Women into Leadership Manchester

Thursday 4th December| in partnership with the FDA

Now in its fifteenth year, the annual Women into Leadership conferences have established themselves as the key events for all those interested in enhancing leadership opportunities for women. Women into Leadership will examine how female leaders, at any grade, can enhance their skills to become the leader they aspire to be.

In 2025, we’re continuing that legacy – stronger, bolder, and more focused than ever.

This year’s conference will combine fresh insights with tried-and-tested advice, shaped by feedback and ideas from our latest 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 mission-led leadership challenges and help ensure the Civil Service doesn’t lose momentum in recognising and rewarding female leaders.

The benefits of attending Women into Leadership include the opportunity to:

• 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
• Network with peers and counterparts from across Government who are also contemplating furthering their careers in the Civil Service

08:30

Registration  

09:20

Chair’s welcome and introduction

Leila Kelly, Vice President, FDA Union 

09:30

 Permanent Secretary Opening address 

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

 Angela MacDonald, Second Permanent Secretary, HM Revenue & Customs

10:05

Transition to breakout sessions 

10:15

Breakout session A

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

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

10:15

Breakout session B

From stress to strength: bouncing back with resilience

Dina Rana, Executive Coach & Senior Marketing Leader, Dina Rana Coaching

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

Networking and refreshments 

11:10

One-to-one spot mentoring

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

Available on a drop-in basis -- no pre-booking required.

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

Ideal for career advice and leadership insight.

11:45

Morning Plenary Address 

Authenticity in action: owning your story in leadership

Caroline Croft, Director General, Employment with Economic Recovery and UK Governance Group, Government Legal Department

12:20

Transition to breakout sessions

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 Art

12:30

Breakout session E:

Managing difficult conversations

Amelia Dowler, National Officer (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion), FDA

12:30

Breakout session F

Taking control of your performance management

Dina Rana, Executive Coach & Senior Marketing Leader, Dina Rana Coaching

13:30

Lunch  

13:50

One-to-one spot mentoring

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

Available on a drop-in basis -- 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

Caroline Cole, Deputy Director, Government Legal Department

15:10

Final Plenary Address

Climbing together: leadership that lifts

Jaspreet Kaur, Writer Poet and Teacher, Behind the Netra

15:50

Chair's Closing Remarks

Leila Kelly, Vice President, FDA Union