2008 First Woman of Science & Technology
Margaret Manning
Margaret Manning is the CEO of Reading Room, which is a 150-employee digital communications agency based in London but with offices in Manchester, Sydney and Canberra. She has led the company through dramatic growth: since 2005, turnover has increased 330 per cent (it currently stands at £7.2m). Manning isn`t resting on her laurels, however, as she aims to make Reading Room the "agency of the future" that would challenge digital giants such as FTSE 100-listed WPP. She`s also passionate about advancing women in the workforce - Reading Room plans to increase its headcount to 500, half of which will be women. Manning has also spoken at conferences for women entrepreneurs. Her inspiration is fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. Manning says: "She has shown me that daring to be different and having the guns to break the rules are enormous attributes in business - and we try to do the same, where we can, at Reading Room."
2008 Shortlist
Sara Murray, MD, Buddi Ltd
Marie Wold, president/CFO, OnRelay
Mary Assimakopoulos, Research Partnershi
