Dr Ruth Slater, Dean of Wrexham University Business School, hopped on a train to London with Moneypenny co-founder Rachel Clacher.

Wrexham University is proud to highlight the leadership, ambition and collaboration helping to shape the future of our region. 

Earlier this month, Dr Ruth Slater, new Dean of Wrexham University Business School, travelled to London alongside colleagues and partners to raise the profile of Wrexham County Borough Council’s ambition to improve the frequency of rail services between Wrexham and the capital from December 2026. 

A more regular and reliable service to London would be transformational for businesses across Wrexham and the wider region. Strengthened connectivity would enable our partners, students and staff to extend their networks, attract investment and generate new opportunities that directly benefit North Wales. For a modern business school committed to regional growth, connectivity is more than convenience. It is a catalyst for innovation and enterprise. 

On March 2, during the journey to London, Ruth met with Rachel Clacher, co-founder of Moneypenny. The interview took place on the train as we travelled south, where we were wonderfully hosted by WSMR. The conversation provided a fitting opportunity to reflect on Rachel’s experiences as a young woman in business and to celebrate International Women’s Day. 

Rachel spoke candidly about her early career, from waitressing in London after university to stepping into the fast-paced world of PR. Working for two inspirational female leaders in an Acton agency, she quickly learned the importance of flexibility, teamwork and resilience. Despite initially knowing little about public relations, she embraced the unpredictability of organising high profile events and premieres, gaining hands on experience that would later underpin her entrepreneurial success. 

Her career path was anything but linear. From freelance PR to working with Save the Children in Zimbabwe and later moving into theatre marketing in Chester, Rachel developed a practical and solution focused mindset. Each experience added to her confidence and capability, ultimately leading her and her brother to identify a gap in the market for a more personal and reliable telephone answering service. That idea became Moneypenny, now a globally recognised business. 

Reflecting on her journey, Rachel shared powerful insights for aspiring entrepreneurs across North Wales. 

“There are people who take action and there are people who do not. I wanted to take action.” 

She emphasised that timing should never be a barrier. 

“There is no right time to change or to start a new career.” 

Rachel was also open about the challenges she faced as a female entrepreneur, including being underestimated or mistaken for her brother’s assistant in meetings. Rather than allowing these moments to deter her, she used them as motivation, proving that awareness of bias can be turned into strategic advantage. 

Central to her success has been a relentless focus on quality and culture. She attributes much of Moneypenny’s growth to understanding and valuing her workforce, regularly asking, “What does it feel like to work in this organisation?” 

For Rachel, building a resilient business means investing in people, creating supportive environments and recognising that innovation comes from engaged teams who feel seen and heard. 

As we mark International Women’s Day 2026, Ruth’s visit to London symbolises more than improved rail connections. It reflects a shared ambition to elevate Wrexham’s voice nationally, champion female leadership and create tangible opportunity for our students, partners and regional businesses. 

At Wrexham University Business School, we remain committed to empowering the next generation of leaders, encouraging them, as Rachel advises, to take action, embrace challenge and build organisations that make a meaningful impact.