Shaping the Future of Women in Leadership Conference 2026: Developing Pathways to Senior Roles and Rewarding Careers
Thank You
Our 2026 conference has now taken place. Thank you to everyone who spoke, attended, and supported the Shaping the Future of Women in Leadership Conference 2026.
Missed out this year? You can still watch all the insights, key sessions, and expert discussions with our OnDemand Event. Access full recordings of every session, including presentations from leading industry speakers, and watch at your own pace.
Why Watch OnDemand?
- Watch on your own schedule – no need to clear your calendar or worry about time zones
- Learn at your own pace – pause, rewind, and rewatch key moments to fully absorb the content
- Get instant access after purchase to expert insights and curated content, perfect for busy professionals who want high-value content on demand
Overview
In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the insufficient inclusion of women in leadership roles. Despite progress in gender equality policies and national EDI guidance, significant adjustments are still needed to support the career progression of women in industry
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Rosie Clarke, Principal Consultant, Inclusive Employers (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Identifying Structures that Hinder the Advancement of Women Leaders
Session Coming Soon
Cllr. Hilaria Asumu, Councillor at Walkden South, Salford City Council and President Elect, Rotary Club (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Developing Pathways to Leadership
- Identifying the skills and experiences most valued in senior leadership roles
- Exploring strategies for overcoming barriers unique to women executives
- Learning how to position yourself for promotion or board-level opportunities
- Case studies of successful women who transitioned to executive roles
Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell, Chief Executive, The 10,000 Interns Foundation (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: How Women’s ‘Inner Conversations’ Shape Their Outer Realities
- Explores how women’s “inner conversations”—their internal self-talk—shapes their leadership identity, agency, and effectiveness at work
- Draws on 20+ years of leadership coaching experience and insights from 150 women leaders across diverse industries and geographies
- Introduces a conceptual framework linking inner dialogue to structural barriers, identity, and organisational context
- Shares a four-step process for reframing limiting inner conversations into empowering narratives that enhance leadership impact
- Uses real life examples, to illustrate the reframing process and offers actionable strategies for organisations and women leaders
Meenakshi Krishan, Principal Research Fellow, Institute for Employment Studies (CONFIRMED)
Fireside Chat: Motherhood Vs. Leadership? Addressing the Motherhood Penalty to Remove Barriers for Women into Senior Roles
- Understand why addressing the motherhood penalty at work is crucial
- Identify parental transition points which constrict the senior leadership pipeline
- Discover how to support mothers’ return to work and remove barriers for career progression in your organisation
- Challenge common assumptions of leadership vs. motherhood
- Highlight the importance of considering intersectionality when tackling the inequalities mothers can face within their parenthood journey
- Explore how our practical toolkits can help parents and organisations develop a more inclusive talent management approach
Dr Jill Miller, Research Associate, The Open University (CONFIRMED)
Dr. Wenjin Dai is a Senior Lecturer in Leadership and Diversity, The Open University (CONFIRMED)
Kendal Wright, Lecturer in Policing in the School of Law, The Open University (CONFIRMED)
Dr Keely Duddin, Chartered Psychologist and Senior Lecturer, The Open University (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Lunch Break
Case Study: Advancing the Careers of Women Through Networks
- Discussing how external, specialty-based networks can provide peer support, beyond a single organisation
- Examining the impact of a network in increasing confidence and progression into senior clinical and academic roles
- Strategies for establishing impactful professional networks across Trusts, academia, and regional alliances
- Utilising external networks to shape leadership pathways, and support equal opportunities across the healthcare system
Helen Winter, Honorary Associate Professor, Clinical Director University of Bristol NHS SWAG Cancer Alliance (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Vocational Learning: Building Pathways to Employment and Leadership for Women
- Outlining how vocational learning frameworks can support leadership development early in education and training
- Demonstrating how vocational learning programmes equip women with the practical skills needed for career progression
- Highlighting case studies where vocational training has led directly to leadership roles in specific sectors
- Exploring strategies to design vocational curricula that support employability and leadership development from the start
Dr Miri Firth, Senior Higher Education Leader Expert in Employability, Inclusive Assessment & Education Policy, University of Manchester (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Breakout Networking: Measuring the Impact of Gender Equality Initiatives: Overcoming Challenges and Sharing Successes
This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in measuring the successes and failures of gender equality initiatives in your organisations. You will gain insights from colleagues across the sector and discuss challenges and solutions.
Comfort Break
Keynote: Social Identities Shape Leadership Presence
- Exploring how social categorisation influences women’s experiences in leadership roles.
- Identifying the power dynamics that impact the career trajectory of women from diverse backgrounds.
- Developing awareness and understanding of the internal (e.g. stereotype threat) and external (stereotypes) challenges women in leadership face.
- Creating environments where diverse leadership is truly accepted.
Yasmeen Hussain, Business Psychologist, Non-Exeutive Board Member, Qualifications Scotland (CONFIRMED)
Dr Kellyanne Findlay, Deputy Head of School of Psychological Sciences, University of Strathclyde (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: AI and the Future of Women in Leadership
Bharathi Kommana, AI Workforce Specialist, and Women’s Employee Resource Group, Microsoft (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Rosie Clarke, Principal Consultant, Inclusive Employers (CONFIRMED)
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Previous Speakers
Professor Susan Marlow
Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Nottingham University Business School
Marina Glasgow
Chief Conciliator
ACAS
Jayde Howard
Lecturer in Business Management
University of South Wales
Sandra Kerr
Race Director
Business in the Community
Testimonials
Excellent conference today – outstanding speakers clearly at the forefront of the field.
Relevant, insightful and practical – thank you for all the powerful takeaways.
A really interesting event, with a great range of speakers.
Why You Should Attend?
Why Attend:
- High-level keynotes on the latest initiatives on supporting women to lead in the workplace from policymakers and leading experts
- Case studies showing best practice examples of empowering women to lead effectively through mentorship and flexible working
- Network with senior colleagues from across the public sector
- Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Who Should Attend?
| Job Title Example | Organisation Example |
| Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Director | Government Department |
| Head of Talent & Development | Financial Services |
| Partner | Professional Services / Consultancy |
| Director of Workforce | NHS Trust |
| Vice-Chancellor | University |
| Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | Large Corporate / Multinational |
| Director of People | National Sports Body |
| Chief Diversity Officer | Technology Company |
| Gender Equality Campaign Lead | Non-Profit Organisation |
| HR Director | Commercial Bank |
Pricing Options
Public Sector
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship
Raise your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us using the enquiry form below.
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
