Chamber leaders take part in International Womens Day Conference and Expo 2024

Henrietta Brealey, CEO of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, and Sophie Poduval-Morrell, manager of the Future Faces division, recently took part in speaker panels at the International Women’s Day Conference and Expo 2024, held at Millennium Point.

The day was an immersive celebration of empowerment, diversity and innovation. With over 50 speakers engaging with their audience, the event celebrated the achievements of women, fostered dialogue on gender parity, and inspired action towards a future where every woman’s potential is realised.

Sophie’s panel discussion focused on personal brand, including content around supporting young females by empowering themselves to be authentic and how to grow their network. Her fellow panel speakers included Belinda Kaur, event host, and Jazveena Sahota, social and content manager at Slate.

Sophie said: “It was such an honour to be part of the largest IWD Conference in the region, discussing a topic that was only introduced to me just over 12 months ago. We all have a Personal Brand, the key is to be authentic, lean into your strengths and don’t let anyone steal your thunder.”

Henrietta’s panel included discussing what support there is for women in business and what further support can be given. Her fellow panel speakers included Tracy Black, chief strategy officer at CBI, and Carmen Watson, chairperson at Pertemps Network Group.

Speaking on the day, Henrietta said: “It was a great opportunity to put gender equality in the spotlight and examine where we are, or in some cases are not, seeing progress as well as build connections with brilliant leaders from across a range of sectors.

“Of course, the conversation cannot start and stop with International Women’s Day and many of the subjects discussed – from access to affordable childcare to the business benefits of diverse leadership teams – are matters that may disproportionately impact women but concern our whole society. I look forward to continuing the conversation and working with our members on strategies to attract, retain and develop talent, including through our Growth Through People campaign and as a Commissioner for the British Chambers of Commerce Workplace Equity Commission.”

Kasim Choudhry, creative director at ThinkFest and Future Faces president, co-founded the International Women’s Day Conference and Expo 2024 with Edwin Ladd, CEO of Mr Ladd Media.

Speaking on the day, Kasim said: “There’s a well-known proverb, if you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a family. The knock-on effects from empowering women are endless and that’s why we need more allies to break down barriers and open more doors for gender parity. I hope that we can all take something positive away from today that will lead to change.

“We had over 50 speakers across the conference and expo, and I would like to thank them all for taking the time out and supporting us with this event. I would like to thank all of our sponsors and partners, especially Staffordshire University, City & Guilds, Pathway Group, Midven and Rethink Press.”

Pictured: Sophie Poduval-Morrell (left) on her panel