Students, staff, alumni and industry leaders gathered at Buckinghamshire New University’s High Wycombe campus on Friday 6 March to celebrate International Women’s Day at the 2026 Women in Business Conference.
Centred on the theme Give to Gain, the event brought together a diverse audience for discussions on leadership, inclusion and career development, highlighting the strength of BNU’s community and its strong industry connections.
The morning began with networking, followed by a welcome from Dr Leah Fox, Dean of the College of Leadership and Innovation, who encouraged attendees to reflect on the importance of collaboration, challenging boundaries and the collective impact of women in business.
Guest speakers from across a range of industries shared their professional experiences and insights. Speakers included BNU alumnae Sakilé Graham from GE Healthcare and Abi Frazdaq from PwC, alongside Sharon Blyfield OBE of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Josie Smith, former Chief Technology Officer at Marks & Spencer, and Sophie Campbell, Neurodiversity Diagnostic Clinical Lead.
The conference also featured a panel discussion and networking lunch, providing attendees with further opportunities to exchange ideas, build professional relationships and continue conversations around leadership and inclusion.
By bringing together students, alumni, staff and industry partners, the event celebrated leadership, collaboration and the shared experiences helping to drive positive change across the business community.
