Anita Brightley-Hodges

Anita Brightley-Hodges is the Co-Founder & Creative Director of Irene & Jenny – a luxury jewellery brand that she launched at the age of 66 with her daughter. An advisor to numerous family-owned businesses, she helps business leaders to learn in which ways they can improve their processes and inspire their teams. When hired as a speaker, Anita draws upon her experiences in business, communication, and coaching to educate businesses on the importance of innovation and strategy.

Anita has led an illustrious career, with prominent experience in entrepreneurship. After serving as an Art Editor at SHE Magazine, she served as Managing & Creative Director of Still Waters Run Deep, a leading graphic designing agency in London. She has also served as Managing & Creative Director at Brightley-Hodges Associate, offering businesses her specialist marketing & creative services consultations.

Anita also created and served as Managing Director of Family Business Place – a community designed to promote and support family-run businesses. As a speaker, she uses her experience in running a family business to speak on conflict resolution, succession planning and mentoring the next generation. She is particularly passionate about guiding family run businesses given that at the beginning of her career, there wasn’t much recognition or attention paid to this unique sector. Anita’s experiences serve as a guidepost to people today, helping them feel confident in starting their own businesses.

Anita’s jewellery business is centred around using preloved heirloom jewellery so as to promote sustainable luxury. A pioneer in the business today, it is not as if Anita’s journey has not been without its challenges. Having dealt with sexism, racism, and financial turmoil, Anita was also battling personal challenges such as grief and loss whilst navigating motherhood. Anita is an emblem of what grace and grit can help you achieve in life. Today she serves as an inspiration to women all over the world that they can also achieve their dreams. Anita’s advocacy for diversity and inclusion is apparent through her work to empower women.

Anita has also been the Director of Education at Campden Education, where she offers virtual training programs to guide families through the stages of ownership and growth. A trusted business advisor, mentor, mediator, Anita has worked with globally renowned organisations such as University of Oxford, Exeter University, Credit Suisse, KPMG, Ernst & Young and PwC, to name a few. Now available to hire as a speaker, Anita Brightley-Hodges is one of the leading experts on diversity & inclusion, empowering women, business strategy and conflict & communication. Enquire today!