International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women in Leadership at Inspire Education Group

International Women’s Day is a global movement dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women while also highlighting the ongoing work needed to achieve gender equality.

This year, Inspire Education Group (IEG) are proud to amplify the conversation by recognising the unique strengths that women can bring to leadership, the pride they feel in being part of Inspire Education Group and the steps we can take further to break down gender barriers in education and beyond.

While significant progress has been made, IEG remains committed to creating an equitable environment where all individuals can thrive. Rachel Nicholls, Group Chief Executive Officer, stresses the importance of creating inclusive workplaces:

‘We need to create flexible work environments that support work-life balance – this is important for everyone, but particularly women. We need to support and enable women to progress through mentorship and coaching (informal and formal). We also need to challenge stereotypes and bias in all forms and continue to look at ways to educate around all aspects of equality, diversity and inclusion.’

At IEG, International Women’s Day is not just about celebration – it’s about reflection, action and commitment to creating lasting change. For Julia Bates, Chief Curriculum Officer, International Women’s Day is about inclusion: ‘While I recognise that women still face inequality in many ways, IWD for me is about ensuring that gender equity is a conversation as active participants in change.’

Inspire Education Group recognises that strong leadership is shaped by unique perspectives, nurturing inclusive environments, and championing policies that support equity and professional growth.

Emma Hill, Group Lead of Curriculum – Modern Construction, shares that women working in traditional male dominated industries can offer diverse experiences and perspectives but it is our shared values that drive us:

‘For me, it’s about empowering others through strong communication, interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. Prioritising teamwork to cultivate a supportive, open and transparent culture built on shared values’.

Sarah Young, Vice Principal – Student and Staff Experience, champions the work that the group are doing and recognises the importance to continue the conversations:

‘IEG are doing lots of great work in this space and need to continue to actively demonstrate our commitment through action. We champion a culture of empowerment, ensuring equitable policies, challenging biases, and providing strong mentorship and support. We celebrate every individual’s contribution, recognising that inclusivity drives our success.’