Women into Leadership Edinburgh

Thursday 16 May 2024 | In partnership with the FDA

Now in its 13th year, the annual Women into Leadership conferences have established themselves as the key events for all those interested in enhancing leadership opportunities for women. Taking place in Edinburgh, the Women into Leadership conference will examine how female leaders, at any grade, can enhance their skills to become the leader they aspire to be.

The conference 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, discuss together how you can manage the challenges of modern leadership 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 as well as the challenges to future leaders in the Civil Service, and learn 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 in the Civil Service

Register your place today

08:30

Registration 

09:15

Chair Welcome & Introduction

Fiona Eadie, FDA Executive Committee and former FDA President

09:30

Opening Address

Purpose-driven leadership: leading with purpose and inspiring a positive culture of inclusion in challenging times

Fiona Hogg, Chief People Officer, Directorate of Health Workforce, Scottish Government

10:05

Transition to Breakout Sessions

10:15

Breakout Session A

Having impact: from language to body language

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

10:15

Breakout Session B

Managing wellbeing: best practice in improving individual and team wellbeing

Lucille Thirlby, Assistant General Secretary, FDA

10:15

Breakout Session C

Preparing for your next role: are you ready for a promotion?

Richard Hillsdon, Civil Service Selection Consultant, ex-CS occupational psychologist and Senior Civil Servant

11:15

Comfort break

11:45

Morning Plenary Address

Authenticity: determining your personal leadership style and priorities with confidence

Miriam Craven, Chief Operating Officer, Social Security Scotland

12:20

Transition to Breakout Sessions

12:30

Breakout Session D

Quietly visible: building your brand as an introvert leader

Carol Stewart, Founding Director, Abounding Solutions

12:30

Breakout Session E

Writing to impress: an interactive masterclass on selection and promotion

Richard Hillsdon, Civil Service Selection Consultant, ex-CS occupational psychologist and Senior Civil Servant

12:30

Breakout Session F

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

13:30

Lunch

14:30

Afternoon Plenary Address

Leading from the middle: developing your profile and creating impact at any grade

Julie Marshall-Wilson, Leadership and Portfolio Management, Cabinet Office
Lorna Couper, Senior Transformation Partner, Cabinet Office
Ceilidh MacDonald, Senior Policy Lead, Border Strategy and Design, Cabinet Office

15:10

Closing Address

From imposter to empowered: overcoming self-doubt to smash your own glass ceiling

Jude McCorry, Chief Executive Officer, Cyber and Fraud Centre

15:50

Chair’s Closing Remarks

Fiona Eadie, FDA Executive Committee and former FDA President