Inclusion powers profit, Celebrating International Women’s Day by Kirsty Rogers
As Co-Chair of the NWBLT’s Rising Stars, and member of the NWBLT board, celebrating International Women’s Day provides me with an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made towards gender equality in the workplace, what more there remains to do, and the role that NWBLT has to play.
At the NWBLT, we know that effective business leaders deliver better places – championing innovation to support inclusive growth and improved productivity – while ensuring a more sustainable economy where everyone can flourish. As such, the NWBLT seeks to champion initiatives that create a more diverse workforce, and a more productive economy for our region and ultimately, our country.
The Rising Stars programme, which I am proud to co-chair, is a testament to this commitment, providing a platform for emerging female leaders to thrive, network, and drive change. Today, I am pleased to reflect on the impact of the Rising Stars, and introduce Andrew Milne, CEO of Nichols plc, as my new co-chair.
The Business Case for Diversity
Diversity and inclusion helps to drive profit, supporting businesses to become more resilient, more innovative, and more productive. If we fail to attract and utilise talent from all backgrounds, we limit the potential of our businesses, because we limit our understanding of our customers, we limit the resilience of our supply chain, we reduce our potential to innovate and we will fail to capitalise on opportunities. For example; a study by BCG (2021) found that companies that focus on inclusive product development can boost their sales by more than 30% by addressing the specific needs of diverse consumer groups. This is just one of many studies evidencing the proven benefit of a diverse workforce that is fully enabled.
The Role of the NWBLT Rising Stars Programme
While progress has been made in opening up opportunities within our region’s workforce there is more to do. The 2025 FTSE Women Leaders Review was launched last week and reported a year-on-year increase with women’s representation reaching a record high of 43% on FSTE 350 boards and 35% in leadership roles. Continued emphasis is required to support those from groups who remain underrepresented within senior positions across all sectors. The NWBLT Rising Stars programme is an initiative aimed at developing the future female leaders of the region. Established in 2018, it provides opportunities for high potential individuals who have been nominated by NWBLT members to gain cross-sector mentorship, build their professional networks, and develop their own leadership skills in a supportive peer network.
In doing so, the programme seeks to break down barriers that have historically hindered gender equality in leadership and which concerningly appear to be re emerging . The NWBLT Rising Stars programme is not just about developing future leaders—it’s about reshaping the business landscape to be more inclusive, equitable, and ultimately, successful.
Participants in the Rising Stars programme benefit from:
- Networking opportunities with peers and senior executives, fostering collaboration and learning. Over the last year, we’ve been delighted to welcome speakers including Sophie Walker (Journalist and Founder of the Women’s Equality Party), Stevie Spring (business leader and NED) and Baroness Nicky Morgan (Ex Cabinet Minister).
- Workshops and training focused on critical leadership skills, including strategic thinking, decision-making, and resilience.
- A supportive community that champions the success of each participant and encourages diverse perspectives.
- Mentorship and guidance from NWBLT business leaders who share their expertise and insights.
Nikki Kenyon, Partner at Warren Partners, is Deputy Chair of the Rising Stars and leads on the mentoring matching. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank her for all her support since the group was convened. The mentoring element of the programme has always been key to its success in supporting females in their journey in becoming the leader they aspire to be. It has also proved an interesting two-way relationship which has given our lead members the benefit of learning from other’s experiences from different sectors and levels from within businesses.
Through this initiative, NWBLT is helping to shape a future where leadership opportunities are accessible to everyone who has the capability, ambition, and vision, irrespective of background. Over 60 high potential businesswomen have been part of our Rising Stars, and it has been fantastic to welcome two of the Rising Stars alumni to the North West Business Leadership Team as ‘lead’ members.
Introducing the new Co-Chair of the Rising Stars
As we look ahead, I am thrilled to introduce Andrew Milne, CEO of Nichols plc, as the new co-chair of the Rising Stars programme. Andrew brings a wealth of experience in business leadership, strategic growth, and people development, making him an invaluable addition to the programme.
Nichols plc, the company behind the iconic Vimto brand, has long been a champion of diversity and inclusion, recognising the vital role that different perspectives play in driving business success. Under Andrew’s leadership, the company has continued to prioritise a people-first approach, ensuring that employees are empowered, engaged, and given equal opportunities to thrive. You can read about Andrew’s own career journey in this NWBLT blog.
Andrew’s commitment to nurturing talent aligns perfectly with the objectives of the Rising Stars programme. His leadership will help to further strengthen the programme’s impact, ensuring that more aspiring leaders—are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to excel.
In accepting this role, Andrew commented; “I am honoured to be joining the NWBLT Rising Stars programme as co-chair. Developing future leaders is something I am deeply passionate about, and I firmly believe that diversity and inclusion is key to unlocking business’ full potential. By supporting emerging talent and championing inclusivity, we can build stronger, more innovative businesses and support the region to flourish.”
As so, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to diversity and inclusion, recognising that when we invest in talent from all corners of society, we invest in a brighter, more prosperous future for all.