8 March 2025, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Council Chamber, City Hall, Bristol - Part of Bristol Women’s Voice IWD celebrations

Representative, Diverse & Inclusive Boards – A Powerful IWD Panel Discussion

As part of the Bristol Women's Voice's International Women’s Day event on 8th March, we hosted a thought-provoking panel on how to make boards more diverse and inclusive—and the conversation was nothing short of inspiring.

With 70+ attendees, this was one of the larger panels of the day, a testament to how crucial this conversation is.

💡 Key takeaways from our panelists:

✅ Invest in youth—the next generation of leaders needs opportunities now.
✅ Uplift underrepresented voices—true diversity means listening, amplifying, and acting.
✅ Make boards accessible—break down barriers, not just acknowledge them.
✅ Support one another—real progress happens when we stand together and lift each other up.
✅ Create inclusive spaces—it’s not enough to open the door; we must make people feel welcome.

Sandra Gordon closed with a powerful reminder of the day's origins:
"International Women's Day was born out of protest. In 1908, 15,000 women—mostly factory workers—marched through New York demanding shorter hours, better pay, and the right to vote.
It feels as if we haven't moved on very much… The fight is still about power: who holds it, who’s denied it, and who has to work harder for less of it."

And this rings true in our boardrooms today. Leadership remains overwhelmingly male and overwhelmingly white. Despite the talk of diversity, only 10 out of Fortune 500 CEOs are women—and the intersection of race and gender makes these figures even starker.

Hosting this discussion in the Bristol City Council chambers—where decisions affecting our communities are made—was a poignant reminder of what’s at stake when representation is missing.

At Bristol Women in Business Charter, we believe that gender balance isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for organisations to truly thrive. We provide the frameworks, tools, and support to help businesses move beyond words and make real change happen.

👏Thank you to our panel host & chair Nick Sturge MBE, our panelists & speakers Dr. Lara Mosunmola Lalemi, Lewis Wedlock, Lisa Smith, Sandra Trotman Meadows MBE, FRSA & Richard Harries, as well as Bristol Women's Voice, all attendees, and everyone working to build a more inclusive future.

The conversation doesn’t stop here. If your organisation is serious about making leadership more diverse, get in touch with us! 🚀

Let’s keep pushing for progress—not just on IWD, but every day. 💪

Sandra Gordon Kristal McNamara Sonia Cohen Sarah Rice Lucy Kirmond Helen Farmer Laura C Aiken James Durie Nick Sturge MBE Bianca Jones Emma Fry Emilie Culwick Jess Woodsford