Women Empowering Defence

WED is a pioneering initiative that reshapes the landscape of the defence sector by breaking stereotypes, inspiring change, and promoting diversity.

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

💔💔💔

Utterly devastating news, condolences to their family and friends, may they rest in peace ❣️

[Royal Navy @RoyalNavy]

We can confirm the names of the three Royal Navy personnel who tragically lost their lives during a helicopter training exercise on 3 June:

Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, 42, Somerset
Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, Surrey
PO Owen Green, 24, Hampshire

🔗https://t.co/25RFAkJdqq

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

📣 The June edition of the Women Empowering Defence Frontline News is landing in inboxes now and can be found on the website.

This month, we’re reflecting on some of the moments, conversations, and causes shaping our community across Defence and beyond.

Inside this edition:

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Month – celebrating inclusion, visibility, and belonging

💬 Men’s Health Week – encouraging open conversations and breaking stigma

🎖️ Armed Forces Day – recognising service, sacrifice, and community

📅 Final updates ahead of WED26 – now just weeks away

🏰 Exclusive WED event at the Tower of London

🚀 Introducing WED Unlocked – because everyone leads

🎙️ New WED Talks, WED Reads, leadership insights, community stories, and partner highlights

At WED, we believe progress happens through conversations, inclusive leadership, authentic experiences, and creating environments where people can thrive.

Thank you to everyone contributing to and supporting this growing community.

🔗 Read this month’s newsletter here: https://t.co/rhpKg37wOs

#WomenEmpoweringDefence #WED #Defence #Leadership #Inclusion #Belonging #PrideMonth #MensHealthWeek #ArmedForcesDay #NationalSecurity #LeadershipDevelopment #WeAreWED

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

🎙️ #WEDAsks | Heather Sharp: Building Belonging, Adventure and Confidence for Forces Wives.

This month’s #WEDAsks features an inspiring conversation with Heather Sharp, former Major in the British Army and founder of @ForcesWivesChal (FWC) 💙

Heather’s journey spans from the Wirral to Sandhurst, through ten years of military service in the Royal Engineers, and now to leading a thriving community that empowers over 2,400 women through adventure, challenge, and connection.

Across the interview, Heather reflects on how her military experience shaped her leadership philosophy; grounded in trust, service, and empowering others, rather than hierarchy or authority. She shares powerful insights into how leadership changes across environments, and why empathy, adaptability, and self-awareness are just as critical as structure and discipline.

We also hear the story behind FWC, born from Heather’s own transition out of the Regular Army and her desire to rebuild a sense of purpose, belonging, and adventure for military spouses and partners. Through more than 95 challenges worldwide, FWC is helping women rediscover confidence, resilience, and identity through shared experience 🌍

💡 Key themes from the conversation:

Leadership is about enabling others to succeed

Resilience is built through connection, not isolation

Adventure can be a powerful tool for confidence and personal growth

Military families play a vital role in strengthening the whole Defence community

Authentic leadership is rooted in honesty, empathy, and trust

Heather's reflections are a powerful reminder that leadership doesn’t always come from rank or position, often, it comes from creating spaces where others can grow, step forward, and believe in themselves.

📖 Read the full interview here: https://t.co/fFQe325UvJ

#WomenEmpoweringDefence #WEDAsks #Leadership #Resilience #ArmedForcesCommunity #Inclusion #Defence #Community #WomenInLeadership

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

Amazing, well done to you all 👏👏🥂

[The Chief of the General Staff @ArmyCGS]

An extraordinary triumph of grit, discipline, and sheer determination.

Congratulations to the men and women of The Ranger Regiment who summited Everest this weekend. You, your team, and your support staff epitomise the spirit that defines our Army.

"By all means" 🇬🇧

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

👣 WED ‘In Their Shoes’ | Sharing Stories That Drive Change
At Women Empowering Defence, we are proud to amplify voices that are creating real impact across our community, and this month’s feature from Sgt Kayleigh Lewis is exactly that 💙

Diagnosed with endometriosis at just 13, Kayleigh’s journey has been shaped by resilience, determination, and a clear purpose: to improve support and awareness for women’s health across Defence.

Her story highlights a reality many still face, that conditions like endometriosis, affecting 1 in 10 women in the UK, remain under-discussed, particularly in professional environments. Too often, individuals are left navigating challenges in silence.

But Kayleigh chose to act.

From delivering presentations to leadership teams, to driving conversations around hormonal health, and securing funding for a dedicated Female Health Support Room, her work is already creating meaningful, tangible change.

Her recognition as a finalist in the @womenindefence UK Awards 2025 is a testament not just to her efforts, but to the importance of this conversation.

🌟 Why this matters:

It highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of women’s health

It encourages open, supportive workplace conversations

It shows how lived experience can drive real, lasting change

Kayleigh’s journey is a powerful reminder that speaking up can make a difference, not just for ourselves, but for those who follow.

