Natalie meets PM at Number 10

DOWNING STREET: Natalie Finbow, right, pictured with Prime Minister Gordon brown and other women invited to the launch of the New Opportunities White Paper

Published Date:
16 January 2009

By Bury Free Press reporter

An award-winning mother and businesswoman, who helps to support people that have been abused or sexually assaulted, was invited for a special visit to number 10 Downing Street.

Natalie Finbow, 41, from Stanton, won the Barclays Trading Places Award in 2006 when she turned her life around following an abusive marriage and bankruptcy.

She has since been working hard to help other people in the same position and on Tuesday her efforts were recognised by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Mrs Finbow was one of just six people who were invited to have private discussions with Mr Brown and Harriet Harman, Secretary of State for Equalities and Minister for Women, about creating new job opportunities for disadvantaged people and helping people to get back to work.

"Why I was asked I can't understand. It was all very informal as Gordon Brown just came in and said 'hello Natalie'," said Mrs Finbow.

"I told him about my plans, what I have done and about my website, where I help victims.

"To meet the Queen and now Gordon Brown – how much better can it get? It's opened new contacts and it's just surreal."

The Prime Minister launched the New Opportunities White Paper at the event, which is about building fair chances for everyone to succeed.

A spokeswoman for the Cabinet Office said: "Natalie was invited because of she is both a businesswomen who has helped people who may find it difficult to gain employment, providing employment and training opportunities, and also someone has made significant personal strides within her personal life."

Mrs Finbow already has plans to open a new hair salon, in Ipswich, and is preparing to release a book, to be called Trading Places, about her personal struggle.