Women into Leadership Newcastle

Thursday 30 January 2025 | in partnership with the FDA

Now in its 14th 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 2024 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

Chair's Introduction

09:20

Chair’s Welcome and Introduction 

09:30

Opening address 

Leading with courage: fostering inclusivity & inspiring positive change 

SPEAKER: Beth Russell, Second Permanent Secretary, HM Treasury

10:00

Transition to breakout sessions 

10:10

Breakout A:

Calm and Confident: overcoming performance anxiety for Effective Public Speaking

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

09:00

Breakout B:

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

SPEAKER: Richard Hillsdon, Civil Service Selection Consultant, ex- Senior Civil Servant

11:10

Networking and refreshments

11:40

Plenary Address 

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

12:10

Transition to breakout sessions 

12:20

Breakout C: 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

12:20

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

SPEAKER: Richard Hillsdon, Civil Service Selection Consultant, ex- Senior Civil Servant

13:20

Lunch

14:20

Afternoon Plenary Address

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

SPEAKER: Davinder Mann, General Counsel, National Wealth Fund

15:00

Closing Address 

Pushing forward: embracing change and confronting failure

SPEAKER: Zoe Hingston LLB, Head of EDI, Newcastle University; Former Head of Inclusion, Newcastle United Football Club

15:45

Chair’s Closing Remarks