We are delighted to announce our new Ambassador Gemma Sheppard – award winning international fashion stylist, star of TV’s 10 Years Younger in 10 Days, brand advisor and journalist – with the aim to reach and to support thousands more women through our unique dressing and coaching services.

Gemma, a long-standing champion for the power of finding confidence through clothes, will undertake her first event for Smart Works Greater Manchester at our annual Fashion & Fizz evening at Mottram Hall on 14 November 2024. Joined by our current Ambassador, TV broadcaster Michelle Ackerley, Gemma hopes her passion for fashion will encourage others to support us through much needed clothing and donations, enabling us to help more women in need.

Gemma Sheppard said: “I am incredibly honoured to become an ambassador for Smart Works Greater Manchester, a charity that truly embodies the spirit of empowering women. Smart Works is the ultimate in lifting women up, providing kindness, guidance, and unwavering support at every step as they embark on their journey back to work. Through tailored coaching and professional styling, they offer women not only the tools they need but the confidence to succeed. I am proud to stand alongside such a transformative organisation”.

Jan Iceton, Chair of Smart Works Greater Manchester, said: “Our clients are strongly motivated to get a job to gain a sense of purpose and identity, and to secure financial security for themselves and for their family. It gives us a great sense of accomplishment and pride to play our part in their journey, helping them build the skills and the self-confidence they need to succeed at upcoming job interviews.

As we head into 2025, our tenth anniversary year, we need to continue to raise even greater awareness of our services and the lasting impact they have on the women we support. Our Ambassadors are a key part of raising awareness and we are thrilled that Gemma has agreed to represent our charity to ensure as many women as possible hear about Smart Works. As someone very closely associated with women looking and therefore feeling their very best self, Gemma has the opportunity to not only highlight what we do in support of our clients, but also how we do it – with great skill and even greater authenticity and kindness.”