Forward Ladies National Award and the Best Business Women Award.

She has also delivered a TEDx talk, The Truth Behind the Showreel, and has been featured across the BBC, Stylist, The i, and countless business publications.

What to Expect on the Night

Sophie will share the story behind her incredible network. How she built it, why it matters, and what you can learn from the woman who turned connections into a career, a mission, and an MBE. You will hear about the principles that guided her journey, the setbacks that tested her, and the mindset that made it all possible.

If you have ever wondered how some people seem to know everyone worth knowing, this is your chance to find out from the very best.

Event Details

Date: Sunday 20th April 2025

Time: 18:30 arrival for 19:00 dinner

Venue: Eslington Villa, 8 Station Road, Low Fell, Gateshead NE9 6DR

You have heard the saying "it is not what you know but who you know." Well, you definitely want Sophie in your network.

Thirty seats. One table. One extraordinary speaker. If this is the kind of evening that speaks to you, request your invitation today.