International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8th. Its purpose is to commemorate women’s achievements, raise awareness about discrimination, and encourage action towards a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world.
According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, full gender parity will not be achieved until 2158, approximately five generations from now. In response, this year’s theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Accelerate Action.’
Accelerate Action is a worldwide call to recognise and support strategies, resources and activities that positively impact women's advancement.
By observing International Women’s Day, organisations emphasise their support for swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality and call for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face.
Mel B MBE
Singer, television personality and activist
Melanie Brown, famously known as Mel B or “Scary Spice”, rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the best-selling female pop group of all time, the Spice Girls. Throughout their career, the group sold over 100 million records worldwide, becoming cultural icons synonymous with ‘girl power’.
Since then, Mel has established herself as a television personality, talent show judge and activist.
In 2018, Mel revealed her experience of being in a coercive and controlling relationship, leading to her appointment as a patron for the domestic abuse charity, Women’s Aid. As part of her work with Women’s Aid, Mel has launched an economic abuse report at No. 10 Downing Street and advised on a landmark coercive control storyline for British soap opera, Coronation Street.
A passionate advocate for women’s rights, Mel is an inspiring and candid speaker able to highlight the importance of accelerating action based on profound personal insight.
Claire Williams OBE
Pioneering leader in Formula 1
From 2013-2020, Claire Williams was Deputy Team Principal of Williams Formula One racing team, becoming one of only two women to have ever managed teams in Formula One.
As Deputy Team Principal, Claire was responsible for developing strategies for achieving peak performance under pressure and in turn, building and sustaining high-performance teams. Under her leadership, the team achieved better results than they had in over ten years.
During her tenure, Claire was a powerful advocate for greater diversity and inclusion within Williams Racing and across the sport as a whole, working to improve the opportunities provided to women and underrepresented groups. Notably under her leadership, Susie Wolff became the first female racing driver to participate in a Formula 1 race weekend since 1992.
Available for fireside chats, Claire’s efforts advocating for diversity and inclusion, as well as her own experience in a male-dominated industry, place her as an ideal speaker on how to accelerate action successfully.
Helen Glover OBE
Olympic and World rowing champion
Double Olympic champion, three-time world champion, twice European champion and a multiple World Cup gold medal winner – Helen Glover is one of the most decorated athletes in Team GB Rowing history.
Alongside her rowing partner, Heather Stanning, Helen wrote herself into the British history books in 2012 by not only winning Team GB's first gold of the games, but also claiming British rowing's first-ever female gold medal.
In 2021, just 18 months after the birth of her twins, Helen competed at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first British mother to row at an Olympics.
An exemplary example of determination and teamwork, Helen is available for keynote speeches and motivational talks.
Suzanne Williams QPM
Hostage and kidnap negotiator
Suzanne Williams is a hostage and kidnap negotiator who has worked on some of the most high-profile hostage crises around the globe.
She has advised government ministers during cabinet office briefings, worked on the Royal Protection senior management team and been seconded to the FBI as a hostage negotiator.
Suzanne began her career in the police, specialising in kidnappings, sieges, suicide prevention and bank robberies. During her time as a Scotland Yard detective, she became the first woman to head the Kidnap and Hostage Negotiation Units, becoming the senior ranking officer in the negotiation unit.
Using insight from her colourful career, Suzanne speaks on the importance of communication and leadership to accelerate action, whilst also delving into the fragility of trust and ethics in negotiation strategies.
Michelle King
Senior Advisor to the UN Foundation’s Girl Up Campaign
Dr Michelle King is a globally recognised expert on inequality and organisational culture, dedicated to transforming workplaces into inclusive environments that foster equity for all.
As the Chief People Officer at ODI, a prestigious global affairs think tank, Michelle leads initiatives to combat injustice and inequality, continuing a legacy that spans over six decades.
Before joining ODI, Michelle founded The Culture Practice, a global consultancy specialising in diversity, equity, inclusion, and organisational development. Her expertise attracted clients such as JP Morgan, Netflix, FIFA and Amazon, where she spearheaded strategies to reshape workplace cultures.
Michelle currently also serves as a Senior Advisor to the UN Foundation’s Girl Up Campaign, where she oversees the NextGen Leadership Development Program, equipping young women with the skills to lead in today’s evolving workplace.
Shola Kaye
Inclusion and communication coach
Creating a workplace where everyone feels that they belong is more important than ever before, but how can you build supportive, cohesive environments within your organisation?
Working with businesses and organisations to create a People-First Culture, keynote speaker and best-selling author Shola Kaye teaches how.
Focusing on preparing for the future of work, Shola highlights the power of empathy, effective communication and inclusive leadership to improve and ensure future success.
From company-wide keynotes, to leadership training and small-group strategic action sessions, Shola’s programmes are customised, relevant, and actionable.
Having gained valuable insight working for international corporations in the STEM, financial and creative industries, Shola understands what makes for higher performing, inclusive and ultimately more successful teams.
To find out more about our full range of International Women’s Day speakers available please enquire online, email us or pick up the phone and speak to one of our booking agents.
You can also read more about our full collection of International Women’s Day speakers here.
