Please note that all information listed may change in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Book your place at the Women in Football Be Inspired Conference 2026.
Wednesday 16 SeptemberWembley Stadium |
||||
|
9am Number Nine |
Registration and coffee | |||
|
9:45–10am Bobby Moore |
Welcome and introductions Yvonne Harrison, CEO, Women in Football Introductions and overview of the day, celebrating 20 years of Women in Football |
|||
|
10–10:55am Bobby Moore |
Main plenary panel session Women in Football: 20 Years of Progress. One Shared Future. Twenty years ago, women working in football faced barriers that too often limited opportunity, visibility and progression. Today, the landscape has changed. More women are leading, influencing and shaping the future of the game than ever before. But progress doesn't happen by accident. It happens when individuals find community. When organisations commit to change. When voices are amplified. When advocates stand together. When a network becomes a movement. Join us as we celebrate two decades of impact, reflect on the milestones that have shaped the journey, and look ahead collectively to the next chapter in driving gender equality across football's workforce. Hosted by Jacqui Oatley MBE, Broadcaster
|
|||
|
11am–11:55pm Bobby Moore |
Breakout 1: Panel The Power of Leadership – Unlocking the Art of the Possible Starts with an Investment in You Hear directly from Women in Football Leadership Programme alumni who have transformed their careers, expanded their influence and stepped into leadership roles across the game. Through honest stories of challenge, growth and success, discover how investing in yourself can unlock opportunities you never imagined possible. Hosted by Jane Purdon, Former CEO, Women in Football
|
Breakout 2: Panel Beyond the Badge: Can Football Lead the Fight Against Misogyny? Women's football has never been more visible, yet the experience of women working across all football tells a different story. Against the backdrop of the rise of online misogyny and the growing influence of the ‘manosphere’, football has a choice. Will it simply respond to cultural change, or can it lead it? This discussion will explore how clubs, governing bodies, leagues, broadcasters and commercial partners can build environments where women are safe, respected and able to thrive across both the men's and women's game. We'll ask what leadership looks like now, how men can be effective allies, and what accountability must look like if football is to become a model for gender equality rather than a reflection of society's challenges. Hosted by Suzy Wrack, Author, Podcaster and Women’s Football Writer
|
Breakout 3: Panel Changing the Game: Technology, Innovation and the Future of Careers in Football For decades, success in football was driven by talent on the pitch and experience in the boardroom. Today, data, technology and artificial intelligence are reshaping how clubs recruit, engage fans, develop players and make decisions. As football enters a new era, what skills will define the industry's future leaders? Which roles will emerge? And how can today's workforce prepare for tomorrow's game? Join industry experts from football and technology as they explore the biggest workforce transformation the sport has seen in a generation. Hosted by Ben Carter, Chief Marketing Officer, CarWow; Director, Women in Football
|
Breakout 4: Workshop (11–11:40am) 25 Steps to Creating a High-Performance Environment Facilitated by Paul Barber OBE, Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman, Brighton & Hove Albion FC; Director, Women in Football
|
|
11:55–12:15pm Number Nine |
Coffee break | |||
|
12:15–12:45pm Bobby Moore |
Fireside chat Hosted by Jess Creighton
|
|||
|
12:50–1:30pm Bobby Moore |
Main plenary panel session Investing in Change: Capital, Purpose and the Power of Sport What does it mean to invest in sport and what should we expect that investment to achieve? Sonia Gardner, Alina Barlow and Khalida Popal bring very different perspectives shaped by investment, business and ownership, philanthropy, advocacy and social impact. Their paths into sport may be different, but each brings experience of putting capital, influence and leadership behind opportunities they believe can create lasting value. As investment in women’s sport accelerates, they will explore what attracts capital to football, what the game can learn from investment and impact models elsewhere, and whether commercial returns and positive social outcomes can reinforce one another. They will also go beyond the investment case to share the personal leadership journeys behind their choices: what has shaped their sense of purpose, how they decide where to put their money, time and influence, and what responsibility comes with having the power to open doors for others. Hosted by Caroline Barker, Sky Sports
