FDA President Margaret Haig chaired this year’s Women into Leadership London, held annually in collaboration between the FDA, and media and events specialist Dods. More than 400 delegates attended the event’s new home at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms.

A number of high-profile figures from within the civil service gave speeches, including Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Permanent Secretary Dame Antonia Romeo, Director General of the Government  Legal Department Mel Nebhrajani, and Chief Operating Officer at the Ministry of Defence Nina Cope.

Haig opened the day’s proceedings with a thoughtful reflection over those struggling with both visible and hidden issues, telling the audience: “If you are dealing with anything, whether it’s a disability, menopause, I just want to say you are seen.”

In her opening address, Dame Antonia spoke about how to lead with courage and inspire positive change, telling attendees: “When you are speaking truth to power… the people you are challenging need to understand you are doing it from a place of credibility.”

The MoJ Permanent Secretary also discussed the importance of finding “balance between defending the team upwards, and making sure you are learning the lessons downwards”, adding that as a leader it was “crucial you defend your team and your team see you defending them”.

Dame Antonia Romeo also highlighted the “purpose driven” nature of the work of civil servants , adding that the service must “mirror the diversity and excellence of the people it serves”.

In her speech to attendees, Nebhrajani discussed the importance of “purpose, passion and value-led leadership”, finding strength in differences, and described challenges she has faced throughout her career as a working mother in a position of leadership. Nebhrajani emphasised the need for more work to be done to help women overcome the barriers they face to becoming leaders, discussing issues surrounding motherhood, infertility, menopause and menstruation, telling the audience: “It must be possible to be women at every stage and age and choice, and still be included.”

In her plenary address, Cope focused on confronting uncertainty, and “knowing your worth and asserting your presence”. Cope shared her reflections on what had helped her progress into positions of leadership, encouraging attendees to “seize opportunities as they arise”, “be creative”, “know what you need for you”, “know what can trip you up” and “be bold and know your strength”. Cope concluded her speech by telling delegates: “Be a little bit kind to yourself, you’re a work in progress.”

FDA Learn provider and founder of Way to Wellbeing Tracy Douthwaite held a breakout session which looked at different factors and methods that managers should consider when looking to support employee wellbeing. Director of Thinking Alliance founder Katie Driver, who is also an FDA Learn provider, led a session on introversion in leadership, which looked at pathways to building self-belief and the strengths that come with being an introvert in a position of leadership.

Comedian and writer Tiff Stevenson was the last of the day’s speakers, with a speech on how she has learnt to embrace change and confront failure throughout her career, telling attendees: “An imperfect thing at the right time is better than a perfect thing at the wrong time”.

Inaugural Women into Leadership Awards

This year’s event saw the first ever annual Women into Leadership awards, with FDA Vice President Beatriz Brown presenting the Mental Health and Wellbeing Advocate Award and Inclusive Leadership of the Year Award. Congratulations to the FDA’s Welsh Government Branch Convenor Marie Knox, who received the Woman of the Year Award.

Knox was recognised for her contributions to improving the position of women in the workplace, both through her volunteering work and within the civil service. This has included her work to help increase the number of women on the FDA’s Welsh Government branch committee.