📖 Take a moment to read her story and reflect on how we can all contribute to more inclusive, supportive environments.
https://t.co/pvyP0eOhL0

#WomenEmpoweringDefence #InTheirShoes #WomensHealth #EndometriosisAwareness #Leadership #Inclusion #Defence #Wellbeing

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

Since launching in May, our #WED In The Moment series has been bringing timely conversations, insights, and perspectives to the forefront highlighting the moments that matter most across the diversity calendar and our sector 🌍✨

Created and managed by Gemma Foster, WED In The Moment explores key topics including International Women’s Day, Stress Awareness, and much more, helping to spark meaningful discussion and reflection across our community.

The series is designed to keep important conversations visible, relevant, and connected to the world around us sharing topical insight, celebrating awareness moments, and encouraging continued learning and inclusion,

A huge thank you to everyone who has engaged with and supported the series so far. We’re looking forward to continuing the conversation throughout the year 💬✨

Read the articles here: https://t.co/oyhIhFDiD5

#WEDInTheMoment #Inclusion #Diversity #Equity #Belonging #Awareness #Leadership

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

@YeomanWarder417 @Foxy2Para When I get that brew from Foxy I will give you a wave from his window 😃

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

@Foxy2Para look forward to coming in for a cuppa when I am next in town.

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

👥 The Art of Influence: What Parenting Can Teach Us About Leadership 🎯

What can parenting teach us about leadership? Quite a lot, it turns out. 👶➡️👩‍💼

In her latest article, Dr Claire Woollacott CPhys MInstP of Actica Consulting explores how the skills developed through parenting; influence, empathy, negotiation, communication, and emotional intelligence, directly translate into effective leadership in the workplace.

From motivating without authority to building trust through autonomy and explaining the “why” behind decisions, Claire shares practical and relatable examples of how influence often achieves far more than hierarchy ever can.

💡The article is a powerful reminder that so-called “soft skills” are in fact critical leadership strengths, and that experiences outside of work can shape how we lead within it. 🌟

We’re looking forward to Part 2 next month, where Claire will explore emotional intelligence in parenting and leadership, and what handling toddler meltdowns can teach us about navigating workplace frustrations.

Read the article here: https://t.co/3dLwWYo99p

#Leadership #Influence #EmotionalIntelligence #WomenofWED #InclusiveLeadership #WorkingParents #LeadershipDevelopment #WomenEmpoweringDefence #WeAreWED

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

@pardeep19922328 Happy birthday, looking forward to seeing you soon ❣️

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

📌 WED Weekend Ponders

“What’s draining your leadership energy more than it should?”

Sustainable leadership isn’t about endurance alone, it’s about wise energy choices. Notice where your energy is going.

Let this sit with you over the weekend.

#WEDWeekendPonders #LeadershipReflection #IntentionalLeadership #LeadershipPause #LeadWithClarity #EmpoweredLeadership

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

⏳ 8 Weeks to Go Until #WED26 ⏳

The countdown is officially on!

In just 8 weeks, we’ll be coming together for #WED26, our Annual Leadership Conference that brings together inspiring voices, powerful conversations, and a community committed to driving change across defence and beyond.

From thought-provoking keynote speakers and leadership panels to our Insight Zones, networking opportunities, and Gala Dinner, #WED26 is designed to challenge, inspire and empower.

This year’s agenda is packed with conversations around inclusive leadership, confidence, resilience, and leading in complex environments, because real leadership starts from within.

Whether you’re attending for the first time or returning as part of the WED community, we cannot wait to welcome you.

The free ballot places may now be closed, but excitement is building and preparations are well underway for what promises to be an unforgettable event.

Let the countdown begin ❣️

#WED26 #WomenEmpoweringDefence #LeadershipConference #WomenInLeadership #DefenceIndustry #Leadership #Networking #Inclusion #Empowerment #WeAreWED

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

📸 WED Hold Fast Challenge Photos Are Live! 💪

What a day it was! The energy, teamwork, and determination on display at the WED All Female Hold Fast Challenge made it truly unforgettable 🌟

We’re excited to share that all the photos from the day are now available on the website, so you can relive the mud, the laughs, and the incredible moments of resilience and camaraderie.

A huge thank you again to everyone who took part, supported, and helped make the day such a success. It’s safe to say… we’re already thinking about doing it all again next year 👀

So the question is… are you up for the challenge? 💥

Take a look here: https://t.co/0rV87giQnO

#WomenEmpoweringDefence #HoldFastChallenge #Teamwork #Resilience #Community #ChallengeYourself #WeAreWED

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

Frontline News From Women Empowering Defence (WED) | May Edition
As we move into May, momentum across the WED community continues to grow, driven by the collective commitment to inclusion, leadership, and meaningful change across Defence, Government, and National Security 🚀

This month shines a spotlight on Women’s Health Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Stroke Awareness Month, powerful reminders that wellbeing must remain a priority in high-performing environments 💙

Across WED, we’re continuing to create space for open conversations, reduce stigma, and support one another in ways that strengthen both individuals and organisations.

