Our vision is to create gender parity in every area of life by championing equality for women in civil, political, economic, social and cultural arenas.

About Us

Women Leaders UK is a registered charity established to recognise outstanding women, promote and strengthen women’s leadership, and support gender equality and diversity.

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Women Leaders Awarded
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Nominees
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Founded 6 years ago
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Businesses supporting us

Our History

Women Leaders UK is the brainchild of Jan Flawn CBE, founder of specialist neurological care provider, PJ Care, based in Milton Keynes and in Peterborough. After winning the national CBI First Women of Business Services award in 2013, Jan realised how important it is to celebrate the achievements of women.

Jan set about inspiring a group of activists, passionate to develop the idea and in March 2015, on International Women’s Day, the first Women Leaders Awards was launched in Milton Keynes. It was a huge success, uncovering talented women from across the region, culminating in a joyful and inclusive gala dinner.

From these beginnings Jan led the development of Women Leaders as a charitable organisation, expanding focus to include mentoring, support and networking activities for our nominees, finalists and winners. Incorporated in 2018, the charity has worked with over 700 women from all backgrounds and sectors and some 50 organisations and businesses which support our vision. 

This year we will formalise our mentoring programme, aimed at any woman who aspires to become a leader, this will include networking and CPD events.  In line with our charitable objectives we will continue to support personal development in both mentors and mentees.

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Our Objectives

We are proud to support MK Innovates, Milton Keynes’ STEM festival.  The festival brings together the best of local, innovative businesses and provides valuable interactive experiences for schools and members of the public. This is the first and only STEM event in our city and has been increasingly well attended over the past few years. 

Our activities throughout the year include a mentoring programme for women who aspire to lead.  In 2020 we expect to develop this work by providing more professional development and networking opportunities.  This work is ordinarily funded by our Gala Awards event which celebrates the achievements of local women across a range of sectors. This year will be different due to COVID-19, but we will still celebrate! Watch this space…

Make your contribution by sponsoring an award or nominating remarkable women in your field.

Share Success

Promote the achievements of women to provide role models in the community

Gender Equality

Identify and challenge gender disparity

New Horizons

Support young women to study science, tech, engineering and maths

Inspire Others

Inspire and support women to develop their education, skills and training to maximise their potential

Engage Action

Organise conferences, seminars, research and other educational activities

Nuture Leaders

Keep growing the skills and knowledge through our mentoring programme

Our Trustees

Dr Julie Mills OBE

Chair
Dr Julie Mills, is the CEO and Group Principal of MK College and a highly respected thinker and doer in the areas of education, skills, social justice and diversity. Julie's contributions have been featured by the BBC, ITV, The Huffington Post, The Times Educational Supplement, FE News, and many more.

A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Julie was recently named Principal of the Year by the National Centre for Diversity (NCF). She is the driving force behind plans for an Institute of Technology at Bletchley Park, chair of the Helena Kennedy Foundation and Chair of Women Leaders UK. Julie is an Open University graduate, and was awarded a doctorate in 2005 for her research into the management of prison education staff.

Julie is a champion for all things Milton Keynes, an ardent fan of the MK Dons and a trustee of the MK Dons Sport and Education Trust. Julie was recognised with an OBE in the Queen’s 2019 Birthday Honours List.

John Cove

Vice Chair
As Chairman of Milton Keynes Dons FC Sport and Education Trust and as one of the Directors of the Club I know how important it is to have a well rooted, supportive community for a city to flourish. Having worked at the heart of local government for over 20 years I have had a range of responsibilities including Sport, Leisure, Libraries, Arts, Youth Service, and Economic Development. I am particularly proud of my work with StadiumMK and am delighted that Women Leaders' Gala Awards event will take place within this Milton Keynes landmark again this year.

As well as being a Trustee of Women Leaders I am Chair of Destination Milton Keynes and Chair of StreetGames - a national charity harnesses the power of sport to create positive change in the lives of disadvantaged young people right across the UK.

Ruby Parmar

Trustee
Some would say I’m lucky having the ability to give up a financially secure job and be more in control of my time. I would say I am very lucky and privileged to have worked in the professional services sector for over 30 years where I worked my way up to Partner at PwC and now have the skills and experience necessary to take a step to the other side.

At PwC as a client relationship partner with a background in tax, I spent my time building, nurturing and supporting relationships with some of the most talented individuals at Board level as well as being a trusted advisor to private business owners and entrepreneurs.

I now use my skills at Board level with several private businesses (TOTM, Twenty3, Signia Wealth) as well as organisations such as Milton Keynes College where I am a governor and the Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership and Women Leaders UK as an active Board member and Trustee. My involvement with Women Leaders started 5 years ago and I was one of the first group of trustees appointed when it was formally set up as a charity. I have always been passionate about support and development for women and have throughout my career been an active mentor and role model. Involvement with Women Leaders allows me to continue to support talented women to achieve their full potential. The aim of the annual awards is to showcase the amazing women we are surrounded by locally and given them a platform to grow in confidence and shine.

Pam Gosal MBA

Trustee
My late father taught me the value of entrepreneurialism and that it is my responsibility to help create a world where ambition and aspiration thrive. For more than twenty years across all aspects of public, private and voluntary sectors I have been driven to impact change in areas including; inward investment, business, cultural, legal, financial and regulatory policies both in Scotland and England.

I am proud that, as a result of my passion for providing inclusive opportunity, Milton Keynes has received a host of accolades, including recognition as the best place for business investment, job growth and inward investment projects, directly improving the retention and growth of thousands of jobs. By fostering partnerships with the private and voluntary sectors I have been able to deliver cultural and sports events in MK that bring diverse communities together.

