Women Empowering Defence

We are excited to announce our upcoming in-person partner event, WEDPresents - Round Table: Increasing Diversity in the Recruitment Funnel, scheduled for next month. Hosted by boxxe and led by Janes, this event will unite top HR and Talent Acquisition professionals to explore and advance strategies for building a more inclusive recruitment process. This unique roundtable discussion will address the latest challenges, share innovative practices, and highlight actionable solutions for embedding diversity throughout every stage of the recruitment journey—from outreach and sourcing to onboarding and retention. Together with our partners, we aim to foster an environment of collaboration, insight-sharing, and concrete action steps that can drive impactful progress toward greater inclusivity. We look forward to the inspiring conversations and collaborative efforts that will emerge from this gathering. #WED #Collaboration #DiversityinRecruitment #Inclusivity #HRInnovation #TalentTalks #Defence #HRLeaders #Networking

Congratulations to Natalie Maddox-Hussain, WED Co-Founder, and Gemma Vinton, WED Podcast Lead, who were honoured yesterday at Wiltshire Police Headquarters with the Deputy Chief Constable’s Certificate of Excellence in Teamwork. This prestigious recognition highlights their exceptional dedication and steadfast commitment in collaborating with the Wiltshire Police VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) team.   Their nomination acknowledges the pivotal role both played in planning, hosting, and facilitating Wiltshire Police's second VAWG Conference, themed ‘Seldom Heard Voices.’ Their efforts have been instrumental in amplifying critical conversations and driving impactful change within the community. #WEDLeaders #ViolenceAgainstWomen #EmpowerChange #TeamworkExcellence #SeldomHeardVoices #InclusionMatters #WomenInLeadership #WiltshirePolice #VAWG #MakingADifference #WomensVoices #DiversityInAction  

Wishing the best of luck to Daniel Cairns and Emma Morgan, valued members of the #WED Leadership Team, who are up for two awards tonight at the LGBTQ+ Defence Awards! 🌈✨ Your dedication to promoting inclusivity and driving positive change within the defence sector is truly inspiring. Being nominated is a testament to the incredible impact you both have made, and we couldn’t be prouder of you both. We’re cheering you on and know you'll continue to inspire, no matter the outcome! 💫 #LGBTQDefenceAwards #Proud #TeamWED

We’re excited to continue our #WEDAsks series with Verity Nortcliff, Learning and Development Partner at boxxe! Verity’s journey from a Purchasing Assistant to Procurement Manager and now in Learning and Development showcases her dedication to growth and nurturing talent. Verity shares insights on her career path, leadership strategies, and how she balances a fulfilling family life with professional success. Here are some key takeaways: ✨ On Career Planning: Verity’s career evolved naturally through her passion for working with people, first in Procurement and now in Learning & Development. ✨ Inspiring Others: She leads by example—being authentic, adaptable, and relatable. ✨ Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Verity emphasises the importance of acknowledging feelings and leaning on trusted colleagues for support. ✨ Leadership Development: Effective delegation, adaptability, and open communication are key in her leadership approach. ✨ Online Presence: Verity believes in building your personal brand as it creates credibility, trust, and sets you apart in the industry. ✨ Barriers for Women: Verity highlights challenges like implicit bias, workplace inflexibility, and maternal bias that hinder women from reaching top leadership roles—and how a supportive, flexible employer has been crucial in her own journey. 💬 Want more insights? Read the full interview with Verity on how she navigates leadership, supports professional growth, and champions work-life balance. https://lnkd.in/eHxCSJ5F #WomenEmpoweringDefence #WED #Leadership #GenderEquality #DefenceIndustry #Boxxe #PersonalBranding #WorkLifeBalance #WomenInLeadership

Is confidence overrated? Opinions may vary, but it is clear that confidence is malleable and can be cultivated through a mindset shift. For too long, women at the peak of their careers have adopted traditionally male traits to reach the C-suite, often at the expense of their wellbeing. A Stanford Business School study found that women who combine both male and female qualities achieve more than their peers. This balance requires self-awareness, a key trait of successful leaders. In her book, Hira Ali explores how societal and cultural conditioning reinforces stereotypes. Many of the women she surveyed recognised the "gender discount" — where a man is assumed competent until proven otherwise, while women must prove their competence to be taken seriously. Success and likability are positively correlated for men, but successful women are often viewed as overly ambitious or bossy. The professional penalties for men and women differ significantly, further fuelling female self-doubt. Research shows that women enter the workforce with less confidence than men. A Girlguiding study revealed that 63% of girls aged 7-10 feel confident, but this drops to just 31% by ages 17-21. Similarly, the American Association of University Women found that girls leave adolescence with lower self-esteem and expectations than boys. A 2011 survey by the UK’s Institute of Leadership and Management found that half of the female respondents reported self-doubt in their careers, compared to less than a third of men. While generally boys maintain their confidence as they grow into men, societal pressures often lead girls to suppress their ambitions and temper their confidence. The once self-assured 13-year-old often becomes a hesitant 20-30-year-old, doubting her success. Hira Ali’s session on Empowering Confidence and Self-Advocacy for emerging leaders in Women Empowering Defence was rooted in her personal experiences and research. She provided practical, evidence-based strategies to help women reclaim their confidence and effectively advocate for themselves in male-dominated environments.

