Flagship Agenda 2026: Women In Data Registration

Travel update - Women in Data Flagship Event – Fully Confirmed 26 March

TfL strike disruption is currently planned for Thursday 26 March 2026.

The Women in Data Flagship event will go ahead as planned at the InterContinental London - The O2 in North Greenwich.

All speakers and partners remain fully confirmed for the event.

The Women in Data team is currently working on contingency travel plans to make it as straightforward as possible for delegates to reach the venue despite the disruption. This includes reviewing alternative routes, river travel options and practical connections to North Greenwich.

A detailed travel guide will be published here shortly with clear recommendations to help delegates plan their journeys.

We look forward to welcoming you and c3,500 members of the Women in Data community for what promises to be an exceptional day.

Maria Herrero-Bullich, Chief Customer & Digital Officer - Scottish Widows
Susan Hope, Business Development Director - Scottish Widows

Scottish Widows has tracked women’s preparedness for retirement for over 20 years through the Women and Retirement report. The latest data shows that the gender pension gap remains stubbornly high, with women retiring on average £113,000 less in pension savings than men. In this session, Maria Herrero-Bullich and Susan Hope will walk through some of the inequalities at play that build up over time and shape long term outcomes for women. Susan will explain how they are using the insights from the report to create practical, easily accessible solutions for the women of the UK. Maria will talk in more detail about a data led approach, gamification developments and will introduce the new Scottish Widows career break modelling tool. The tool has been designed to help women and families understand the financial consequences of career breaks. The report this year shows that 40% of women did not plan financially for their break, resulting in 51% of them struggling whilst they were off work. This will be a practical session focussing on moving from awareness to action.

Dr Freya Garry, Senior Scientist in Climate Resilience - Met Office
Dr. Jennifer Belissent, Principal Data Strategist - Snowflake

Join Dr. Freya Garry from the Met Office and Snowflake’s Dr. Jennifer Belissent for their hot take on the intersection of climate science and data strategy. Hear about the importance of data science in weather and climate, and how climate services are helping to support the transition of organisations from "weather-aware" to "climate-resilient." Learn how to improve the equity of resilience with greater access to data from a diverse range of sources. Whether a data geek or a climate advocate, come for inspiration about cross-industry collaboration and ways to get involved in global initiatives tackling weather and climate data for societal resilience.

Priscilla Li, VP - frog
Rachael Burford, Head of Women’s Rugby – International Rugby Players

Step into the fast-paced world of elite sport and discover how data and AI are helping make women’s rugby more accessible and engaging for a globally diverse audience. Join an inspiring panel featuring England rugby star Rachael Burford, Priscilla Li, Head of Data and High Tech at frog, part of Capgemini Invent, and Women in Data®, as they explore how technology is supporting visibility, storytelling, and understanding across the women’s game.

This session will spotlight Capgemini and World Rugby’s collaborative Tryzone IQ experience for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, designed to enhance the fan and viewing experience by turning complex match data into clear, compelling insights delivered in real time. From enriching expert analysis to helping new and existing fans engage with the action, we’ll unpack how AI driven insights are being thoughtfully applied to support a more connected and inclusive tournament experience.

If you’re passionate about innovation, sport, and the power of data to break barriers, this is the conversation you won’t want to miss.

Fiona Sweeney, Strategy Director - Women in Data®

Our annual research is more than a snapshot of the industry- it is a collective voice, a way of understanding how professionals across data and AI are truly experiencing their working lives. From career development and workplace culture to wellbeing and inclusion, the insights provide the evidence we need to map the evolving reality of life in data.

Understand how the people working in Data and AI really feel today-and what it means for the future of our teams, organisations and personal careers

We launched the Women in Data® LEAP Programme last year with a clear mission - to elevate women in data, AI and technology into the senior roles where their influence will reshape the future. Through expert coaching, practical leadership frameworks and the strength of a high‑impact mentoring programme, LEAP equips its delegates with the strategic presence, confidence and leadership strength needed to transform data‑driven organisations.

Today, we honour the women who have taken that LEAP. Fabulous individuals who have invested in their growth, challenged themselves, and emerged as leaders ready to shape the next chapter of our industry.

Join us as we celebrate the graduation of the newest cohort of Women in Data®’s Leadership Equity Accelerator Programme, and the future they are now ready to shape.

With more than four decades shaping British television and radio, Sandi Toksvig OBE has become one of the most recognisable and respected voices in media today. She has written nearly thirty books, including her latest novel, ‘Friends of Dorothy' (2024), a Sunday Times bestseller, and has hosted beloved shows such as The Great British Bake Off and the internationally acclaimed QI.

In addition to her broadcasting career, Sandi has been a lifelong activist and is currently a bye-fellow at Christ's College, Cambridge, working to create a female-friendly alternative to Wikipedia.

It is her commitment to championing women’s rights and equality that truly defines her enduring legacy. Having developed an early awareness of the disparities faced by women in society, Sandi has made it central to her advocacy to dismantle gender-based stereotypes and wider systemic barriers.

