Progressing Women into Leadership Conference 2023
Online Conference 15 August 2023, 9:00am - 3:00pm
9:00am
Online Registration
9:30am
Chair’s Welcome Address
Judith Milne, Entrepreneur and Businesswoman, Senior Leader in the Aviation Industry
9:40am
Morning Keynote: How difficult is it for women to pursue a career in leadership?
- My own experience – and how I’ve broken through ‘the glass ceiling’
- Practical solutions that can help facilitate women’s advancement in the workplace
Julie Dennis, Head of Inclusive Workplace, Acas
10:00am
Underrepresentation of Women of Colour – Alarming Data
- Sex & Power Index 2022 – the alarming underrepresentation of women of colour in leadership positions in the UK
- Broken Ladders report – the reality of racism in work context and the impact it is having on women of colour
- Recommendations – what is going to create real change?
Alesha De-Freitas, Director of Policy, Research and Advocacy, Fawcett Society
10:20am
Keynote Address: Gender Equality at Work – Working Arrangements that Can Make a Difference
- Flexible working as a tool for enhancing efficiency and driving productivity
- The role of flexible working in advancing Gender Equality
- The success of the #Flexfrom1st campaign
- How do we ensure that flexible roles are offered the same progression opportunities?
Claire McCartney, Senior Policy Adviser, Resourcing and Inclusion, CIPD
10:40am
Questions And Answers Session
11:00am
Break and Networking
11:30am
Breaking the Patterns – Ensuring Equal Opportunities for Pregnant Workers and Working Mothers
- Understanding the landscape of maternity discrimination in the UK, and its impact on women’s career progression
- Raising standards – reducing the number of women having to argue their rights, and supporting a positive relationship with employers
- The importance of monitoring employers on maternity retention, as well as the need for the law to provide redundancy protection
- The need for change that goes beyond workplace policy – a necessary systemic shift
Ros Bragg, Director, Maternity Action
11:50am
Panel Session: Taking a Closer Look at Male-Dominated Sectors – common themes or specific challenges?
- Judith Milne, Entrepreneur, Businesswoman and a Senior Leader in the Aviation Industry
- Roni Savage, Founder and Managing Director, Jomas Associates
- Sigra Sharma, Leader, DE&I Advocate and Mentor in the Energy Sector
- Chloe Xidhas, Operations Manager, BW
- Kate Whatley, Director, Women in Roofing
Click to view speakers
12:30pm
Questions And Answers Session
12:50pm
Lunch And Networking
1:40pm
Mentoring – Facilitating Women’s Progression by Fostering Mentoring Relationships
- Formal and informal mentoring
- Case study: alta mentoring programme
Professor Sue Durbin, Professor in Human Resource Management, University of West England
2:00pm
Importance of Networking - A Platform For Knowledge Sharing
- How does networking help women in male-dominated industries?
- Examples of successful professional women's networks and their role in career progression
- The difference between internal and external networking
Dr Vanda Papafilippou, Senior Lecturer in Human Resources Management, University of the West of England
2:20pm
Male Allies – Do Women Need Men on Their Journey to Success?
- Real-life experience of gender bias during hiring process for executive positions
- The value of women on leadership teams – a male perspective!
- How can men help create the necessary changes to facilitate a truly gender-equal senior team?
Dr Syano Musyimi, CEO, Ipsus Human Capital
2:40pm
Questions And Answers
3:00pm
Chair’s Summary And Close
Judith Milne, Entrepreneur and Businesswoman, Senior Leader in the Aviation Industry