|
|||
|
1:30–2:30pm Number Nine |
Lunch Headshot appointments |
|||
|
2:30–3:20pm Bobby Moore |
Breakout 1: Panel The Women Behind the Lens The roles shaping live sport – from the gallery to the touchline. Celebrating the women turning live sport into must-watch television and exploring careers in sports broadcasting. Hosted by Charlotte Beresford, Rights Acquisition Manager, Sky Sports
|
Breakout 2: Panel Inclusion for a Competitive Edge The highest-performing organisations know that inclusion isn't just a people initiative, it's a business advantage. Explore how inclusive cultures drive innovation, improve decision-making, attract top talent, and help organisations outperform competitors delivering lasting impact. Hosted by Maggie Murphy, Managing Director, Aston Villa Women FC; Director, Women in Football
|
Breakout 3: Panel Who Leads the Women's Game? The Race to Build Football's Next Generation of Female Coaches Women's football is growing faster than ever. But growth on the pitch needs to be matched by opportunity on the touchline. Why aren't more women reaching senior coaching roles? Where are the pathways breaking down? And what will it take to ensure the next generation of women's football is coached and led by women, as well as played by them? The panel will discuss:
Hosted by Eleanor Roper, Sky Sports
|
Breakout 4: Workshop Brand YOU! Your Voice. Your Image. Your Exposure
Facilitated by Faye Carruthers, Broadcaster and Journalist |
|
3:20–3:45pm Number Nine |
Coffee break | |||
|
3:45–4:35pm Bobby Moore |
Breakout 1: Panel Lessons, Insights and Bold Decisions – Women Leading Football's Future Football's most influential leaders rarely follow a straight path to success. Join senior leaders from across different parts of the game as they share the decisions that shaped their careers, the lessons learned through challenge and change, and the leadership principles that continue to guide them today. Hear honest reflections on leading with purpose, navigating uncertainty and creating impact in one of the world's most dynamic industries. Hosted by Kyle Walker, Sky Sports
|
Breakout 2: Panel The Women's Game: Disrupting Football's Future Women's football is redefining what's possible across participation, fandom, commercial growth, media, leadership and innovation. As the game continues to evolve at pace, where will the next opportunities emerge? What trends are reshaping the landscape? And who is challenging traditional thinking about how football is played, consumed and commercialised? Join the leaders, innovators and changemakers helping shape the next chapter of the women's game. Hosted by Kelly Simmons OBE, Sports Consultant; Director, Women in Football
|
Breakout 3: Panel The Team Behind Your Future Every Player has a support team on the pitch, but who's helping build the career that comes after it? The women's game has never offered more opportunity, but every playing career has an end. The most successful transitions don't begin with retirement; they begin while a player is still competing. This session brings together players, and former players, alongside the people who help shape successful transitions, to explore how players can build careers, confidence and networks beyond playing and the kinds of roles that can help them do just that! Hosted by Chloe Morgan
|
Breakout 4: Workshop Landing your Dream Job: Your Career Strategy is in Your Own Hands Most people don’t ‘find’ their dream job by chance, they build the conditions for it over time. This interactive workshop focuses on how to take ownership of your career strategy in football and beyond. Whether you're actively looking for your next role or planning your long-term progression, you’ll explore practical ways to build visibility, strengthen your network, and stay ready for opportunity when it appears. You are the constant in your own career, move with intention, own it. Facilitated by Ashley Lehr, Director, Bloom Sports Partners |
|
4:45–5:25pm Bobby Moore |
Fireside chat Hosted by Hayley McQueen
|
|||
|
5:30–5:45pm Bobby Moore |
Conference wrap-up Ebru Köksal, Chair, Women in Football Overview of the day, formal close |
|||
|
6pm onwards Boxpark Wembley |
Networking reception Anniversary celebrations and networking |
|||