Women Empowering Defence Event Spotlight: The Generation Game - Assembling and Getting the most from a Multi-Generational Workforce. 🗓️ Tuesday, 22nd October at 11 AM 📍 Brought to you by The HR World, proudly sponsored by Sanderson Government & Defence.  In today’s rapidly evolving defence industry, diversity is the key to innovation and success. This event brings together a powerhouse panel of industry leaders to explore the unique benefits of building an age-diverse, multi-generational workforce that thrives in today’s competitive landscape. Featuring: 🎙️ Nick Walrond, Managing Director, Sanderson Government & Defence   🎙️ Andrea Metherell, Head of Diversity, Equity & Wellbeing, Capgemini   🎙️ Juliet Crisp, Head of People Strategy, Governance & Planning, Post Office Ltd Discover the strategies that leading businesses are using to attract, recruit, and engage talent across generations. Learn how to leverage the skills and capabilities of a diverse team to drive innovation and success, while ensuring inclusion across the workforce. 💡 Why you should attend: ✅ Understand the unique pressures and motivations of multi-generational teams   ✅ Learn the best practices for building a workforce that thrives on diversity   ✅ Hear from industry experts about creating sustainable, inclusive cultures Don’t miss this opportunity to empower your business with actionable insights! 🔗 Register now and take the next step towards workforce excellence: https://lnkd.in/eERjK4sg #WomenEmpoweringDefence #DiversityAndInclusion #HRWorld #AgeDiverseWorkforce #Leadership #EmpoweringWomen #SandersonDefence #MultiGenerationalWorkforce #HRLeadership

Women Empowering Defence Event Spotlight: Business Transformation in the Age of AI 🚨 Hosted by Experis UK in partnership with techUK, this event brings together industry leaders and innovators to explore the future of technology and its transformative impact on businesses. Whether you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve or drive innovation, this is the place to be. 📅 When: 07 November, 12:00 – 17:30 📍 Where The Watershed, Bristol Why attend? 🌟 Hear from government experts at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Cabinet Office alongside commercial leaders from Oracle, Amazon, BBC, BT Group, University of the West of England, and more! 🌟 Key topics include: - Emerging Tech Trends: AI, automation, and the evolving workforce - Bridging the Skills Gap: Reskilling strategies and diversity in tech - Ethical Practices: Responsible business in the age of AI The event will equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate the evolving tech landscape and build a sustainable, ethical, and inclusive future for your business. 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/ecAjPg5C Spaces are limited—don’t miss out! #AI #BusinessTransformation #TechInnovation #FutureOfWork #Reskilling #DiversityInTech #EmergingTech #BristolEvents

Excited to announce our latest interview in the Women Empowering Defence #HeForShe series, featuring Ross Lloyd-Bennett, a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the Royal Navy! 🚢⚓️ Ross, a Weapons Engineer and Communications Information Specialist Submariner, shares his inspiring journey, his dedication to the LGBTQ+ network, and how representation and inclusivity are transforming the submarine service. His commitment to fostering equality for all—whether it’s breaking down gender barriers or creating a more inclusive culture for women and LGBTQ+ personnel—is truly remarkable. In this interview, Ross touches on: - His planned path to success in the Royal Navy and the critical role of support from his family. - The positive changes he's witnessed in making submarines more inclusive for women. - The importance of breaking stigmas and increasing representation to attract more women to the submarine service. - What the Defence sector can gain by maximising the talents of both genders—fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Ross’s insights remind us all of the importance of striving for continuous improvement in gender equality and inclusion, not only in the Royal Navy but across the defence sector as a whole. Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eRn-S7iX Let’s keep pushing for progress, diversity, and equal representation! 💪 #WomenEmpoweringDefence #DiversityAndInclusion #GenderEquality #LGBTQInclusion #Defence

At Women Empowering Defence, we believe in supporting initiatives that uplift and protect women. That’s why we proudly stand behind FearFree Charity, an organisation dedicated to providing life-saving support for victims of domestic abuse across the South West of the UK. Every year, FearFree helps over 9,000 women and girls, rebuild their lives free from fear and violence. The pandemic has drastically increased the need for their services, with calls for help doubling. Your support can make a real difference. Please consider donating to help FearFree continue their essential work: https://lnkd.in/eWv2V9bJ Together, we can create a future where no woman has to live in fear. #WomenEmpoweringDefence #SupportFearFree #EndDomesticAbuse #DonateNow

🌟 Meet Jenny Naylor, FCMI, Assoc CIPD: A Leader Shaping Culture & Behaviors at the UK Ministry of Defence 🌟 From starting as an E1 in Glasgow to now Assistant Head Culture & Behaviours (at time of writing) for the Defence Commercial Function at MOD, Jenny Naylor’s journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and fortitude. Over her 27-year career, Jenny has thrived through diverse roles, including military service in Kosovo, juggling life as a Forces spouse, and navigating challenges across the globe. Jenny's not just a leader—she's a mentor, known as “the sage” by her team, always empowering others with her people-first approach. Her advice to young women? Stay curious, ask questions, and never forget the power of connection. In Jenny's own words: “Be curious, not judgmental.” 🚀 Her career may not have been carefully planned, but Jenny's openness to growth and relentless drive have made her an inspiration. She's aiming even higher, striving for her next promotion, proving there’s no limit to ambition when you lead with passion and empathy. 💬 Read more about Jenny's inspiring career journey where she shares invaluable lessons on leadership, confidence, and breaking barriers: https://lnkd.in/erBPDS5w #Leadership #WomenEmpoweringDefence #MOD #CareerJourney #StayCurious #Fortitude #WED