International Women's Day 2026
On Tuesday 10th March 2026, we held our annual International Women’s Day Event at Central Hall Westminster.
We had over 200 leaders from across our sectors joining us on the day.
We think everyone got inspired.
Dame Karen Jones DBE : a successful entrepreneur, CEO and Non-Executive, with wide-ranging experience in the food, retail, digital and leisure markets: Café Rouge, Whitbread, Punch, ASOS, Virgin Active, Prezzo, Mowgli, The Crown Estate, Deliveroo, Hawksmoor, The National Theatre... Karen was awarded a DBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2022 for Services to Business and Hospitality having received a CBE in 2006 for Services to Hospitality. Karen was also awarded an Honorary Degree (Doctorate of Civil Law) from the University of East Anglia in 2012.
She was joined by her daughters, Molly Easton (Co-Director at Youngwilders) and @Rose Easton (a London-based gallerist and owner of eponymous contemporary art gallery)
David McDowall is CEO at Stonegate Group up, the UK's largest pub company, with over 4000 pubs, bars, and venues across its Managed, Craft Union, and Pub Partners business models.
Sarah Willingham: Sarah is a prominent entrepreneur and serial investor with a career spanning hospitality and consumer facing lifestyle businesses. She has been named among the Sunday Times 500 Most Influential People in Britain, City AM’s 100 Most Influential Entrepreneurs, Courvoisier’s future 500, and is listed in Who’s Who of British Business Leaders.
Amber Wood is a hospitality leader with over 15 years of multi-site experience in some of the best-known brands in the sector. Amber specialises in change management, brand development and innovation underpinned by a high energy and people first approach She currently is the CEO of national bar and restaurant brand The New World Trading Company
Sarah Ainsworth: In 2016 she joined Central Hall Westminster as Finance Director becoming Chief Executive in 2022 The company places a strong emphasis on sustainability, environmental & charitable initiatives and the welfare of their staff. They undertake to carry out all their activities in line with their five key values namely commercial, service minded, generous and ethical.
Kate Nicholls OBE has been CEO of UKHospitality, the powerful voice representing the broad hospitality sector, since its inception in 2018. Kate previously worked as CEO and Strategic Affairs Director of the Association of Licenced Multiple Retailers (ALM@R). Kate sits on the Government’s Tourism, Hospitality, and Food & Drink Sector Councils, where she represents the wider hospitality and tourism sector. As a passionate advocate for inclusivity inhospitality, Kate is also the Government’s first Disability Ambassador for hospitality.
Emma Heal is the Managing Director of Lucky Saint | B Corp™, the UK's #1 and most loved, alcohol-free beer brand. She has worked in consumer goods for around 25 years across Europe and Africa
Marta Pogroszewska : Board Member, Non-Executive Director, Venture Partner and Advisor. Marta progressed from frontline operational roles to Managing Director / and Chief Operating Officer of GAIL's , Bread Holdings Limited / Tortilla Mexican Grill plc. She is a respected industry connector, mentor and keynote speaker, passionate about purpose driven leadership, sustainable growth, and helping leaders step confidently into senior and board level roles.
Emma Colquhoun – WINGSTOP UK (Lemon Pepper Holdings Ltd) : Proven track record of doubling revenue for global brands like Krispy Kreme and Ferrero, she specialises in aligning strategic vision with operational excellence, fostering innovation, and leading high-performing teams to deliver sustainable value.
Panel talk: Extraordinary Ordinary Women: Real Support for Women, hosted by Ceri Gott, Culture & Leadership Coach (ex Hawksmoor)
Featuring:
- Sunaina Sethi: Co-founder & Chief People Officer at JKS Restaurants
- Sofia Gassne: Head of HR at Hawksmoor
- Raj Jones Chartered FCIPD: award-winning senior inclusion, culture and employee experience leader
- Camilla Woods: Services Director at Hospitality Action
Panel: Behind Every Great Experience, hosted by Rachel Jones, Director of People and Change at Sodexo .
Featuring:
- Katharine Gourley: People Director (Strategy) at Travelodge
- Kirstie Loveridge: Chief People Officer at AEG International
- Melanie Dickinson: Chief People Officer at Hollywood Bowl Group Plc
- Champa Magesh: Managing Director The Access Group– Hospitality
You can view all our interviews here and more on our website
Author
Date Published: 20th March 2026
