OnDemand: The Women in Public Sector Leadership Conference 2026
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2026 Supporters Included
2026 Overview
Although the UK public sector has increased in female representation (House of Commons, 2026), males are often overrepresented in leadership positions. Updated figures place female representation at 55% in the Civil Service, 45% in Academics, 44% Judges, 36% Police Officers and 12% in the Armed Forces (House of Commons, 2026). Reformation strategies are crucial to confront barriers to female leadership to ensure public sector organisations prioritise effective and resilient governance (Oko-Joseph, 2018), ensuring females have the confidence to embark successfully on their leadership journeys.
With legislative changes on the Employment Rights Act 2025 released in April 2026, the public sector must prioritise gender equity, otherwise leading to severe financial and legal consequences and risking discrimination. Now is the time to move from non-inclusive practices to policies that address structural, cultural and institutional barriers to women’s leadership in the public sector.
The Women in Public Sector Leadership Conference 2026 provided implementation strategies from public sector female leaders, on an individual and organisational level, to provide a multi-faceted approach to accelerate women’s leadership journeys with confidence. It explored first-hand perspectives by women who have navigated career obstacles in working environments to connect structural barriers with practical career strategies.
2026 Agenda
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Professor Karen Jones, University of Reading
Keynote: Women’s Leadership in the Public Sector: Positive Progress and Continued Challenges
- Assessing the policy landscape on the gender pay gap and women’s representation in the public sector to provide a clear benchmark to assess actionable next steps in female leadership journeys
- Outlining the 2026/27 legislative changes of the Employment Rights Act 2025 to prioritise compliance with government regulations with gender parity at the forefront, otherwise risking discriminatory behaviour and legal repercussions
- Examining why women’s representation declines at senior levels, identifying structural and cultural barriers to recognise issues in retaining female talent
- Providing thought leadership on practical solutions that organisations can implement to drive progress in women’s leadership
Gillian Unsworth, Deputy Director of the Women’s Equality Division, Office for Equality and Opportunity
Keynote: Confronting Systems and Barriers: Redefining Leadership
- Analysing the structural barriers that limit access to senior leadership, and how to navigate these systems effectively
- Outlining how to identify and respond to workplace inequities including microaggressions, sexism, harassment, and online abuse to build resilience and actively challenge career obstacles with confidence
- Examine how gender stereotyping and gender bias shape leadership structures, and identify ways to create more equitable and accessible pathways for women
- Critically assess the glass ceiling, tokenism, and imposter syndrome within organisations, and explore strategies to dismantle these barriers to create more inclusive leadership systems
Dr Naznin Tabassum, Senior Lecturer in Strategy and Leadership, University of Derby
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Fireside Chat: Beyond Imposter Syndrome: Succeeding and Thriving in Male-Dominated Fields
- Strengthening confidence, challenging the imposter syndrome, and reframing self-doubt into self-praise in male-dominated workspaces to challenge gender stereotyping and unlock your full career potential
- Outlining how to exercise authority and agentic traits to progress in career pathways that have lower female representation
- Examining barriers to female leadership in the defence sector, breaking ‘the brass ceiling’ to provide pathways to high-ranking officer positions
- Confronting sexism, misogyny and sexualised behaviour in policing and defence to promote gender equality and organisational change in the workplace
Rear Admiral Jude Terry CB OBE, Homeland Defence and TtW Integration Lead, Royal Navy
Case Study: Career Progression for Women from Minority Ethnic Backgrounds
- Explore how to tackle intersectional discrimination to provide inclusive workplaces that empower women from all backgrounds, otherwise risking legal accountability and non-compliance with the Equality Act 2010
- Actionable takeaways from discussing implementation strategies including ‘Pathways to Progress: BME Leadership in the NHS’ to implement policies that targets diverse and equitable career progression opportunities
- Applying strategies to deal with the ‘broken rung’ and dismantle the gender pay gap for ethnic minority women to ensure gender parity is achievable by fixing issues at early career level
