To celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, this podcast features guests doing great work. They amplify women’s voices and help them pursue senior leadership roles.
Ben is joined by Dr Julie Mills, chair of Women Leaders UK. He is also joined by Chantal-Lawren Welch, Marketing Manager at Silverstone Park. She is the Founder of the Women’s Innovation Network.
Celebrating women’s achievements
The guests share what International Women’s Day means to them. They also discuss how their businesses support women at work.
Julie says she always looks forward to 8th March because there is so much going on and so many opportunities to hear from and network with some inspiring business leaders.
However, it also reminds us that the gender pay gap still exists. Women and other marginalised communities still face problems with inclusion and equality at work. Women Leaders UK does amazing work to mentor women, helping them to develop their careers and undertake technical qualifications to allow them to access senior leadership roles.
Chantal sees International Women’s Day as a chance to spotlight amazing women in STEM. Their voices can often go unheard in this male-dominated industry. Only 16% of the engineering workforce is female, but the Women’s Innovation Network are taking strides to encourage young women into STEM through vital community outreach.
The importance of education in spearheading change
Fostering an interest in STEM from a young age helps diversify the workforce. It also exposes children to a range of careers and opportunities.
Through school trips, apprenticeships, and opportunities for young people to get involved, marginalised groups can learn about careers they may have otherwise not considered or faced barriers to pursuing in the past.
Julie and Chantal reflect on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain.” They note that supporting the community and empowering women can directly benefit businesses. This principle applies not only to women but also to many aspects of running a business.
These women leaders have ambitious plans for the future and will continue to uplift the incredible women within the business community. Their work celebrates women every day of the year, not just on the 8th March.
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