Leading the Charge: Reflections from the International Women’s Day Breakfast 2026
From left to right: Shraddha Nair, Nadia Cote, Teresa Arbuckl, Frederique Carrier, Lynn Maxwell
This morning, the historic halls of The In & Out Club in London were filled with a different kind of energy—the electric, purposeful ambition of women ready to redefine the future of business. As the Chapter Leader for Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE) UK, I had the privilege of representing our community at the International Women’s Day Breakfast, hosted by the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce.
This event marked the launch of a vital 2026 series profiling senior female leaders, and the insights shared were both a "wake-up call" and a roadmap for the work we do at WiRE.
An inspiring keynote was delivered by Vivienne Artz
The Reality of the Data
The morning opened with a data-driven keynote by Vivienne Artz OBE, CEO of the FTSE Women Leaders Review. While we often celebrate "progress," Vivienne’s market analysis provided a sobering perspective on the actual percentage of women in C-suite, Chair, and senior management roles across both public and private sectors.
One statistic stood out: at our current pace, parity is not expected until 2053. In an industry as fast-moving as Renewable Energy, we know we cannot wait thirty years for balance. Success in 2026 requires more than just participation; it requires an intentional, proactive strategy to break the ceiling.
You can also read the full report by FTSE here
Navigating the 2026 Leadership Landscape
Following the data, I listened to a powerhouse panel featuring Frederique Carrier, Lynn Maxwell, Nadia Cote, and Teresa Arbuckle, alongside Vivienne. They moved beyond the numbers to discuss what it actually takes to lead in today’s volatile environment.
As a leader in the energy transition, several themes resonated deeply with our mission at WiRE:
Redefining Leadership: Moving away from traditional hierarchies to navigate the complexities of AI integration and hybrid working.
The Power of the Non-Linear Path: Many of our panelists didn't take a "straight line" to the top. This is particularly relevant for the renewable sector, where we draw talent from diverse engineering, policy, and financial backgrounds.
Overcoming the Barriers: We discussed the "messages behind the data"—the invisible hurdles that still exist and, more importantly, the concrete actions corporations must take to foster growth rather than just "hiring for diversity."
Lessons for the Next Generation
What I took away most from this morning is that mentorship and networking aren't just "nice-to-haves"—they are the infrastructure of a successful career. The challenges we face in 2026—from navigating global energy shifts to mastering emerging technologies—require a collective resilience.
At WiRE, we are committed to ensuring that the "next generation" of senior business women doesn't have to wait until 2053. By uncovering the truth in the data and sharing the "how-to" of those who have already paved the way, we are accelerating that timeline together.
A huge thank you to the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce for hosting such a high-impact session. It was an honor to represent the WiRE community as we continue to champion women leading the global energy transition.
Learn more about WiRE UK
Learn more about Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce
