The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day was all about #AcceleratingAction. With the sobering statistic that gender equality is still 131 years away in this country, we’ve felt more determined than ever to play our part in closing that gap. Our hope? To see meaningful, lasting change within our own lifetimes.

While we’re still at the beginning of our EDI journey, we’re eager to learn from those who’ve already blazed the trail. Women who have broken barriers and are paving the way for a more equitable future. That’s why we were thrilled when Phil Reynolds connected with Claire Hawkes, BD Director at Lloyds Bank. Claire’s infectious energy and exceptional networking skills left quite the impression, so much so that Phil invited her to speak with the team at FRP and inspire the next generation of female leaders. 

From that moment, our ‘Continuing the Conversation’ series was born. 

Wings, Wall Street and Willpower

Claire’s story, ‘Wings, Wall Street and Willpower’, perfectly captures what happens when determination meets opportunity. From breaking barriers as one of the first women recruited into the RAF’s flying training program in the early 90s, to carving out a career in the high-octane, male-dominated world of Wall Street, and now leading Business Development at one of the UK’s largest banks, her journey is a masterclass in grit, resilience, and ambition.

Claire also spoke powerfully about the importance of male allyship, sharing how two male leaders played pivotal roles at key moments in her career. Their belief in her, particularly at times when she was ready to give up, helped her push through. As she put it:

“For faster progression to gender equality, men play a key part.”

Rising Above the Limits

Claire left us with her personal POWER list. A mantra for those looking to rise above the limits and unlock their full potential. She also shared a few further standout lessons that really stuck with us:

• Growth comes from discomfort – It’s in those tough, uncomfortable moments where real growth and real magic happens.
• Know your worth and ask – If you don’t ask, you don’t get. And sometimes, asking opens doors you didn’t even know existed.
• You always have more to give – Push through the hard stuff. There’s strength on the other side of struggle.

Continuing the Conversation

This is just the beginning. If we’re serious about closing the gender gap, we need to keep the conversation going. We’ll be spotlighting more brilliant women from across the industry, sharing their stories of leadership, resilience and success.

If you know someone with a powerful story to tell, we’d love an introduction. And if you’re looking for an unforgettable speaker for your own event, we couldn’t recommend Claire more highly.

Because the more we share, the more we learn and the closer we get to closing that 131-year gap