Join us for an empowering event that puts you in control of your financial future at every career stage while exploring gender, social mobility, and the business case for equity.
The Facts:
Did you know that, on average, men have 90% larger pensions and 35% more in total wealth than women? The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report warns that at the current rate of progress, true gender equality won’t be achieved until 2158—five generations from now. Economic opportunities, leadership representation, and societal equity are improving far too slowly to make a meaningful difference today. The question isn’t if change will happen—it’s how fast we can make it happen.
In alignment with International Women’s Day 2025 and its theme, “Accelerate Action,” this event will provide actionable steps to advance your career, build financial independence, and drive meaningful progress toward gender equity. We’ll also explore the critical role of allies in shaping inclusive workplaces and breaking down systemic barriers.
What to Expect:
Practical strategies to take control of your financial future—whether you're just starting out or refining your long-term plan.
Insights into the structural challenges that hinder gender equity and how to navigate them. A deep dive into the intersectional factors—race, ethnicity, disability, and socioeconomic status—that shape women’s financial and career outcomes. Meaningful discussions on how businesses and policymakers can accelerate change through reforms in pay equity, leadership representation, and access to opportunities. This is more than a conversation—it’s a movement. Be part of the change.
Hosted by Zahra Pabani, Partner at Irwin Mitchell, our panel of speakers will include:
- Annabel Bosman, Brewin Dolphin Regional Centre Head
- Dr. Louise Ashley, Professor at Queen Mary University
- Danny Allum, Inclusion Advisor at Business in the Community
An intersectional approach is crucial. Inequality affects women differently based on race, disability, and socioeconomic status. Join us to be part of the movement pushing to accelerate action together.
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Business in the Community (BITC) is the King’s Responsible Business Network, the UK’s largest and most influential responsible business network dedicated to building a fairer and greener world together. In late 2024, BITC produced a report exploring why gender equity is good for business, focusing on the impact of gender diversity (or lack thereof) in the workplace, on commercial outcomes. We're delighted to be joined by one of their Inclusion Advisers to discuss the report and key themes in more depth.
Dr Louise Ashley is associate professor at Queen Mary University of London, and a fellow of its Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences. She has over ten years' experience researching equality, diversity and inclusion in large multinational organisations and 'elite' occupations, including law, accountancy, finance and medicine.
Dr Ashley has published articles in leading academic journals and her research has been widely covered in media, both in the UK and internationally. She has led teams appointed by the government's Social Mobility Commission (SMC) to understand barriers to entry on the basis of socio-economic background in elite professions and has extensive experience working with professional service firms conducting audits and evaluations of diversity and inclusion policy and practice, contributing to actionable recommendations.
She sits on several advisory committees in the area of social mobility and during 2022 was a working group member for the City of London Corporation's Taskforce on Socioeconomic Diversity.
Annabel is Regional Centre Head for London & the Southeast at RBC Brewin Dolphin having previously been Head of Relationship Management for RBC Wealth Management in the UK and Channel Islands.
As part of the leadership team, Annabel is focused on driving the success of RBCBD and ensuring our clients receive the best of our organization. Her positivity and broad experience garnered from a twenty-year career in wealth management have been instrumental in helping her bring teams together, under a common goal and culture.
Prior to joining RBC in July 2019, Annabel started her career at Barclays and has also worked at Citi, Deutsche and Julius Baer.
Born in Lincoln, Annabel grew up in Yorkshire, before travelling to Oxford to further her education. Annabel holds an MA (Hons) from Oriel College, Oxford and is also a member of the CFA Institute. When not looking after her young family, Annabel enjoys rugby (playing, coaching and cheering on) paddle boarding and yoga.
I am a Family Law Partner at Irwin Mitchell, working in the Birmingham and London offices. I'm part of the national team and support clients in the UK and internationally.
My aim is to put my clients at the heart of everything I do and deliver a bespoke service with commercial and emotional intelligence at its core. With over 20 years’ experience, I’m ranked as a Tier One lawyer by independent legal guides such as in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. I strive to always achieve excellence for every client, in every situation.
I support individuals and business people and specialise in dealing with financial settlements for high net worth clients with a specific focus on wealth protection. I achieve positive outcomes in and out of the court room and work collaboratively.
I’m regularly instructed to deal with pre and post nuptial documents, complex children matters, as well as Living Together Agreements in cases of extreme wealth. This experience allows me to find positive solutions in any number of challenging situations.
Whether you’re going to Court or need to negotiate a settlement, I'll help you find the way forward. With a strategic approach and direct, straightforward advice, I’ll work alongside you to achieve the very best outcome for you and your family.
No case is too big or too small, I’ll be on your side and will guide you through the legal maze of family law.