🔹 Key highlights this month:

🎙️ Launch of Leadership Unfiltered – a bold new series exploring the realities of leadership beyond the polished narrative

📅 Upcoming WED event with Computacenter: Human Advantage in a Technology-Driven Defence Environment (21 May, London)

🎟️ #WED26 update – such incredible demand, were now operating a waitlist ahead of what promises to be a transformational event

💪 Inspiring community impact through initiatives like the All Female Hold Fast Challenge, raising funds and championing resilience

🌟 Powerful personal stories across our In Their Shoes, Inside Out, and In the Moment features, reminding us of the human experiences behind the mission

We also continue to amplify important conversations around:

✔️ Women’s health in the workplace

✔️ Mental health, resilience, and psychological safety 🧠

✔️ Leadership, culture, and inclusion 🤝

✔️ The importance of awareness and action in critical health areas

At its core, WED is about people, supporting, uplifting, and empowering one another to thrive 💫

Thank you to everyone across the network for your continued energy and commitment. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive future for Defence.

#WomenEmpoweringDefence #Leadership #Inclusion #MentalHealthAwareness #WomensHealth #Defence #NationalSecurity #Wellbeing #LeadershipDevelopment #WeAreWED #WED26

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

📌 WED Weekend Ponder

“Which decisions still need you, and which ones don’t?”

Clarity around decision-making creates pace, confidence, and capability.

Let this sit with you over the weekend.

#WEDWeekendPonders #LeadershipReflection #IntentionalLeadership #SustainableLeadership #LeadershipGrowth #BetterLeadership

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

Due to overwhelming demand, we’ve made the decision to close sign-ups early for the free WED ballot tickets for our Annual Leadership Conference #WED26.

We know this may be disappointing news for some, and we truly appreciate the incredible interest and support for this year’s event.

Everyone who secured a place has now been contacted and has confirmed their attendance.

We are currently operating a waitlist and will be in touch as and when spaces become available.

If you’re a business looking to purchase tickets for your team to attend, or if you’d like to join us for the Gala Dinner, we’d love to hear from you.

Please get in touch at [email protected] for pricing information.

Thank you for being part of the #WED community, we can’t wait to bring everyone together for another inspiring event.

#WomenEmpoweringDefence #WEDConference #LeadershipConference #WomenInLeadership #DefenceIndustry #Networking #GalaDinner #Leadership

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

In this months #WEDCollaborates we have a really important piece from Mollie Hatton, Sanderson Government & Defence, exploring a challenge that the tech sector still hasn’t fully solved: why so many women leave the industry by the age of 35.

Despite progress in attracting women into STEM, the data tells a more complex story, with women still making up only around 25% of the tech workforce, and representation dropping even further at leadership level.

Mollie highlights that this isn’t simply a “pipeline problem”, but a mid-career retention challenge, where systemic barriers, culture, and lack of visible role models all play a part.

Key themes that stand out:

🔹 The sharp drop-off of women in mid-to-senior leadership roles

🔹 A culture that can feel fast-paced, high-pressure, and exclusionary

🔹 The importance of mentorship, belonging, and visible role models

🔹 The need for genuinely supportive return-to-work pathways for parents

🔹 Flexible, family-friendly policies as a retention imperative, not a perk

The article is a powerful reminder that attracting women into tech is only the beginning. The real measure of progress is whether we create environments where women can stay, progress, and lead.

If we want lasting change, we need to move beyond conversation and focus on culture, leadership accountability, and structural support across every stage of a career.

Read the article here: https://t.co/ItZEThbPxo

#WomenInTech #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #STEM #TechCareers #GenderEquality #FutureOfWork #WomenInLeadership #Inclusion #Technology

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

A massive good luck to all the incredible individuals in the Women Empowering Defence CIC network who are taking on today's London Marathon! 🏃‍♀️✨

Your dedication, resilience, and determination are truly inspiring, not just on race day, but every step of the journey getting there.

We are all rooting for you and cheering you on from start to finish. Whether you’re running for a personal goal, a great cause, or simply to prove to yourself what’s possible, you are already amazing.

Wishing you strength, success, and an unforgettable marathon experience. Go smash it! 💜👏

#LondonMarathon #WomenEmpoweringDefence #GoodLuck #MarathonDay #Inspiration #DefenceCommunity
#WeAreWED

[Women Empowering Defence @WEDUKNetwork]

📌 WED Weekend Ponder

“Where are you stepping in when stepping back might create more ownership?”

Support is important. So is space. Consider where empowerment might begin with restraint.

Let this sit with you over the weekend.

#WEDWeekendPonders #LeadershipReflection #IntentionalLeadership #LeadershipPause #LeadWithClarity #EmpoweredLeadership