To make sure we give all of our members the best opportunities we possibly can, we decided to host our first ever regional event this season. Our core mission at Bright Network has always been to inspire and encourage all of our members, and that is why we organised Women in Leadership to take place on the 9th of October in Manchester.
The half day event was truly amazing. We invited 60 female members living and studying in the northern regions to explore different career options, take inspiration from female leaders and meet directly with top firms to expand their network.
The day kicked off in the best possible way, with an incredible keynote speech by Miranda Kirschel from EY. She told our members about her 17-year long journey within the nuclear business, her initiatives to improve gender balance within the sector and how she balances motherhood and her responsibilities as a successful business leader.
“Hearing personal stories from successful women in different businesses has allowed me to see my full potential and not be scared to take chances and utilize every opportunity I get – after attending this event I now feel ready for what the future has to bring for me!”
This was followed by a question and answer session with Farhana Patel, a Bright Network Alumni who joined us to share her story of how she secured a role at EY. She spoke candidly about how her career path started with an undergraduate placement at EY, and the journey that lead to her current role in the Transaction Advisory Services at the Manchester office.
The afternoon continued with a panel discussion with female leaders from partner firms EY, BNP Paribas, American Express, P&G, PwC and Willis Towers Watson. Our members gained top tips on how to secure a graduate role and inside knowledge of what top employers look for in applicants, while hearing empowering stories from their everyday work life.
“Be authentic. Be you. There is no recipe for success, so I can’t tell you exactly what we’re looking for in a candidate. All of you have something unique about yourselves that makes you stand out and that’s what we’re looking for. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.” - Jenni Bullivant from PwC
Finally, after a break with some nibbles, tea & coffee, attendees had the opportunity to network among the world-class firms we teamed up with. Representatives from premier sponsorEY, BNP Paribas, American Express, P&G, PwC and Willis Towers Watson were on hand discussing the business world, offering first-hand advice and sharing the work they do to promote gender equality.
“Being in my final year, I felt restricted to my degree and current experience but by attending this event and meeting all the firms, I was shown an insight into different careers which I will definitely pursue”
We’re delighted with the outcome of our first ever regional event and hope that our members left feeling better informed and supported by a strong network of contacts. Most of all, we hope that our members left feeling inspired. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.
Take a closer look at all the pictures from the event here.
What's next?
Enjoyed learning about our regional Women in Leadership Manchester event? Excited to be a part of our next Women in Leadership Manchester event? Register your interest here to be the first to know when applications open.