Women's Business Council refreshed to help break down barriers for opportunity for women at work
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-09)

The Women's Business Council (WBC) brings together business leaders who work to boost women’s representation in the workplace.

- the government refreshes the Women’s Business Council (WBC) to support the growth mission and Plan for Change, unleashing productivity by supporting women at work
- WBC will help put more money in working women’s pockets
- new members confirmed, representing business sectors up and down the country
Working women will benefit from a refreshed WBC, supporting the government’s Plan for Change by tackling barriers to workplace equality and boosting economic growth.

WBC brings together business leaders who strive to boost women’s representation in the workplace as the government works to transform the lives of working women.

New members announced today bring a wealth of experience to WBC from high growth sectors including digital and technologies, financial services and professional and business services where women are under-represented, as well as sectors like retail that are big employers of women.

WBC will identify and tackle barriers that stand in the way of women’s success. As well as addressing the gender pay gap and sexual harassment in the workplace, WBC will also be looking at pay and progression, productivity and showcasing British best practice globally.

This builds on the government’s commitment to supporting women at work. The Employment Rights Bill will improve parity for women in the workplace, including through the introduction of mandatory gender pay gap and menopause action plans, deliver more protections for pregnant women and new mothers and strengthen safeguards against sexual harassment.

Seema Malhotra MP, Minister for Equalities, said:

This government is committed to breaking down the barriers to opportunity which have held working women back, and the Women’s Business Council will play a key role in that.

Our Plan for Change is supporting women’s economic empowerment – alongside expanding childcare and supporting flexible working. That is great for women’s finances, women’s leadership in business, and is great for growth.

WBC chair, Mary Macleod, said:

I look forward to working with the newly refreshed Women’s Business Council to maximise women’s contribution to economic growth.

I know their experience and leadership will be crucial as we work across business sectors to share learning on improving gender equality in the workplace and drive change on women’s economic advancement, to create an environment where women can achieve their potential.

Improving gender equality at work

We have robust evidence on how employers can improve gender equality in the workplace, to ensure they can fully untap the potential of women. The government has already published practical guidance for employers on evidence-based actions they can take to improve gender equality in the workplace. WBC members will help shape further guidance for employers as they adopt the changes and will act as champions in their sectors, encouraging businesses to do more.

As well as this, using expertise from their industries, WBC members will help us to shape that evidence into action which maximises women’s contribution to economic growth by driving productivity, innovation and competitiveness.

The government has also appointed women’s wellbeing campaigner Mariella Frostrup as menopause employment ambassador who will work closely with employers across the country to improve workplace support for women experiencing menopause.

WBC will amplify the work of the menopause employment ambassador and her menopause advisory group, driving changes across an even wider network.

Kickstarting economic growth is the government’s number one mission. Our Plan for Change will increase household income all over the country and drive up growth to raise living standards and improve public services. This can only be achieved by bringing businesses right to the heart of our growth mission.

WBC’s new work plan will be shaped around our 10-year industrial strategy, supporting the government in building on the UK’s unique sectoral opportunities and creating the right conditions for investment.

WBC will work with businesses, policymakers and other stakeholders to identify and remove the barriers that women face at different stages of their lives and careers.

Members of WBC include:
- Mary Macleod, Partner and Chair, Board and CEO Practice in August Leadership, former Chief Executive of Business in the Community, is the current chair of the WBC
- Claire Given, Founder at Equipmii
- Rachel Higham, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at M&S
- Sasha Wiggins, Chief Executive Officer at Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management
- Shaheen Sayed, Head of UK, Ireland and Africa at Accenture
- Shirine Khoury-Haq, Group Chief Executive Officer at Co-op
- Sian Fussell Co-Founder at Albotherm
- David Ziyambi, Partner at Latham & Watkins
- James Hadley, UK Managing Partner at Bain
Notes to editors

The WBC was established in 2012, to advise the government on how to maximise women’s contribution to economic growth. It reports to the Minister for Women and Equalities.

How to improve gender equality in the workplace: actions for employers

The Office for Equality and Opportunity (OEO) report, How to improve gender equality in the workplace: actions for employers (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-improve-gender-equality-in-the-workplace-actions-for-employers), highlights evidence-based actions for employers that have been shown to improve outcomes for gender equality in the workplace, including to reduce the gender pay gap.

Invest 2035

The new modern industrial strategy – Invest 2035 (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/invest-2035-the-uks-modern-industrial-strategy/invest-2035-the-uks-modern-industrial-strategy) – is the UK government’s credible, 10-year plan to deliver the certainty and stability businesses need to invest in the high growth sectors that will drive our growth mission.

The strategy will focus on tackling barriers to growth in our highest potential growth-driving sectors and places, creating the right conditions for increased investment, high-quality jobs and ensuring tangible impact in communities right across the UK.

The strategy’s goal is to capture a greater share of internationally mobile investment in strategic sectors and spur domestic businesses to boost their investment and scale up their growth – an essential step in achieving sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth.

Media enquiries

Find out how to contact the OEO press office (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-equality-and-opportunity/about/media-enquiries).