International Women’s Day Conference

Arrival & Registration

• Tea & coffee
• Seating and networking

Opening Address

Welcome & Setting the Tone

• Host welcome
• Purpose of the conference
• What delegates should expect to take away from the day

Panel 1 (40 mins)

Beyond the Buzzwords: What Gender Equity Looks Like on a Monday Morning

Session focus
A practical, no-nonsense conversation about what real gender equity looks like in everyday organisational life — beyond strategy documents and campaigns.

Key takeaways

• A checklist for embedding equity into day-to-day decision-making
• How to spot performative vs meaningful action
• What leaders can change immediately inside their teams

Comfort Break

Panel 2 (40 mins)

Promotion or Potential? Fixing the Broken Career Ladder

Session focus
This panel tackles why women stall at middle management and how organisations can redesign progression, performance and promotion processes to be fair and transparent.

Key takeaways

• How to audit promotion pathways for bias
• Practical alternatives to informal progression
• How to identify and sponsor talent earlier

Panel 3 (40 mins)

The Flex Factor: Designing Work That Works for Women (and Everyone Else)

Session focus
Flexible working is no longer optional. This session explores how to design flexibility that supports performance, progression and retention — without career penalties.

Key takeaways

• Flexible models that work in real organisations
• How to redesign roles, not just hours
• Language leaders can use to normalise flexibility

Lunch Break

• Lunch served
• Networking and exhibition visits

Panel 4 (40 mins)

The Pay Gap Isn’t Just About Pay

Session focus
A deeper look at the structural causes of the gender pay gap — from job design and progression to bonuses and part-time penalties — and how to fix them sustainably.

Key takeaways

• How to interpret pay gap data properly
• Actions that tackle root causes, not symptoms
• What organisations often miss in pay reviews

Panel 5 (40 mins)

From Ally to Action: How Leaders Actually Move the Needle

Session focus
This panel focuses on what leaders actually need to do to create change — using influence, budget and authority rather than good intentions.

Key takeaways

• What meaningful allyship looks like in practice
• How to challenge bias without backlash
• Actions leaders can personally commit to

Comfort Break

Closing Panel (40 mins)

Metrics That Matter: Measuring What Actually Changes Outcomes

Session focus
What gets measured gets managed — but many organisations track the wrong things. This session focuses on data that drives real outcomes for women.

Key takeaways

• Metrics beyond representation
• How to track progression, retention and experience
• Questions boards and leadership teams should be asking

Closing Remarks & Call to Action

• Key themes from the day
• Clear next-step actions for organisations
• Signposting to post-event resources and next year