BE INSPIRED 2025 AGENDA

Wednesday 26 March
Wembley Stadium

9am

Number Nine

9:45–10:05am

Bobby Moore

Welcome and introductions

Welcome from Yvonne Harrison, CEO, Women in Football
Introductions and overview of the day from host Reshmin Chowdhury, sports journalist and broadcaster 

10:05–10:50am

Bobby Moore

Main plenary panel session

Women in Football: Challenging the System, Changing the Game, Shaping the Future
Supported by the Premier League

Our panel discusses lobbying for change, the recent progress made and the ongoing work to ensure access and opportunity for all women working in the game

Hosted by Hayley McQueen, Sky Sports News Anchor

Panellists:

• Rafaela Pimenta, football agent
• Matthew Ryder, non-executive director, Premier League
• Kelly Simmons OBE, sports consultant; Women in Football director

10:55am–11:45am

Bobby Moore
The Arc
Three Lions

Breakout 1

Panel
The Team Behind The Team: The Backbone of Success
Supported by Road3

Hear from the professional support network behind successful top players

Hosted by Natalie Pirks, BBC Sports Correspondent

Panellists:

• Simon Barker, Director of Player Services, Professional Footballers' Association
• Ruth Careaga, Financial Advisor, Thomson Private Wealth
• Liz Ellen, founder, Livida Sport; Women in Football director
• Sofia Thomas, partner, Juno International 
• Remmie Williams, FIFA-registered agent, Tongue Tied Management 

Breakout 2

Workshop
Networking for Success: Unleashing Your Inner Connector

Supported by Evelyn Partners

Facilitated by Jane Purdon, author, Chair, Professional Game Academy Audit Company and Women in Football ambassador

Breakout 3

Panel
Investing in the Women’s Game: New Landscape, New Opportunities
Supported by Women's Football Awards

A discussion around the best approach to seizing commercial opportunities and capitalising on the growth in the women’s game

Hosted by Valerie Goldstein, Senior Advisor, Livida Sport

Panellists:

• Mario Malave, co-founder and co-CEO, Mercury/13
• Jacqui Oatley MBE, football commentator and sport presenter
• Luca Russo, VP, Women's Football Europe, Wasserman
• Rowena Samarasinhe, founder and Managing Director, GENSport
• Maria Xing, Head of Investments & Corporate Development, Brera Holdings 

Breakout 4

25 Steps to Creating a High-Performance Environment

Facilitated by Paul Barber OBE, Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman, Brighton & Hove Albion FC; Women in Football director

11:45am–12pm

Number Nine

12pm–12:40pm

Bobby Moore

Fireside chat

Emma Hayes OBE, Head Coach, US Women's National Team
In conversation with special guest tbc
Supported by Barclays

12:40–1:20pm

Bobby Moore

Fireside chat

Lise Klaveness, President, Norwegian Football Association
In conversation with Reshmin Chowdhury
Supported by Barclays

1:20–2:20pm

Number Nine

Lunch

Headshot appointments

Informal round table discussions with Women in Football Membership Committee

2:20–3:20pm

Bobby Moore
The Arc
Three Lions

Breakout 1

Panel
Normalising Women's Roles in Football: Advocating for Safer Spaces and Inclusive Environments
Supported by Women in Football

What further measures are needed to eradicate gender-based abuse across the football industry?

Hosted by Faye Carruthers, broadcaster and journalist

Panellists:

• Eni Aluko MBE, former footballer/football executive
• Hazel Brayden, Managing Associate, Mishcon de Reya
• Kelly Cates, journalist and broadcaster
• Sarah Nurse, Programme Editor, ITV Sport
• Jo Tongue MBE, CEO, Tongue Tied Management; Women in Football director

Breakout 2

Panel
The Business of Change: Best Practice for Positive Impact in Organisations, in Football, and Beyond 
Supported by Mishcon de Reya LLP

How the industry can reach out to support communities and the wider world

Hosted by Ben Carter, Global Chief Customer & Marketing Officer, Carwow; Women in Football director

Panellists:

• Yasir Mirza, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, The FA 
• Martina Pavlová, Women’s Vice-Chair, ECA; International Relationships Manager and Head of Sports Department, AC Sparta Praha
• Justine Roberts CBE, founder and CEO, Mumsnet; non-executive director, EFL
• Neil Saunders, Director of Football, The Premier League

Breakout 3

Panel
Building Your Own Path: Navigating the Triumphs and Challenges of Small Business and Freelance Life
Supported by Xero

Entrepreneurs tell their stories and share their challenges, discussing opportunities, pitching your services, building a network and more 

Hosted by Karthi Gnanasegaram, journalist and television/radio broadcaster

Panellists:

• Claire Bowden-Hughes, founder and CEO, En2End Sports Activation Agency
• Helen Hardy, CEO and founder, Foudy’s
• Marcia Lewis, CEO and founder, No1Fan.club
• Rachel O’Sullivan, co-founder, GirlsontheBall 

Breakout 4

Workshop
The Science of Influence and Persuasion

Facilitated by Dil Sidhu, Business Development & Programme Director, University of Cambridge

3:20–3:45pm

Number Nine

3:45–4:40pm

Bobby Moore
The Arc
Three Lions

Breakout 1

Panel
Game Changers: Stories from the Top and the Power of Paying it Forward
Supported by Sky Sports

Meet some of the dynamic women in football whose impact is making the industry fairer and more accessible for the next generation

Hosted by Caroline Barker, broadcaster

Panellists:

• Monique Choudhuri, Managing Director, Versify Consulting; Women in Football director
• Kate Laurens, Chief Communications Officer, Arsenal
• Claire Morris, CEO, Sodexo Live!
• Jo Osborne, Head of Women’s Sport, Sky Sports
• Preeti Shetty, CEO, Upshot; non-executive director, Brentford FC

Breakout 2

Panel
The Commercialisation of Football: Embracing Digitalisation, Unveiling New Opportunities for Brand/Fan Engagement and Increasing Revenue
Supported by Sports Interactive

New models of media distribution are transforming football’s audiences and their viewing habits. Learn how the women’s game could be the biggest winner 

Hosted by Abbi Summers, broadcaster/presenter

Panellists:

• Alison Lomax, Managing Director, YouTube UK & Ireland
• Lisa Parfitt, Co-Founder, the Space Between; Women in Football director
• Ryhanna Parara, presenter and content creator

Breakout 3

Panel
Changing The Game, Changing Communities: The Social Impact of Grassroots Football and Inclusion Programmes
Supported by EFL

Discover how projects are using the unique power of football to improve lives

Hosted by: Debbie Cook, Director of Community, EFL

Panellists: 

• Uma Cresswell, Senior Independent Director (SID), EFL in the Community
• Rosie and Mollie Kmita, Presenters and Founders, The Powerhouse Project 
• Ruth Shaw OBE, CEO, Premier League Charitable Fund

Breakout 4

Workshop
From Self-Doubt to Self-Empowerment: Having the Confidence to be Your Authentic Self

Facilitated by Nisha Vyas, executive coach, trainer and supervisor 

4:45–5:30pm

Bobby Moore

Fireside chat

Julie Uhrman, CEO & Co-founder, Angel City FC
In conversation with Kelly Cates
Supported by Sky Sports

5:30–5:50pm

Bobby Moore

Conference wrap-up

Ebru Köksal, Chair, Women in Football    

Overview of the day
Formal close

6–8pm

Boxpark Wembley

Networking reception
Supported by Barclays