LONDON TO HOST HIGH-LEVEL WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT THIS FEBRUARY
Senior executives, founders and board-level leaders from across the UK will convene in London this February as the Institute of Directors (IoD) stages its annual Women’s Business Forum, a flagship event designed to address the evolving demands of leadership and corporate governance.
Taking place on Thursday 26 February 2026 at The View, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the full-day forum will run from 9:00am to 5:00pm and bring together decision-makers shaping the future of British business. The programme is structured around strategy, innovation, governance and personal performance — themes increasingly central to organisations navigating economic uncertainty and structural change.
The event will feature a high-profile line-up of speakers drawn from media, sport, technology and entrepreneurship. Among them are Mariella Frostrup, broadcast journalist and UK Government Menopause Ambassador; Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of Women in Sport; Reedah El-Saie, Founder of Brainspark Games and former Dragon’s Den contestant; and Steph Douglas, Chief Executive and Founder of dontbuyherflowers.com.
Sessions will examine how women are reshaping modern leadership cultures and influencing boardroom dynamics. “Breaking the Mould: Women Redefining Leadership” will explore how storytelling, innovation and organisational culture are transforming executive practice. “Boardroom Bound: Elevating Women to the Top Table” will provide practical insights into securing non-executive and governance roles, an area where representation continues to attract scrutiny.
Technology and entrepreneurship will also feature prominently. “Beyond the Algorithm: Female Minds Driving the Tech Revolution” will assess women’s influence across artificial intelligence, digital innovation and start-up ecosystems, while “From Pitch to Power: Scaling Bold Ideas into Real Businesses” will address capital raising, growth strategy and resilience in scaling ventures.
Recognising the growing emphasis on executive wellbeing, the agenda also includes workshops such as “Confidence & Mental Fitness for Women in Leadership” and “Wellbeing Energiser: Reset, Recharge & Refocus”, delivered by workplace wellbeing provider Stretching the City. A further session, “Built to Last: Women Redefining Health, Performance, and Power”, will examine the interplay between health, mindset and sustainable leadership performance.
Roisin Sweeney, Director of Membership Services at the IoD, said: “The Women’s Business Forum is a celebration of the incredible impact women are making in business today. It’s an opportunity to learn, connect and be inspired by leaders who are redefining success on their own terms. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this event will leave you energised and equipped to take on the challenges of modern leadership.”
The forum comes at a time when UK companies are placing renewed emphasis on board diversity, inclusive leadership and long-term organisational resilience. While female representation at senior levels has improved over the past decade, disparities remain across certain sectors, particularly in technology and finance. Events such as the IoD Women’s Business Forum reflect a broader shift towards practical leadership development and peer-to-peer networks.
Women in Sport has been selected as the IoD’s chosen charity for the event, reinforcing the organisation’s mission to ensure every woman and girl can experience the benefits of sport and physical activity.
Open to members and non-members of any gender, the event will include breakfast, lunch and refreshments, alongside structured networking opportunities. For business leaders seeking strategic insight, board-level progression and meaningful professional connections, the forum positions itself as a significant date in the 2026 UK leadership calendar.
