The RCT Source

Women bring a unique set of skills and insight into leadership roles and yet there continues to be a lack of women leaders at board level positions across the globe.  The Women into Leadership series aims to provide a platform for women throughout the Council to explore and embrace their unique skill set and act as a springboard for personal growth and development.

The series explored the specific challenges of leading in a virtual world and consisted of expert speakers who joined us to answer key questions and share experiences of their own leadership journey.

As mentioned in our Pioneer's Panel, we are looking to give staff access to the Senior Leadership Team in the Council and give them the opportunity to understand more about the decision-making process-within the Council.  To do this, there are a number of opportunities for you that will help you understand how the Council works.

Please complete the attached form and return to pdt@rctcbc.gov.uk or if you have any queries, please email the team.

For the launch event we were joined by keynote speakers who told us about their leadership journeys and we invited our audience to explore their needs in relation to the subsequent events that were held. 

Guest speakers:

• Chris Bradshaw - Chief Executive
• Gaynor Davies - Director of Education & Inclusion Service
• Melanie Warburton - Diversity & Inclusion Manager
• Cllr Maureen Webber - Deputy Leader/Cabinet Member for Council Business
• The Baroness Wilcox of Newport
• Ruth Morgan - Head of Local Government UK - KPMG

Research has demonstrated that women have been particularly disadvantaged during the pandemic.  In this event we explored the complexities of providing leadership through virtual platforms with remote teams.  We heard from industry leaders on how they have adapted and thrived in the virtual environment.

Guest Speakers:

• Sara Pitt 
• Maria Paviour
• Elaine Pritchard
• Sarah Day
• Deborah Limb

In this session, we focussed on the specific barriers that are unique to women leaders in attaining senior organisational roles and explored how we can dispel some of the stereotypes that exist in relation to women leaders and hear from our pioneer panel on how they have overcome their own barriers.

In this session we explore the specific behaviours and traits that women possess and explore how these can be embraced to bring a unique perspective to an organisation.

Questions to the panellists are invited and you can either raise them on the day or if you would prefer, email pdt@rctcbc.gov.uk where the team can ask them on your behalf

The final session of this series will focus on sustaining and thriving in leadership roles.  We will explore how industry leaders have coped through significant life changes and what lessons they can share from their own experiences.  Finally, we hope to encourage the formation of a women’s network for the Council.