- Practicing both active allyship and male allyship in the workplace to support career progression for women from minority backgrounds
Tina Jegede MBE, Joint Director for Inclusion, Whittington Health NHS Trust
Questions and Answers
Lunch Break
Keynote: Women’s Health in the Workplace: Designing Workplaces that Work for Women
- Highlighting the crucial reasons to prioritise women’s health in the workplace, enabling a working environment that retains female talent
- Assessing implementation strategies in preparation for the 2027 mandate of Menopause Action Plans to provide outstanding support for employees going through menopause and certify organisational compliance with government regulations
- Addressing workplace taboos with menstrual health, reproductive health, mental and physical health concerns to provide a positive, supportive and safe working environment for women
- Building a working environment that understands women’s health to maximise productivity, and attracts and retains talent to bolster women’s career progression
Professor Dame Lesley Regan DBE, Women’s Health Ambassador for England, Department of Health and Social Care, Chair, Wellbeing for Women, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College
Case Study: From Networks to Influence: Empowering Women in the Workplace
- Examining the power of networks in male-dominated workplaces and how they contribute to wider diversity and inclusion strategies to foster long-term career success and inclusive and productive workplaces
- Highlighting the impact of Women’s Networks in The Bank of England, targeting different barriers to career progression through supporting childcare, parenthood and supporting women to ensure fulfilling careers
- Assessing the factors that can weaken Women’s Networks and journeys to leadership, providing strategies to overcome this to reframe leadership traits and behaviours
- Personal insights into the impact of networks on career progression, understanding their importance in creating confidence, resilience and having supportive connections to overcome career obstacles
Jem Davis, Chief Compliance Officer, Bank of England
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Amplifying Women’s Voices and Influence
- Consider how women can communicate with impact and authenticity, and the role that confidence, self-advocacy and ambition play in shaping leadership opportunities and career development, alongside the influence of persistent stereotypes and other barriers
- The importance of challenging assumptions, broadening ideas of what leadership looks like, and creating environments where diverse voices and authentic leadership styles are recognised and valued
- Showcase the power of mentorship, sponsorship and strong professional networks in helping women accelerate their careers and achieve their full potential
Laura Lucking, Executive Director, National Audit Office (NAO)
Verity Prime, Executive Director, National Audit Office (NAO)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Professor Karen Jones, University of Reading
Conference Close
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OnDemand
Full access to the OnDemand conference – get instant access after purchase to expert insights and curated content, including recordings of the sessions and downloadable presentation decks for speakers who have given permission for their materials to be shared.
2026 Speakers
Professor Karen Jones
University of Reading
Gillian Unsworth
Deputy Director of the Women's Equality Division
Cabinet Office
Dr Naznin Tabassum
Senior Lecturer in Strategy and Leadership
University of Derby
Tina Jegede MBE
Joint Director for Inclusion
Whittington Health NHS Trust
Professor Dame Lesley Regan DBE
Women’s Health Ambassador for England, Chair, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Department of Health and Social Care, Wellbeing for Women, Imperial College
Jem Davis
Chief Compliance Officer
The Bank of England
Laura Lucking
Executive Director
National Audit Office (NAO)
Verity Prime
Executive Director
National Audit Office (NAO)
Testimonials
Really informative and thought provoking day – brilliant to hear from like minded inspirational women!
This was my first time attending such an event and will definitely attend more. The speakers were very knowledgeable in their respective topics and I have taken away some great ideas which I am excited to share with the other network leads in my organisation.
Great event, well organised with a range of interesting speakers with diverse perspectives.
The Women in Public Sector Leadership Conference helped support me at a time I didn’t feel very confident in myself. It has allowed me to help start figure a new direction for myself.
A varied and interesting event showcasing inspirational and relatable stories.
Excellent event. Informative, engaging and interesting. I would recommend it to everyone.
A great set of speakers, sharing valuable insights that help drive opportunities for aspiring female leaders.
