International Women’s Day Lunch 2026
#GivetoGain - Advancing Women Through Shared Success.
You are invited to celebrate with us at our International Women’s Day Lunch 2026, an inspiring gathering focused on connection, impact, and shared success.
Organised by the pro-women Committee, this event promises to be a remarkable celebration. Following last year’s phenomenal turnout of over 400 attendees, we are preparing for an even bigger and more inclusive experience.
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, this panel centres on the #GivetoGain mindset and the belief that generosity, collaboration, and intentional support are powerful drivers of progress.
This discussion will focus on real and practical ways to champion women’s advancement, both formally and informally, through mentorship, equitable access to resources, shared knowledge, leadership pathways, visibility, and inclusive workplace cultures. By shifting from competition to cooperation, we accelerate progress not only for women, but for our collective future.
These partnerships reflect the power of generosity, accountability, and collective responsibility in creating fairer futures.
This event is open to all. Regardless of gender identity, social background, sexual orientation, or any other distinction, you are not just welcome, you are celebrated. Save the date for this empowering and diverse gathering.
More speaker announcements comin soon.
Because when women thrive, we all rise.
We are proud to partner with the Horizon Scandal Fund, an independent organisation that provides grants to people in need for counselling, therapy, respite breaks, hardship support, and essential assistance. Alongside them, Lost Chances represents the adult children of former SubPostmasters affected by the Post Office Scandal, one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British history. Their mission is to help redress the opportunities taken from them during childhood as a result of the actions of the Post Office and Fujitsu.
About the Speakers:
Seema Misra is a courageous advocate and campaigner best known for her role in exposing one of the UK’s biggest miscarriages of justice — the Post Office Horizon IT scandal. A former sub-postmistress wrongfully convicted in 2010 while pregnant with her second child, Seema’s strength, resilience, and unwavering fight for justice have become a powerful symbol of endurance and integrity.
Her personal journey from wrongful conviction to eventual exoneration has inspired national attention and reform. Today, Seema is a prominent voice for justice, speaking passionately about truth, accountability, and the strength of women in the face of adversity.
She continues to support others affected by injustice and works to raise awareness through media appearances, public speaking, and community engagement. Seema’s story is not only one of survival but of turning pain into purpose.
Rebecca is the current Chair for Forever Manchester, following a stint as Treasurer. Rebecca also sits on the advisory board of Girls Out Loud. She is passionate about equality, diversity, and inclusion and leads Crowe’s Women’s Empowerment Programme, supporting the female pipeline and promoting an environment where everyone, regardless of gender or background, can reach their full potential.
Siobhan Forster is a senior director with management consultancy company Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), serving as co-lead of their technology disputes practice. With a background in forensic computing, Siobhan specialises in providing advisory and expert services within information technology / information system focussed disputes, insurance claims, litigations and arbitrations.
Siobhan has provided advisory and expert services within many high-value, complex technology matters.
Between 2017 to 2019, she was the chief analyst and case manager of the technical expert team, engaged on behalf of the Claimants for the Horizon Issues trial in Bates & Others v Post Office Ltd (aka the Post Office scandal). Her work behind the scenes for the Horizon Issues trial uncovered many of the bugs, errors, defects, governance and process flaws within the Horizon System that led to Subpostmaster branch account shortfalls and discrepancies.
Clare is CEO and founder of Kids Planet, which she founded in 2008, having noticed a lack of high quality, flexible childcare for working parents when looking for her own childcare. Kids Planet provides the highest standard of nursery care in unique environments across England and Wales, and their head office is in Lymm Cheshire.
The company has grown considerably in size since it first opened, with over 250 settings to date through acquisitions and organic growth, with aspirations to expand further across England. They are responsible for the care of over 35,000 children and employ over 7,000 staff.
Clare was Barclays Female Entrepreneur in 2017 and the business has been awarded numerous awards at The Nursery World and NMT national events.
Clare received an OBE in 2022 for her commitment and dedication to the Early Years Sector over the years. She also received Outstanding Contribution at the NMT Nursery Awards in 2022.
Stacey Copeland has represented her country in two sports, football and boxing.
As a footballer she represented England U18’s, played in the women’s premier league, and also competed abroad in America, Brazil and Sweden.
As a boxer she won a European silver medal before turning professional and making history in 2018 when she became the first British woman to win the Commonwealth title.
In 2017 she founded Pave The Way, a charity which aims to challenge gender stereotypes of girls, boys, men and women; she also features in ‘Game On’ a documentary about women’s sport which airs on Netflix and Sky.
Stacey is an experienced public speaker and has spoken at European Parliament, the United Nations, and delivered two TED talks. Since retiring from sport Stacey has moved into broadcasting as a boxing commentator, and radio and TV presenter on the BBC, ITV and Sky Sports and in February 2025 she became the first female ever to commentate on boxing on BBC 5Live.
Interested In The Event?
If you’re interested in attending, you can book online here.
For any further enquires about this event, contact [email protected]
