The Southport Learning Trust International Women’s Day Conference 2025 brought together Year 10 girls from across the Trust for a day of empowerment, inspiration, and action.
Held at The Little Theatre in Southport, the event focused on this year’s theme: ‘Accelerate Action’, encouraging young women to step up, take initiative, and drive change in their lives and communities.
The session began with a warm welcome from Ms. Hinde of Greenbank High School, who introduced the themes, thanked students and staff, and expressed gratitude to The Little Theatre for hosting the event. Student leaders from Meols Cop, Stanley, Range, Greenbank and Maghull took the stage to welcome their peers. Many shared personal reflections on what ‘Accelerate Action’ meant to them, from breaking barriers in male-dominated fields to advocating for social change.
The line-up of guest speakers featured accomplished women from a wide range of industries, each offering unique perspectives and insights.
Hannah Dowd, an employment law specialist at Aaron and Partners spoke first.
A former KGV College student, she shared her journey from studying law at the University of Chester to becoming a solicitor, emphasizing the importance of resilience and standing up for fairness in the workplace.
Following Hannah, Lucy Easthope, a leading expert in emergency planning and disaster recovery, took to the stage.
As the author of When the Dust Settles: Stories of Love, Loss and Hope from an Expert in Disaster, she has advised organisations and governments worldwide about emergency planning, including Sefton Council in response to the Southport incidents of summer 2024.
Her talk highlighted the crucial role of leadership and adaptability in navigating crises, and the importance of considering women’s lives and experiences in disaster planning.
Next, Emily Spurrell, Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner, shared her experiences in public service.
Now in her second term, Emily has focused on crime prevention, tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, increasing police transparency, and supporting victims. Her message resonated deeply with students, demonstrating the power of bold female leadership in driving meaningful change.
The audience then heard from Laurence Crouzet, Global Disruptive Innovation Director at Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing.
With over 25 years of international experience in beauty, market development, and innovation strategy, Laurence has worked across Europe, the US, and Latin America, leading diverse global teams. She has played a pivotal role in developing new products for brands like Dove, Tresemmé, Rexona, Axe, K18, and Living Proof.
Having joined Unilever after completing her PhD in Chemistry, Laurence has spent the last five years focusing on disruptive innovation, exploring the intersection of beauty, wellbeing, and sustainability. Her journey underscored the importance of embracing STEM careers and using innovation to drive progress. Her metaphor of a career as a journey and her advice on global citizenship resonated with the students.
Adding another perspective, Fran Slater, a Senior Air Traffic Controller at NATS, shared insights from her career in aviation. As one of the few women in her field, she spoke about the high-pressure nature of the job and the critical role of decision-making, precision, and responsibility in ensuring global aviation safety. Her talk encouraged students to consider careers in aviation and engineering, fields where women remain underrepresented.
The final speaker of the session was Angela Spencer, Director of Virago Wellness, an award-winning coach and mentor specialising in corporate coaching and women’s career development. Angela’s message focused on self-belief, confidence, and the power of mentorship. She encouraged students to take control of their futures, seek out opportunities for growth, and support one another in their career journeys.
As the conference came to a close, it was clear that the theme of ‘Accelerate Action’ had resonated with all in attendance.
The speakers’ stories, insights, and advice inspired students to think differently about their futures—to step forward with confidence, challenge limitations, and take bold action toward their goals. With a powerful lineup of speakers, meaningful discussions, and an atmosphere of empowerment, this year’s Southport Learning Trust International Women’s Day Conference will leave a lasting impact on the young women of Greenbank, Maghull, Meols Cop, Stanley, and Range High Schools.
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