I was genuinely grateful to be invited to the WACL x Everton Women’s Football Club International Women’s Day Event. Walking into the room, there was an immediate sense that this was more than just another industry gathering. The atmosphere was full of energy, pupose and possibility and packed with leaders from across media, marketing, sport and communications, all brought together to celebrate International Women’s Day.
It felt particularly significant given the timing. This event comes off the back of WACL announcing its first-ever formal commitment to the North and Scotland through a new Nations and Regions initiative, a move supported by Prolific North… of course. Hosting the event in Liverpool felt like a clear statement of intent: that WACL’s mission to champion women in the industry is expanding well beyond London.
As WACL’s Dawn Paine said, the aim was simple: “It was a day to think, thrive and imagine what’s possible.” She also reflected on the importance of returning to the city for a second time, describing it as an opportunity to bring “the power of WACL outside of London. To women who have accents!”
The keynote conversation between Dawn Paine and TV’s Nisha Katona MBE set the tone for the day. Best known as the founder of the hugely successful restaurant brand Mowgli Street Food, Katona shared the story behind her leap from a distinguished career in law into entrepreneurship.
Her journey was a powerful reminder that leadership is often built on courage and conviction. Speaking candidly about risk, resilience and values-led decision making (particularly as a woman of asian heritage), Katona’s story felt particularly relevant in a room full of women navigating leadership roles in their own industries and in their own styles.
From there, the focus shifted to culture with the panel Building Cultures of Belonging. Hosted by Sam Gregory, Co-CEO of Tangerine Communications, the session brought together voices from across sport, community impact and the creative industries.
Sue Gregory, CEO of Everton in the Community, Former Everton F.C. and England Women’s National Football Team goalkeeper turned broadcaster Rachel Brown-Finnis (who brought the perspective of elite sport), Chloe Davies from The Unmistakables and Imogen Tazzyman of McCann.
The final session, Women Who Lead, explored leadership from a marketing and media perspective. Lucy Barnes, Joint General Manager at Havas Media Network, spoke about leading campaigns for global brands, and alongside her, Angelene Woodland Singleton, CMO at Together and formerly in senior marketing roles at Bupa and the British Business Bank, spoke about transformation, purpose-led marketing and the importance of inclusive leadership.
What stood out most across the day, though, was the collective energy in the room. As one attendee summed it up: “The aim of the day was to get a room full of trailblazing women all together and celebrate International Women’s Day” and that it did!
Sponsored by Channel Factory and Digital Cinema Media, the event felt like an important marker for the industry, demonstrating that meaningful conversations about leadership, culture and opportunity are happening across the UK, not just in London.