A pioneer on screen, an advocate beyond it – and a powerful voice that celebrates individuality and diversity, Sandi encourages people to embrace their authentic selves regardless of societal expectations

Louise Le, Senior Data Evangelist - Virgin Media O2
Lisa Petherick, Virgin Media O2
Mauro Flores, EVP Data Democratisation - Virgin Media O2

How do you take a whole organisation from “I’m not a data person” to 16,000 colleagues confidently using data every day?

In this talk, we share how Virgin Media O2 is putting data culture at the heart of its data transformation. You’ll hear how a two woman Data Culture team built organisation wide momentum through creative engagement, hands on learning, and immersive activities - from fairs and games to data driven adventures on Mars.

Join us to learn practical ways to scale data culture, overcome fear and build a workforce that feels empowered by data

Kate Platonova, SVP & CIO for Downstream, Trading & Renewable Energy Solutions - Shell

Kate delivers a personal and inspiring exploration of leadership, identity, and the evolving role of data. Drawing on her journey as an immigrant woman in senior leadership, she shares honest reflections on resilience, purpose and leading with intent. Kate explores how we can actively encourage more girls and women to pursue data and technology careers, highlighting the importance of allyship, and how organisations can help shift the trajectory. She also explores why strong data foundations matter in enabling organisational value and innovation. Her message invites audiences to “make your move,” act with purpose and help build a more inclusive, empowered data community.

Jane Smith, Field Chief Data & AI Officer, EMEA - Thoughtspot
Tor Powell , Senior Insight and Analytics Manager - Superdrug
Morna McAulay, Director of Trips Data Engineering - Booking.com

As you work to democratise data and embed AI into everyday decisions, a critical question emerges: Does more access actually create more value?

In this panel, senior data leaders from Booking.com and Superdrug will join ThoughtSpot to answer the defining questions:

How do you measure the ROI of data democratisation?
What are the cultural barriers that derail AI adoption efforts?
How do you scale access without compromising governance?

You’ll get proven strategies to measure the impact of democratisation, identify early warning signs of failure, and create a data culture that scales with you.

Senior National Security Officials

In this fireside session, you will hear from two of the UK’s most senior women working in national security about how they use data, technology and AI to keep the country safe – in the real world and online.

Operating at the edge of the impossible to maintain a tech advantage over our adversaries, they will share their experience of working at the highest levels of the national security community, where they are often the only women at the table. With decades of experience between them, they will offer a unique insight into the threats we face and how everyone can play their part in helping to keep the country safe

Natalie Cramp, Partner - JMAN Group
Dame Kelly Holmes MBE (mil) OLY, Double Olympic Champion
Kate Muir, Women’s Health Expert, Investigative Journalist and Documentary Maker

Personal experience. Alarming data. A platform that enables change. These have been the motivation for our amazing panel to drive change in Women’s Health. However, taking action isn’t easy – join this panel to hear their experiences campaigning for change, where they have found their personal resilience and their top tips, whether you are looking to change the world of Women’s Health or shift hearts and minds in your organisation.

As we reflect on the remarkable journey of two-time Olympic Gold Medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, we celebrate not just her extraordinary achievements but also her enduring impact as a role model and inspiration worldwide. 

Dame Kelly's story began when she joined the British Army at just 17, where she served for nearly a decade as a qualified HGV driver and Physical Training Instructor. Her dedication and service were recognised in 1998 when she was awarded an MBE by King Charles, honouring her contributions to the armed forces.

Her illustrious athletic career spanned 12 years, during which she claimed multiple medals at the Commonwealth, European, World, and Olympic levels, the pinnacle of which came in 2004 at the Athens Olympic Games, where she made history as the first British woman ever to win two gold medals in a single Olympics, In recognition of her monumental achievements in sport, she was honoured with a Damehood by the late Queen Elizabeth in 2005.

In 2008, Dame Kelly founded the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, a groundbreaking initiative that pairs world-class athletes with disadvantaged youth, empowering them to realize their potential. Her philanthropic efforts have garnered numerous accolades, including the Beacon Award for Philanthropy in 2017 and the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s Arthur Bell Trophy in 2023.

From 2018 to 2024, Dame Kelly held the prestigious role of Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment, making history as the first individual to be attached to a regular regiment in this capacity-an appointment that required the approval of the late Queen Elizabeth.

Dame Kelly's influence extends beyond athletics. In 2024, she received an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, adding to a remarkable collection of 13 honorary degrees she has received since retiring. Her powerful documentary, "Kelly Holmes: Being Me," aired in June 2022, showcasing her journey toward authenticity and her commitment to advocating for diversity and inclusion.

As a global inspirational and motivational speaker for over 20 years, a TV presenter, and a trained Mental Health First Aider, Dame Kelly continues to be a voice for change. She embodies resilience, determination, and the spirit of empowerment, serving as a true trailblazer for countless causes.

WOMEN IN DATA® FLAGSHIP 2026 EMPOWERMENT STAGE AGENDA

WOMEN IN DATA® FLAGSHIP 2026

EMPOWERMENT STAGE AGENDA