HLN’s 2020 Hall of Fame
We're so proud of the amazing women we've featured this year. Here are our top 30 most read interviews. Prepare to be inspired.
1. Denise Welch
One of our most-read articles of all time, Denise chatted to HLN’s Jo Dunbar about her trails and tribulations, her acting career and the success of her new book where she spoke with brutal honesty about her struggles with depression.
2. Nancy Straughan
Nancy spoke to us about creativity, the importance of following your gut, her favourite North East haunts and balancing work life with motherhood. As well as sharing her incredibly insta-worthy interiors. Dreamy.
3. Lois Bell
Creative Director at digital marketing agency Bumbl, Lois spoke to us about adapting to changing consumer habits, social media, mental health and her hopes for women in leadership in the region.
4. Zara Jull
The founder of Newcastle’s first facial bar discussed the ideology behind her business, her favourite treatments, her commitment to sustainable skincare and being a business-owner and young mum.
5. Jenny Brownlees
Our own gal Jenny wrote a piece at the beginning of lockdown where she bravely opened up about her battle with ME that left her housebound for five years, and offered tips on how to cope during our first lockdown.
6. Katie Meehan
Throwback to July when we caught up with one of our region’s best-known bloggers, Katie Meehan, on empowerment, beauty products and her love for the North East.
7. Carol Malia
Another interview which is high on our most-read list month-on-month. We were lucky enough to chat to BBC Look North presenter Carol Malia about the excitement of live TV, staying impartial over Brexit and why she will never leave the North East.
8. Chi Onwurah
In January, we really enjoyed meeting Chi Onwurah, the Labour MP for Newcastle Central. She told us about being born and raised in the city, her political journey and how she has been forging the path for women since the beginning of her political career.
9. Chloe McGuirk
Founder of super-popular lifestyle blog New Girl in Toon, we spoke to Chloe about being an honorary Geordie, her favourite small businesses and her love for the region.
10. Kim McGuinness
We chatted to Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim about her role, how she is engaging with the next generation and the impact that Covid-19 had on her work.
11. Kate Walton
Our first ever HLN interview (OK, this was in November 2019 but we’re still counting it), we spoke to Vogue-featured fashion entrepreneur Kate Walton to chat about her business, overcoming breast cancer as a business owner and being voted as one of Draper’s 30 under 30.
12. Sarah Waddington
Back in March, we interviewed North East PR legend Sarah Waddington about how she has remained at the forefront of an industry which has changed drastically since the start of her career.
13. Helenlee Loves
Founder of Style Code, Helen spoke to HLN about her business, which helps women from all walks of life feel confident.
14. Helen Boyd and Nathalie Bouleau-Chabot
We spoke to the passionate duo behind Smart Works Newcastle on how they support North East women to get back into employment with free interview clothing and coaching.
15. Gail Curry
Helen Bowman caught up with the incredible Gail Curry, founder of Happy Planet Art, who shared her life story, from being made homeless as a teen, losing her speech after a traumatic event and achieving success against the odds.
16. Sian Jordan
Another one of our very early interviews, we spoke to self-taught artist Sian about her journey to finding her own style and how she turned her passion into a business.
17. Katherine Vero
We spent an afternoon in John Lewis Newcastle with Katherine Vero, the founder of Slow Shopping, who told us how when her mum fell ill with dementia she wanted shops to understand what measures they could take to make shopping more accessible.
18. Lauren Wedderburn
Sustainability changemaker and founder of Something Good Newcastle chatted to us about her zero-waste, environmentally-friendly store in Jesmond.
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