At Iceni, supporting women in leadership is not confined to a single date in the calendar. It is reflected in the continued growth of female representation at senior level across the business. Over the past year, we have welcomed Anna Sutherland Bamber to lead our DCO team, celebrated the Director promotions of Georgia Foy and Rebecca Mason within our Heritage and Townscape team, and most recently welcomed Ruth Jackson as a Director in our Manchester planning team. 

As we mark International Women’s Day and this year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain’, we have reflected on what progression and leadership mean to each of them. A clear message has emerged: no one progresses alone. 

Anna describes how trusted colleagues created space for open conversations and provided reassurance when navigating complex situations. Rebecca found that confidence came not from formal training, but from the quiet backing of those who trusted her judgement and encouraged her to take considered risks. Georgia values the insight of senior leaders who shared their experience while giving her room to shape her own leadership style. Ruth recognised that even through her entrepreneurial journey, she has depended on strong teams willing to question, challenge and strengthen decision-making. 

Across each story, the importance of supportive networks is unmistakable. Encouragement, constructive challenge and visible trust build the credibility and confidence that enable people to step into senior roles. Leadership is not formed in isolation; it is shaped by the culture that surrounds it. 

In turn, each of these leaders is committed to giving back. Through mentoring, championing colleagues in promotion discussions and ensuring diverse voices are heard, they are creating the same environment of trust and opportunity that supported their own progression. The support they received has become the support they now extend to others. 

International Women’s Day provides a valuable moment to celebrate this momentum. Our annual IWD panel will bring colleagues together to share reflections on career journeys, leadership and allyship, continuing the conversation across the business. Alongside this, our IWD spin class on 10 March offers an opportunity to connect with colleagues and industry peers in a spirited show of solidarity. 

As a newly formed Employee Owned Business, milestones such as IWD give us space to reflect on how we are growing. By investing in one another and creating opportunities to listen and learn, we continue to build a stronger, more inclusive business for the future. 

Our newest array of female leaders span a wide range of technical disciplines – please reach out to them directly should you wish to discuss any relevant projects.  

• Heritage and Townscape – rmason@iceniprojects.com and gfoy@iceniprojects.com  

• DCOs – asutherlandbamber@iceniprojects.com  

• Manchester Planning – rjackson@iceniprojects.com