Author, entrepreneur and lifestyle guru Lynne Franks has a communication reach that stretches across the world. As a high-profile business woman and founder of the SEED empowerment programmes for women, she is either featured in or writes for many of the UK's top publications, as well as regularly appearing in international media, television and radio, speaking on the subjects of social change, consumer patterns, corporate responsibility and women in business.
After leaving school at sixteen, she started her working life as a secretary, before joining 'Petticoat', the UK's first weekly young women's magazine. She started her own public relations firm, Lynne Franks PR, from her kitchen table at the age of twenty-one, which grew to become one of the best-known public relations agencies in the world, advising and guiding multi-national businesses and non-profit organisations around the globe.
After twenty years in public relations and wanting to branch out into new directions, Lynne left her agency in 1992 and became an international spokesperson and facilitator on the changes in today's and tomorrow's world - both for the individual as well as the society at large.
In 1994, she chaired the UK's first women's radio station, presenting her own radio show, 'Frankly Speaking'. Prior to attending the UN Women's Conference in Beijing in 1995, Lynne created the major UK event, 'What Women Want', to draw attention to the changing position of women in society.
Taking five years out from the UK in the late 90's, Lynne lived in California and founded Globalfusion, a public relations agency with offices in LA and San Francisco, working for national consumer brands across the US.
She has authored four books, including 'The SEED Handbook: The Feminine Way to Create Business', published in 2000. Translated into a number of languages, the book struck a resonant chord with women around the world. Seeing the demand for women to create businesses in a new, feminine way, Lynne designed workshops and training programmes that bring her new ideas and methods to life. SEED has become the provider of one of the most internationally recognised women's enterprise and leadership training programmes, as well as a global women's network.
Supported by the British Government's Department of Trade and Industry's Strategic Platform for Women and Enterprise, SEED's facilitators have taught the programme across the UK. Lynne continues to personally conduct workshops and retreats based on "the feminine principles" as well as developing future SEED programmes for teenagers, women in corporate leadership and disadvantaged women in developing countries.
GROW Š The Modern Woman's Handbook - was published by Hay House on March 8, 2004, International Women's Day and takes a comprehensive look at the crucial issues that face women today - from health and spirituality, to family relationships, sexuality, work, community, social action, and ultimately, self-fulfillment.
The new edition of The SEED Handbook by Hay House and SEED interactive software training programme were launched on International Women's Day, March 8, 2005, at the House of Lords, together with the official national launch of the SEED Women's Enterprise Programme.
In 2007, The Tribal Group launched their SEED Women Into Enterprise Programme in partnership with Lynne as an educational blended learning tool with numeracy and literacy embedded and focused at the public sector. This is being delivered through enterprise agencies, FE's, women's prisons and other women's community initiatives.
2007 has also seen the publication of 'BLOOM', Lynne's new book published by Chronicle Books, San Francisco, as a companion to her 'Plant the SEEDs and Pick Blooms' Affirmation Cards.
Lynne has also initiated SEED Coaches Training and SEED Community Peer Circles in 2007. Lynne is a founder judge and spokesperson for the Government's Enterprising Britain Awards as well as a judge for other British and International enterprise and environmental awards.
Lynne is currently advising both private and public sectors as well as developing communication strategies for NGO's and community initiatives.
Lynne was a member of the cast of the highly successful ITV reality show "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here" in December '07.
Lynne has two children, Josh Howie, a stand-up comedian and Jessica Catto, author and mother of her two granddaughters, Lola Mae and Memphis.
