IWIB Edinburgh Programme

INSPIRING WOMEN IN BUSINESS CONFERENCE 2018

PROGRAMME

Here is the programme for Edinburgh 2018. Stay tuned for updates and speaker additions.

08.15 Registration

09.20 Welcome from Management Today

Kate Bassett, head of content, Management Today

09.30 The MT keynote: 'It's too big. Don't bother'

We live in complex times, faced with issues that seem overwhelming to us; violence, prison, drugs and alcohol. It would be easy just to deal with the symptoms and not the prevention. But what happens when you start to articulate a different path, challenge the status quo and start a movement for change? Karyn McCluskey shares her career journey preventing violence, increasing resilience and working to change the lives of those who are often damaged and damaging.

Karyn McCluskey, chief executive, Community Justice Scotland

09.55 Entrepreneurs: Going for growth

Starting your own business is tough: 8 out of 10 companies fail after the first year. The Syrian refugee behind Yorkshire Dama Cheese, the woman building highways for electric cars, and a corporate COO turned luxury fashion designer reveal how they've built their brands. They share their inspiration, their biggest mistakes and their tips on how to kick-start growth.

Razan Alsous, managing director, Yorkshire Dama Cheese

Caroline Jones Carrick, director, TEV project

Sarah Haran, founder, Sarah Haran

10.30 The great equaliser: Digital and gender equality in the workplace

In every industry, digital technologies are transforming the status quo. Now we have evidence that they are also bringing us closer to workplace equality. Accenture's Claudia Ribeiro explains how digital fluency is helping to level the playing field between men and women at work.

Claudia Ribeiro, managing director, Accenture Interactive, Accenture Digital and health and public service industry lead

10.45 Morning refreshments

11.05 Getting to equal

Gender pay gap figures reveal 8 in 10 UK firms pay men more. So what are they going to do about it? We delve into the figures and look at ways to address the problem.

Guest chair: Dame Cilla Snowball, group chairman and group CEO, AMV BBDO and chair, Women's Business Council

Debbie Crosbie, COO, Clydesdale Bank

Juliet Simpson, CEO, Stripe Communications and Marketing Society Scotland Fellow

Archie Struthers, global head of investment governance & oversight, Aberdeen Standard Investments

11.40 Agents of Change: Why men need to champion women

Management Today and the Women's Business Council published the Agents of Change power list in March shining a spotlight on the 'manbassadors' who are championing gender equality at work. We will hear from one of this year's Agents on why it matters.

Dame Cilla Snowball, group chairman and group CEO, AMV BBDO and chair, Women's Business Council

Daniele Fiandaca, co-founder, Token Man and founder, Utopia

11.55 Overcoming the odds

Michelle Thomson, founding director, Momentous Change

12.10 The MT interview: The political pioneer

One of the most influential figures in British politics, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson is widely tipped to become not just her party's future leader, but the country's first openly gay leader. Hear her personal story.

Ruth Davidson, Scottish Conservative MSP for Edinburgh Central & leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

12.40 Lunch and mentoring

Meet some of your favourite speakers and get one-on-one advice from our lunchtime mentors.

Razan Alsous, managing director, Yorkshire Dama Cheese

Debbie Crosbie, COO, Clydesdale Bank

Lucy Murdoch, managing director, Global Corporate Citizenship Delivery, Accenture

Kellie Rixon MBE, founder, Rixon Associates

Dame Cilla Snowball, group chairman and group CEO, AMV BBDO and chair, Women's Business Council

13.45 My darkest moment

Kellie Rixon MBE, founder, Rixon Associates

14.00 How to overcome your confidence gremlins

We uncover the most common 'Gremlins' that are holding you back in your job. Using personal examples and tried and tested methods, Amazing If co-founder Sarah Ellis shares ways to take control and cage your Gremlins, boost your confidence and have a happier career.

Sarah Ellis, co-founder, Amazing If and managing director, Gravity Road

14.25 Breaking the mould: How I made it in engineering

Engineering isn't just about men in hard hats. As a chartered civil engineer and capability development director in Atkins’ oil and gas business, Jo Moffatt oversees a team of over 2000 engineers globally, spanning everything from design of offshore wind turbine structures to process simulation in oil refineries. She tells us how she made it to the top, what she's doing to challenge gender stereotypes in STEM and gives tips that are relevant to women working in all industries.

Jo Moffatt, capability development director, Atkins

14.40 Why I hid my disability from my boss

Caroline Casey worked as a global consultant for Accenture, working with high-profile clients and travelling the world. Here's why she quit at the age of 28 (no spoilers) to become an activist and disability consultant.

Caroline Casey, founder, Binc

15.00 Break

15.15 Scotland: Where are the opportunities? Where are the skills?

As employers ring alarm bells and Brexit looms, our panelists give their take on how to fill the skills gap, the sectors of the future, and whether Scotland has what it takes to create more unicorn businesses.

Guest chair: Tracy Black, director, CBI Scotland

Jude Cook, CEO, ShareIn

Carolyn Jameson, chief legal officer, Skyscanner