Innovation Masterclass - Leadership from the Heart: Impactful and authentic entrepreneurship

We are delighted to welcome Jeanette Forbes, a trailblazing businesswoman and technology entrepreneur, for a special Innovation Masterclass during Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025. Jeanette will share her remarkable story of resilience, ambition, gender challenges and innovation - a journey that took her from redundancy to building a thriving global business.

Originally from Halifax, Jeanette moved to Aberdeen almost 40 years ago. After leaving school with ‘O’ Levels, she returned to education in her 40s to pursue a computing degree at night school while supporting her young family. “I was employed in several blue-chip companies. Then in the Oil & Gas downturn of 1999 I was made redundant for the second time and decided to take control of my own destiny! I started PCL Group with just £100 of my redundancy money and that's where my story begins.”

Today, Jeanette leads multiple cross disciplinary ventures including PCL Group, a global information technology company, operating in 27 countries, she is also the owner of two trendy Aberdeen hospitality establishments, Grape & Grain and Mediterranean with her latest major appointment being the new Chair at Aberdeen Inspired! Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, community impact, lifelong learning, and a resilient entrepreneurial spirit Jeanette International Links