Skip to content

IWD: Breaking The Blueprint

International Women's Day Premium Brunch Experience

5th March 2026 | House of Lords, London

08:00 – 08:45

Arrival & Networking Breakfast

08:45 – 09:00

Welcome & Setting the Intention

A short opening to mark International Women’s Day and set the tone for the morning. This session frames the theme of Breaking the Blueprint, reflecting on why traditional leadership models no longer serve many women in public service.

Julie Tague

Director of Savings and Improvement, House of Commons

09:00 – 09:45

Panel: Breaking the Blueprint

This panel explores how senior women are navigating leadership in complex systems. Panellists will share experience, inflection points and practical judgement rather than polished success stories.

Julie Tague

Director of Savings and Improvement, House of Commons

Laura Eshelby

Head of Economic Crime, Clue Software

Sandra Pinnington

CEO, Executive Insights Ltd

Molly Ellis

Founder, Project Accountability

Benedicta A.

Co-Founder, Golden Sankofa

09:45 – 10:15

Audience Q&A

An open discussion designed to surface shared challenges and perspectives that deepen and ground the panel conversation.
10:15 – 10:30

Reflection Moment: What Blueprint Are You Ready to Break?

A guided pause for individual reflection.
10:30 – 10:45

Coffee Break & Networking

10:45 – 11:15

Breaking the Leadership Model – Interactive Workshop

This interactive workshop invites senior leaders to actively explore how leadership models are evolving and what needs to change to better reflect today’s realities. Through guided discussion and practical examples, participants will examine traditional structures and expectations, how leaders are currently supported and developed, and what high-performing, sustainable leadership looks like in practice. The session focuses on designing leadership approaches that enable performance, wellbeing and retention, leaving attendees with fresh perspectives they can apply within their own organisations. (Sponsorship Available)
11:15 – 11:45

Breakout Conversations

Small-group discussions for more personal conversation. Tables are aligned to key themes linked to International Women’s Day, including leadership confidence and influence, culture and wellbeing, technology as an enabler of change, and challenging systems and ways of working.
11:45 – 12:15

Breaking Broken Systems – Interactive Workshop

This facilitated workshop focuses on the practical challenge of leading change within complex, legacy systems. Participants will explore how to challenge outdated processes, policies and ways of working while balancing innovation, accountability and risk. Through discussion and real-world examples, the session examines how leaders can drive responsible, human-centred transformation that delivers impact without losing trust, control or momentum. (Sponsorship Available)
13:15 – 13:35

Designing What Comes Next – Future-Focused Workshop

This forward-looking workshop explores what replaces outdated ways of working, decision-making and leadership as organisations look ahead. Participants will consider how future-ready systems, partnerships and capabilities are being shaped, and how senior leaders can lead with clarity and confidence in uncertain environments. The session encourages strategic thinking around long-term direction, helping leaders move from legacy thinking to intentional design of what comes next. (Sponsorship Available)
13:35 – 14:00

Closing Reflections: Taking It Forward

14:00 - 14:30

Final Networking & Close