A SCHOOLGIRL addressed almost 200 businesswomen, calling on them to give their time to inspire the next generation of women.

Megan Johnson, from Basildon Upper Academy, gave a speech to female workers from Deloitte, one of the “big four” professional services firms, encouraging them to talk in classrooms and inspire schoolgirls.

The A-level pupil, of Fleetway, Vange, was handpicked having previously helped to launch an Inspiring Women in Sport event with presenter Clare Balding and 400m runner Christine Ohuruogu at the BT Tower, in London.

Megan said: “It was quite overwhelming, but I wasn’t as nervous this time because speaking at the BT Tower has given me confidence.

“The audience was really engaged with what I was saying.”

The 17-year-old appeared alongside Inspiring Women founder Miriam Gonzalez Durantez, who is an international lawyer married to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, a teacher from the Basildon Academies and a speaker from Deloitte, at the Mermaid Theatre, in London.

Megan first got involved with the Inspiring Women campaign after being invited to chaperone Ms Balding when she visited the Wickford Avenue academy with Samantha Cameron and Dame Tessa Jowell as part of the campaign last year.

Doug Lawson, executive principal of the Basildon Academies, commented: “It was another fantastic opportunity for Megan to be invited to the Deloitte International Women’s Day Reception and to continue to participate in the Inspiring Women Campaign.”

At the Mermaid Theatre, in Blackfriars, Megan explained to the audience how the visit had inspired her and called on them to each give up an hour a year on similar school visits.

She said: “It’s such a worthwhile campaign because it’s getting young girls my age to see what opportunities there are.

“It’s trying to break the stereotype of traditional women’s roles that many girls have.”

Megan had invitations to work for Ms Balding and Premiership Rugby after she spoke to about 50 people at the BT Tower’s 34th level revolving floor.