The percentage of women in executive officer positions in Fortune 500 companies is 14.6%. This statistic becomes even more ridiculous when it is compared to the fact that 60% of all university graduates are women. What accounts for this disparity? This year Hilary Clinton announced her desire to be President of the United States, Angela Merkel remains the Chancellor of Germany and the head of the IMF is a woman, Christine Lagard. These women have appeared in countless publications, the Forbes list of most powerful women being one. There are more women in powerful positions today than ever before but, if we are honest, there are still not nearly enough. I believe women, like myself, who want to lead, be successful and be in senior executive positions can learn a lot from the people who have paved the way and come before us. If you wish to be motivated and inspired, the women who have succeeded in spite of the above statistics should be listened to. There are many conference speakers who can talk about women in leadership. Here are a few women whom I admire for their achievements is business, I believe it would be very worthwhile to hear their thoughts on women in senior executive positions and what it takes to get there.
Baroness Brady
Karren Brady began her meteoric rise at a young age, she became the managing director of the Birmingham City football club at 23. I am 23 and cannot begin to imagine the leadership and skills that it would require to take over the reigns of a football club at my age. Football is a highly male dominated world and to be in charge as a woman and at such a young age is immensely impressive. It is undeniable that Karren would add a lot of insight to any discussion about women in leadership and the drive to succeed, especially in a male dominated world (football being a brilliant example of this!) Furthermore, Karren is a regular on TV, joining business heavyweight Alan Sugar on The Apprentice. Her advice on the show and the clout her opinion carriesis a perfect example of Karren’s success in business and the respect that it demands.
Dale Murray
The phenomenon of pay-as-you-go mobiles is the UK is due to a large extent to Dale. She was the co-founder on Omega Logic whichkick-started the mobile top up trend, which have helped brands such as Vodafone and O2 hugely. Dale’s success in the telecommunication sector is remarkable;especially when one considers how men dominate the world of telecommunications and technology. In Silicon Valley, the hub of start-ups and technological advancements, women in senior executive positions amount to 9%. It would be very interesting to hear Dale talk about her life as a women in senior leadership and would definitely be educational. Dale is now an angel investor, offering her advice to early stage start-ups.
Lorraine Heggessey
Another conference speaker who would offer great insight to the topic of women in leadership is Lorraine. She was the first woman to be appointed Controller of BBC One, the BBC’s primetime channel. Lorraine introduced to the Great British public to Spooks (a personal favourite of mine) and the very successful re-branded Dr. Who. She brought a fresh outlook to BBC One and surpassed ITV in ratings. In this role Lorraine took many decisions that were tough but necessary, reinvigorating BBC One. It is doubtful that she did not face challenges to her leadership and decision making but under her guidance BBC One flourished. Lorraine has much to offer on a discussion about women in leadership and the topic of leadership in general. She followed her success at BBC One by working at Talkback Thames, backing programmes such as The X Factor and The Apprentice.
Emma Sinclair
Last but by no means least, Emma Sinclair is another woman who has achieved great success in her chosen field. Emma’s achievements in the business world, as with the other three women on this list, gives her a special remit when discussing women in leadership and her advice should be listened to. Emma at the age of 29 floated her company on the stock exchange; this makes her the youngest person in the UK to have done so. Emma started and sold her first company, the successful Target Parking and she continues in business with her company EnterpriseJungle. The successes Emma has had in business highlight the skills and advice that could come from listening to her speak about business and in particular women prospering in it.
These women have incredibly impressive business acumen, it is undeniable the wisdom they could offer on running a business and the qualities that are needed in people to rise to the top. Furthermore, in addition to this, they have all succeeded to senior leadership levels as women. On a personal note, as a young woman who wants to be successful in business, I believe the insight they offer on women in leadership and the challenges that come with this would be invaluable.
