Women into Leadership Online

Wednesday 15th July 2026 | Online | in partnership with the FDA

Now in its 15th year, the annual Women into Leadership conferences have established themselves as the key events for all those interested in seeing leadership opportunities for women enhanced. Women into Leadership 2025 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 years’ 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 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:

• Take part online - from anywhere you choose
• 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

09:15

Chair's welcome and Introduction

09:30

Permanent Secretary Opening address                                                                                       

Leading with purpose: driving mission-led change in the modern Civil Service

10:00

Transition to breakout sessions

10:15

Breakout session A

Running the room: Speaking with confidence and authority in high-stakes situations

10:15

Breakout session B

From stress to strength: bouncing back with resilience

10:15

Breakout session C

Preparing for Your next grade: Are you Application and Interview Ready? 

Richard Hillsdon, Civil Service Selection Consultant; Former Senior Civil Servant

11:15

Comfort Break

11:15

One-to-one spot mentoring

Informal 10-minute sessions with a Civil Service Selection Consultant.

Available on the day -- no pre-booking required.

Open to civil servants at all grades and from all departments.

Ideal for career advice and leadership insight.

11:45

Plenary Address 

Authenticity in action: owning your story in leadership

12:30

Breakout session D

Communicating for results: how to negotiate with impact

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

12:30

Breakout session E

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

12:30

Breakout session F

Managing difficult conversations

13:30

Lunch

13:50

One-to-one spot mentoring

Informal 10-minute sessions with a Civil Service Selection Consultant.

Available on on the day -- no pre-booking required.

Open to civil servants at all grades and from all departments.

Ideal for career advice and leadership insight.

14:30

Afternoon Plenary Address

Growing through uncertainty: confident leadership in a time of innovation

15:10

Final Plenary Address

Climbing together: leadership that lifts 

15:50

Chair's closing remarks