Rachel, who was previously a BBC TV producer, co-founded Media Zoo in 2003 and helped it evolve into a market-leading business with three distinct divisions: Digital Learning, Film and PR, and Communications. The business has three offices in London, one in Glasgow, one in Switzerland, and one in the USA.
Rachel has faced both personal and business challenges in her career. After she had her first child and took time off, she came back to an industry she felt she didn’t know. When the recession hit in 2008, a loss of a number of clients meant making some difficult decisions.
Despite these setbacks, Media Zoo has thrived, winning the title of Production Company of the Year in 2017 and 2018 and being the current holder of both the Cannes Grand Prix and the New York Film Festival Grand Prize. 

Rachel says, "Media Zoo has grown from a couple of people working out of a small flat to a successful international business employing well over 100 staff. It’s been an amazing journey and - whilst it has been challenging at time - I have enjoyed every part of it."

The NatWest everywoman Awards celebrates female entrepreneurs from all walks of life, providing a platform for them to share their achievements. The 2019 judges included some of the UK’s top business people, such as Helen Pattinson (Montezuma’s); Julie Deane OBE (Cambridge Satchel Company); and Poonam Gupta (PG Paper Company). 
Overall, just one in three UK entrepreneurs is female, a gender gap of 1.1 million missing businesses and a potential loss to the UK economy of £250 billion. The Alison Rose review identified that one of the best ways to encourage female entrepreneurs was by providing, "relatable and accessible mentors and networks" and the NatWest everywoman awards does exactly that.
Rachel Pendered adds, "There are thousands of women who could set up their own businesses and become successful entrepreneurs. I really hope that events like this give them the inspiration to step forward and try it for themselves".