Women into Leadership Birmingham

Thursday 20 March | in partnership with the FDA

Now in its fourteenth year, the annual Women into Leadership conferences have established themselves as key events for all those interested in enhancing leadership opportunities for women. Women into Leadership 2025 will examine how female leaders, at any grade, can enhance their skills to become the leader they aspire to be.

This year's conferences will draw on feedback from previous Women into Leadership events, as well as discussions that took place at this year’s planning meeting. The conferences will offer hands-on advice and coaching on how to further develop your career in times of change.

You will hear from inspirational women of all grades and levels, within and outside the Civil Service. You’ll discuss together how you can manage modern leadership challenges and help ensure the Civil Service doesn’t lose momentum in recognising and rewarding female leaders.

The benefits of attending Women into Leadership include the opportunity to:

• Examine the barriers currently facing female leaders in the Civil Service and hear how to overcome them
• Hear from a diverse range of senior civil servants, as well as inspirational leaders from outside of the Civil Service
• Gain a deeper understanding of the skills, qualities and attributes needed to be a successful leader
• Design your own breakout session schedule based on your own needs and aspirations
• Learn how to be an effective leader
• Network with peers and counterparts from across Government who are also contemplating furthering their careers

08:30

Registration  

09:15

Chair’s Welcome and Introduction 

Beatriz Brown, Vice President, FDA

09:30

Opening Address

Leading with courage

Shona Dunn, Chief Executive, St. John’s Ambulance; Former Second Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care

10:05

Transition to breakout sessions 

10:15

Breakout session A: Introversion in Leadership: unleashing your quiet power

10:15

Breakout session B: Calm and Confident: overcoming performance anxiety for Effective Public Speaking

Cath Baxter, Professional Voice and Public Speaking Consultant & former Head of Voice, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts

10:15

Breakout session C: Prepare for your next role: are you ready for a promotion?

Richard Hillsdon, Civil Service Selection Consultant, Former Senior Civil Servant

11:15

Networking and refreshments 

11:45

Plenary Address 

Finding your authentic self: purpose, passion and value-led leadership 

Karina Singh, Director, Infrastructure and Projects Authority, Cabinet Office

12:20

Transition to breakout sessions 

12:30

Breakout session D:

Managing Employee Wellbeing for Managers 

Amelia Dowler, National Officer Equality Diversity & Inclusion, FDA

12:30

Breakout session E: Communicating for results: how to negotiate with confidence

Cath Baxter, Professional Voice and Public Speaking Consultant & former Head of Voice, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts

12:30

Breakout session F: Writing to impress: an interactive masterclass on selection and promotion

Richard Hillsdon, Civil Service Selection Consultant, Former Senior Civil Servant

13:30

Lunch

14:30

Plenary Address 

From uncertainty to certainty: Knowing your worth and asserting your presence

Ali Parish, Deputy Director, Central Delivery Unit, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

15:10

Closing Address 

Pushing forward: embracing change and confronting failure

15:50

Chair’s Closing Remarks

Beatriz Brown, Vice President, FDA