DataFit CEO inspires future female business leaders at Uni of Winchester

Published by

Daniel Face

Last Friday, the University of Winchester marked International Women’s Day by welcoming a panel of three female business leaders to share their career journeys with an audience of budding entrepreneurs.

Among them was Sam Gaskell, founder and CEO of Hampshire-based data management consultancy DataFit Ltd.

“International Women’s Day has always been close to my heart”, she said.

“So when I was given the opportunity to go and talk to the next generation of female founders, I absolutely jumped at the chance.

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“As a woman in data, I’ve always been the minority in what’s a male dominated sector, and throughout my 10-plus-year career I’ve worked incredibly hard to climb the ladder.

“Every step of the way I’ve prided myself on delivering not only the highest standard of work possible, but also immersing myself in the team and cultivating a culture that enables and empowers those around me.

“From day one as a data quality clerk, I threw myself into the role and was determined to make a difference.

“This ethos has guided me throughout my working life and remains at the core of my personal and professional endeavours.”

Guests at the university’s #EmpowerHER event also heard from Michelle Dabenett, founder and artistic director of Mich Mash Theatre Company CIC in Croydon, as well as Daisy Harris-Reid, founder of community groups for Hampshire parents and columnist for Hampshire Life Magazine.

Josh Wood, enterprise officer at the University of Winchester, added: “We were absolutely delighted to invite Sam on to the panel and found her story both awakening and inspiring.

“She’s a visionary in her field, determined to do things differently for data as a whole but also for women and for mothers.

“It was fantastic to hear first-hand the challenges she’s faced and overcome, and we couldn’t think of a better day than International Women’s Day to have her here sharing her amazing story.

“On behalf of myself and all of the #EmpowerHER attendees, we want to thank Sam for being a panellist. It was a joy to host her here!”

Day to day, Sam provides SMEs and larger businesses with data-driven decision making, recruitment services and training programmes.

Daniel Face

Born and raised in Berkshire, Dan fell into journalism after completing his bachelor’s degree in English at UCL. Writing for The Business Magazine and local Biz News sites has given him the opportunity to chat with all manner of small business owners and share their success stories with a wider audience. Outside of work, Dan enjoys live music, board games and quiz shows, and is making a slow but persistent effort to learn Spanish.