Women in Public Sector Leadership Conference 2025
Past and Present Supporters Include:
Overview
Despite representing over 50% of the public sector workforce, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions, with many facing systemic barriers that hinder their progression. Bridging this leadership gap will not only ensure a more inclusive workforce but will also lead to more effective and equitable public service delivery for all.
- The median gender pay gap in the Civil Service was 8.5% in March 2024
- While 76% of NHS workers are women, only 35% of police officers and 12% of armed forces personnel are (House of Commons, 2024)
- The Civil Service 2022 report shows 54.2% of workers are women, but only 47.3% hold senior leadership positions
Join us at the Women in Public Sector Leadership 2025 Conference to learn from inspiring leading women on overcoming gender barriers, tackling imposter syndrome, and developing confidence. Hear best practice examples of improving representation for minority women, and network with senior colleagues to share experiences and innovative solutions for career progression.
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
Agenda
Registration
Chairs Opening Remarks
Keynote: Elevating Women into Leadership Positions
- Outlining the barriers women face in accessing leadership positions at the same rate as men
- Guidance on developing mentorship programmes that support women early in their careers to develop
- Creating leadership development programs specifically tailored for women
- Highlighting the role of male allies in supporting women’s advancement to leadership
Jessica Hill, People & Culture Director, Ofcom (Invited)
Panel: Breaking Down Barriers to Entry in Male Dominated Fields
- Overcoming the gender and cultural barriers that impact women’s participation in certain fields
- Outlining the importance and benefits of equal gender representation across all areas of the public sector
- Strategies to draw women into senior positions in defence, tech, and policing
- Guidance on supporting women in leadership in these sectors
Representative Invited, Southwark council (Invited)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Empowering Women to be Confident Leaders
- Understanding the causes and effects of imposter syndrome
- Tools and techniques for overcoming self-doubt and building confidence
- Guidance on supporting women to seize opportunities for promotion and career advancement
- Strategies for creating a culture that supports women in leadership and builds confidence
Case Study: Providing Flexible Working Policies to Support Women in the Workplace
- Understanding and implementing the The Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations 2023 across the public sector
- Outlining the importance of flexible working policies to support work-life balance for women in leadership roles
- Understanding flexible working holistically to include flexitime, working from home, compressed hours and staggered hours
- Strategies for ensuring visibility and career progression for women in flexible or remote working setups
Representative invited, UNISON (invited)
Questions and Answers
Lunch Break
Case Study: The Role of Women’s Networks in Career Progression
- Exploring the power of women’s networks in supporting career growth
- Best practice examples of women’s networks that have created opportunities and visibility
- Guidance on how to leverage these networks for mentorship, sponsorship, and career guidance
Sue Griffin, Head of User Support Services, DWP Digital (Invited)
Keynote: Supporting Women from Minority Ethnic Backgrounds
- Guidance on reviewing hiring and promotion practices to ensure that there are equal opportunities for all
- Guidance on creating an inclusive culture that supports women from minority ethnic backgrounds
- Providing resources and support for women from minority ethnic backgrounds in leadership roles
- Celebrating cultural diversity and promoting representation across all areas of the public sector
Questions and Answers
Breakout Networking:
This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in realising your leadership potential and/or empowering other women to lead in the workplace. Share your experiences and discuss key strategies with senior colleagues from the public sector to work towards greater equality in leadership positions.
Comfort Break
Keynote: Tackling the Gender Pay Gap
- Outlining the impact that flexible working policies can have on the gender pay gap
- Creating a sustainable and inclusive leadership pipeline for future generations of women
- Strategies for creating and maintaining a culture of transparency within the public sector
Keynote: The Future of Women in Public Sector Leadership
- Celebrating progress and identifying emerging areas for improvement
- Encouraging young women to pursue leadership positions in the public sector through
- Guidance on adapting leadership to a changing world
- Implementing robust DEI initiatives that consider retention and acquisition in the future of the public sector
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Conference Close
Previous Speakers
Frankie Westoby
Detective Superintendent Senior Leadership Trainer
College of Policing
Samah Shaffakat
Senior Lecturer
University of Liverpool
Patience Ogunbona
Executive Business and Leadership, Speaker, Facilitator and Trainer
ATI Coaching
Sandra Kerr
Race Equality Director
Business in the Community
Professor Lilian Otaye-Ebede
Race Equality Charter Community Visibilty and Staff Sub-group Chair
University of Liverpool
Professor Laura Serrant CBE
Ivana Gordon
Head of Government Grants Management Function Covid-19 Response
Cabinet Office
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.
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 |
| HR Officers | Government |
| EDI Advisors | Civil Services |
| Recruitment Advisors | Schools |
| Employment Managers | Local Councils |
| Line Managers | NHS |
| Diversity Leads | Police |
| Managers |
Pricing Options
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.
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.
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 HERE
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:
