A FORUM which brings together women from technology-based sectors in the region will host one of the UK’s best-known female entrepreneurs.

Rachel Elnaugh, one of the original line-up of Dragons on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, will speak at the Girl Geeks North- East event next month.

Ms Elnaugh founded experience company Red Letter Days, and built it up into a £100m business, before having to deal with its collapse. She now works in the enterprise sector.

Girl Geeks North-East started out as Durham Girl Geeks, but its popularity across the region means it has now broadened its name.

The network, set up by Mia Chapman, has so far held two events, and about 100 are expected at the latest meeting, to be held at Newcastle’s Assembly Rooms on Tuesday, November 10.

Other speakers are Gillian Arnold, technical manager at IBM UK, and Carrie Hartnell, head of industry at technology company Intellect.

Ms Chapman, managing director and founder of hightech business Biotecnix, based in Consett, County Durham, said Girl Geeks North-East is proving a popular forum for women in maledominated industries.

“Despite the many challenges we face, there are so many women out there in this region doing really well. All the time I’m getting to hear about female-led high-technology companies, and it’s really encouraging,” she said.

For more information about Girl Geeks North-East, or to book a place for the event on November 10 – tickets cost £30 – visit girl-geeks.co.uk