Women in Advertising and Communications Leadership (WACL) has announced a landmark expansion of its mission to accelerate gender equality in the industry, by formally committing to the North of England and Scotland for the first time in its history.
The move follows WACL’s first-ever event outside London in Edinburgh in 2019, which attracted over 350 women, and a series of subsequent events in Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh. This next step cements WACL’s intention to build on its century-long influence in England and extend its reach and impact across the UK.
While London is often seen as the hub of the UK’s marketing and creative industries, the majority of the industry’s talent actually works outside the capital. Across the North of England and Scotland, tens of thousands of people are employed in agencies, production companies, and in-house marketing roles, driving regional economies and shaping the UK’s global creative reputation.
The expansion aims to recognise and celebrate the scale, diversity, and influence of those working in the sector beyond London, and ensures WACL’s support reaches them directly.
The newly formed Nations and Regions Initiative will be co-chaired by WACL members Dawn Paine (CEO and co-founder, Aurora – left) for the North, and Juliet Simpson (CEO and founder, Stripe Communications – right) for Scotland. Both will sit on the WACL Executive, ensuring the voices and perspectives of women leaders from across the UK are represented at the highest level, and will sit on Northern and Scottish committees that will also feature female talent from Havas, Global, Leigh and many more.
The Nations and Regions teams will deliver a programme of events, mentoring opportunities, partnerships, and collaborations, all designed to connect and empower women leaders regionally. They will also provide direct support for WACL’s critical campaign and initiatives.
WACL also announced that its Festival of Talent event will be coming to Edinburgh and Manchester on 13th May, 2026, providing a full day female leadership event of inspiration, advice and support. This is alongside a high profile WACL Talent female leadership event happening on 5th March in partnership with Everton Football Club Women’s Team at Goodison Park.
Claire Sadler, WACL president, said: “For more than 100 years, WACL has been a driving force for change, inspiring women leaders and campaigning for gender equality. Our work in London and the South has shown what’s possible when we support and connect women at every stage of their careers.
“Now, by committing to the North of England and Scotland, we can build on that success – extending our network, sharing our resources, and amplifying the leadership voices of women across the UK. This is about moving forward together, and ensuring no region is left behind in the push for 50% of CEOs to be women.”
Paine, co-chair nations and regions (North), said: “The North of England is home to incredible female talent and leadership, yet too often opportunities, visibility, and networks are centred elsewhere. This commitment from WACL signals that we recognise and value the role of women leaders in every region. It’s about unlocking potential, creating connections that matter, and ensuring women here have the same access to support, inspiration, and influence as anywhere in the UK.”
Simpson, Scottish co-chair, added: “Scotland’s creative industries are thriving, but there’s still work to do to ensure women are equally represented at the very top. Seven years ago WACL stepped out of London for the first time in their 100 year history and came to Scotland. The feedback demonstrated the very real need for support and inspiration for women in Scotland.
“With support from WACL and our amazing committee on the ground Scotland’s female leaders can benefit from the same powerful networks, mentoring, and campaigning that have already driven change in London and the South. This is about levelling the playing field and making sure geography is never a barrier to leadership.”
