Women into Leadership London

Tuesday 19 September | in partnership with the FDA

Now in its thirteenth year, the annual Women into Leadership conferences have established themselves as the key events for all those interested in enhancing leadership opportunities for women. Women into Leadership 2023 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 (and future 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 in the Civil Service

08:30

Registration 

09:15

Chair Welcome & Introduction

Chair: Margaret Haig, Vice President, FDA

09:30

Permanent Secretary Opening Address

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

SPEAKER: Sarah Munby, Permanent Secretary, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

10:05

Transition to Breakout Sessions

10:15

Breakout Session A

Quietly visible: building your brand as an introvert leader

SPEAKER: Katie Driver, Founding Director, Thinking Alliance

10:15

Breakout Session B

Managing wellbeing: best practice in improving individual and team wellbeing

SPEAKER: Lucille Thirlby, Assistant General Secretary, FDA

10:15

Breakout Session C

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

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

10:15

Breakout Session D

Having impact: from language to body language

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

11:15

Comfort break

11:45

Morning Plenary Address

Authenticity: determining your personal leadership style and priorities with confidence

SPEAKER: Jaee Samant, Director General, Home Office

12:20

Transition to Breakout Sessions

12:30

Breakout Session E

The power of mentoring: how to seek it out and optimise your support

Speaker: Payal Walker, Business Matchmaker and Mentor

12:30

Breakout Session F

Cultural intelligence: working confidently in different cultures and enhancing your leadership capacity

SPEAKER: Jennifer Izekor, CEO and Founder, Above Difference

12:30

Breakout Session G

Writing to impress: an interactive masterclass on selection and promotion

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

12:30

Breakout Session H

Communicating for results: how to negotiate with confidence

SPEAKER: 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

SPEAKER: Lolade Onabolu, Senior Programme Director, Home Office

SPEAKER: Jaspal Roopra, Director of People, Barts NHS Trust

SPEAKER: Keela Shackell-Smith, Inclusion Manager, Food Standards Agency

15:10

Closing Address

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

SPEAKER: Farrah Storr, Head of Writer Partnerships at Substack UK, former Editor of ELLE UK & Cosmopolitan

15:50

Chair’s Closing Remarks followed by Networking Drinks