Women in Communications

Thursday, 5th February 2026

Although the PR and communications industry is overwhelmingly female overall, the number of women at board director level and above remains stubbornly low. Our unique Women in Communications conference seeks to provide current and future leaders with the skills to correct this imbalance.

The event explores the role of women in communications and offers practical advice and coaching on how to develop your career and leadership capabilities in times of change. Gather your colleagues and join us for an immersive day of executive coaching. Experienced and inspirational speakers will offer advice to help you manage the challenges of modern leadership, and we will discuss together how to ensure we don't lose momentum in recognising and rewarding female leaders in communications.  
 

Why attend?

• Women in Communications is an engaging platform providing attendees with the unique opportunity to:
• Examine the barriers currently facing female leaders as well as the challenges to future leaders in communications, and learn how to overcome them
• Understand when and how gender plays a role in both organisational and personal advancement
• Learn how successful women negotiate what they need to be effective leaders
• Gain a deeper understanding of the skills, qualities and attributes needed to be a successful leader
• Raise the visibility of women as senior leaders in communications
• Receive video recordings of all sessions after the event
• This event is CPD-certified and contributes to your professional development

08:45

Registration 

09:30

Chair's Introduction & Opening Remarks:

Examining the Current Landscape for Women Across the Communications Sector

• Understanding why women are underrepresented in senior positions  
• Outlining the cultural and practical obstacles to career progression

Laurian Hubbard, Head of Engagement Services, Welsh Parliament; Board of Directors, CIPR

10:00

Navigating Barriers and Enablers as a Female Leader

• Leveraging strengths and tapping into the right resources
• Negotiating for what you need to progress your career
• Flexible working: identifying strategies to create the balance you require
• Seeking out mentorship and sponsorship opportunities

10:45

Networking and Refreshment Break

11:15

Own Your Narrative: Building a Personal Brand That Opens Opportunities  

• How your personal brand shapes how others perceive you as a leader and professional
• Practical techniques to communicate your brand consistently across different channels and contexts
• Reframe and amplify your narrative to unlock new opportunities, increase influence and enhance professional impact

12:00

Preparing for Success: Laying the Groundwork to Communicate With Impact

• Structuring your meetings and preparatory work for maximum effect  
• Managing adrenaline to think clearly under pressure  
• Holding attention in a hybrid environment  

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

13:00

Networking Lunch

14:00

Fireside Chat: Women Who’ve Paved the Way

• A candid conversation with trailblazers in communications leadership on career highs, lows, and how to stay authentic along the journey

Gem Walsh, Chief Operating Officer, Government Communication Service

15:00

Leading a Change in Culture: Where do we go from here?  

• Raising the visibility of women as senior leaders in communications  
• Leadership for all: challenging traditional leadership paths and behaviours
• The importance lifting others as you climb  

Anikka Weerasinghe, Director of Communications & Engagement, House of Commons

15:30

Chair's Closing Remarks

15:45

Event Close