Now in my third year as a Trustee, and as a winner of two awards in previous years, I know first-hand the value that the Women Leaders awards brings to the success of our city. I will continue to advocate for gender parity and mentor other women with the will to lead.

Prof. Lynette Ryals OBE

Trustee
Vice-Chancellor and Director of Cranfield School of Management since August 2017, Lynette has responsibility for academic staff and the delivery of award-bearing programmes (MBAs, MSCs and doctorates).

Lynette is a Programme Director for MK:U, leading an important strategic project on behalf of Cranfield to establish a new university in Milton Keynes.

Lynette is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a member of the Theatre Board of The Stables in Milton Keynes, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, and a Fellow of the Society of Investment Professionals. Lynette was awarded an OBE in 2019.

Jane Horridge

Trustee
Jane Horridge has over 25 years of experience in the corporate, public and third sectors, having worked in and with organisations of all sizes.

Jane is currently running three of her own businesses following 6 years in the Education sector, bringing commercial and marketing expertise from her corporate career into MK College.

Part of the judging panel since Women Leaders began, she brings a breadth and depth of industry and functional experience to the board. With an executive MBA, a fellowship of the Chartered Management Institute she is certified in Occupational Psychology and currently is also a Trustee of the Milton Keynes Charity, Ride High.

Kelly Haynes

Trustee
The first time I threw a punch was at the age of 12. Fast forward 20 years and I am now K1 World Champion, 2017's Upcoming Female Fighter of the Year and 2018's & 2019’s Martial Arts Women of the Year by warriors assembly British Awards. I also won the Women's Leaders 2019 Sport award and recently was awarded a commendation by Thames Valley Police for the work on the Boxing Clever project.

I’m an ambassador and help teach fitness in a number of charities such as MK ACT which is a local women’s refuge, Sportraider, fit4life and a non-profit project - Boxing Clever. Boxing Clever is achieving amazing results with students insecondary schools and just won an award - Kids Count 2019 at House of Commons, the project is aimed to foster discipline through martial arts, it was started by Thames Valley Police & Milton Keynes council earlier 2019.

Zoe Mills

Trustee
My 25 years as a Human Resources Specialist has made passionate about diversity and inclusion in the workplace. I find gender disparity to be such an important aspect of the equality agenda and has been my focus for the last few years. I am proud that my work with NHBC to improve and equalise maternity and paternity leave and pay has meant they are the first Milton Keynes employer to have taken this progressive and ground breaking step.

I assisted the Women Leaders UK judging panel in 2018 and was overwhelmed and inspired by the nominees I had the pleasure to meet. I was delighted to be the Winner for 2019 Professional Services Women Leaders category. This is my first position as a Board Trustee and I hope to be instrumental in raising the profile of this important cause.

Zoe Raven

Trustee
I am the founder and CEO of Acorn Early Years Foundation, a social enterprise and charity that began as a small private nursery over 30 years ago. I gradually grew the organisation to 12 day nurseries with over 300 employees. I’m an advocate of lifelong learning, with an MBA from the OU and i’m currently a part-time doctoral student at Royal Holloway, University of London, researching ethical issues in early years provision in the UK.

I have four children, been an active member of the NCT, a school governor, and i’m vice-chair of trustees at the Parks Trust. With a keen interest in the fight against gender equality, i’m thrilled to be involved in Women Leaders. Mentoring and training within Acorn has shown me that supporting talent and celebrating women’s achievements is a great way to inspire the next generation of women.

Claire Farmer

Trustee
Last year was a good one for me, I was recognised as an National House Building Council Star for 2019, because of my role in delivering key budgeting, forecasting and debt management projects.

As an ACCA qualified accountant working locally for NHBC I benefit from a working pattern that accommodates a healthy work/life balance. Taking time to relax and wind down from the intensity of work is important to me. In my spare time you will find me and my husband James, on a mission to tire out our lively Border Collie Lexie.

I am delighted to be joining Women Leaders as Treasurer on the board of Trustees and look forward to using my passion for gender balance and financial experience to help the charity meet their objectives.

Nikki Ross

Trustee
I have recently retired having spent 35 years in UK policing retiring as a senior executive, managing complex change and serious threat and risk scenarios. It has been profoundly rewarding to share my experience by coaching and mentoring others. My varied career included change management, problem solving and a need for demonstrable emotional intelligence and authenticity.

Since September 2019, I have been the Chief Executive of Thames Valley Partnership, a charitable organisation dedicated to helping people within the Criminal Justice System. Working with partners the charity works with victims, with offenders and with families of people touched by or at risk of becoming involved in the Criminal Justice system.

Having spent my whole career in a male dominated environment, and being dedicated to helping women to continue to achieve, I am delighted to be able to continue that work with the Women Leaders. I have worked with the organisation previously and was an award winner in 2016. The event is always the most inspiring event I attend every year. I intend to organise structured mentoring for all nominees and to establish a mentoring network within the organisation

Elizabeth Sheldon

Trustee
I was nominated for 2 Women Leaders awards in 2016, Business Services and Science and Technology, to my surprise I won both. A keen champion of increasing skills in STEM subjects and as Chair of the MK Innovates festival I strive for more women to develop an interest and subsequent career path in these key areas. Without doubt winning these awards opened the door for further opportunities to appear. In December 2017 I was invited to become Vice President of Security for ADS the industry body representing Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Invitations have just followed regularly thereafter.

I don't doubt that without the recognition I received through Women Leaders I would not have enjoyed many of the privileges that followed. In my role as Trustee my hope is that other women benefit from the support of the charity's commitment to improving gender equality.

We look forward to introducing the rest of our trustees very soon.

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