By Ebunoluwa Sessou

Women in Management, Business and Public Service, WIMBIZ, is set to host its fourth London Conference as part of efforts to inspire, empower and strengthen women’s leadership across the globe.

The conference, themed “Meaningful Legacy: Power, Positioning, and Influence in a Changing World,” will take place on June 26, 2026, at One Great George Street, The Institution of Civil Engineers, London.

The event is expected to bring together distinguished global leaders, senior executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs and change-makers from the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa and the diaspora to discuss the evolving role of women in leadership amid global economic, political and technological shifts.

Among the speakers expected at the conference include Founder of Common Purpose, Julia Middleton; Co-Founder of WIMBIZ and Chief Executive Officer of The Chair Centre, Ibukun Awosika; Founder and Chairperson of the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), Sarah Fadoul Boulos; Founder and Managing Partner of Oakbridge Advisory, Will Anderson, MBE; Chief Technology Officer of Xenet Ai, Andrew Olowude; and Founder of Hospital Rooms, Niamh White, among other notable personalities.
Speaking on the significance of the conference, WIMBIZ Executive Director, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, said the theme reflects the need for women to build influence that extends beyond professional achievements.

“The conference will explore how women can not only achieve professional success but also cultivate enduring influence that transcends generations and geographical boundaries,” she said.

Akingbohungbe noted that the London conference has become an important platform for cross-cultural dialogue, strategic partnerships and knowledge exchange, reinforcing WIMBIZ’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership over the past two decades.

She added that the conference comes at a critical period when conversations around gender representation in leadership remain relevant globally.

According to her, the conference will focus on how women leaders can shape resilient institutions, drive sustainable growth and create lasting impact in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

“Recent findings from the FTSE Women Leaders Review 2026 showed that women now occupy 43 per cent of board positions across FTSE 350 companies. However, only eight per cent of those companies are led by female chief executive officers, highlighting the gap between boardroom representation and executive leadership.

“The event is designed to provide practical insights, networking opportunities and collaborative engagements that will equip women to navigate challenges and maximise opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

“WIMBIZ, has continued to champion initiatives aimed at increasing women’s representation in leadership and decision-making positions across sectors while fostering mentorship, capacity building and professional development”, she said.

Participants at the conference will engage in keynote presentations, panel discussions and interactive fireside chats covering leadership, business, finance, public service, international development and innovation.