Women's Leadership Network - press releases

For immediate release: 17 June 2009

Today's and tomorrow's leaders take part in
WLN conference

In spite of the challenges posed by a two-day Tube strike, more than 130 people attended the second annual conference of the Women's Leadership Network (WLN) in London on Wednesday 10 June 2009. They included representatives from 62 further education providers – general FE colleges, adult and community learning providers, sixth-form colleges and specialist providers – and three universities.

Sally Dicketts, chair of WLN and principal of Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, chaired the event. "Talented, dedicated and successful women leaders come from a range of cultures, with a range of attributes and experiences," she told delegates. "No two leaders are the same. Self-belief and self-confidence are central to successful leadership, and WLN aims to help women overcome their fears and doubts, to get where they want to go. An outstanding middle manager is just as important as an outstanding principal."

Penny de Valk, chief executive of the Institute of Leadership and Management, described leadership as a marathon, not a sprint. "As leaders, we need persistence and flexibility – no straight lines," she said. "Leaders don't arrive through theory – they need practice."

The solicitor general, Vera Baird QC MP, talked about further education giving women a second chance and offering flexibility for those returning to work or changing careers.

Sara Thornton, chief constable at Thames Valley Police, presented a picture of slow progress for women in leadership roles in the police force. The environment had changed in the last 10 years, but the majority of women were still in the lower ranks, despite in many cases having better qualifications than their male colleagues. Thornton attributes her success as a top leader to mentoring and coaching; the support of friends and colleagues; being firm about the difference between ability and loyalty; having the strength to make critical decisions; and to practising the things she hates doing – such as appearing on television – in order to improve.

Peter Daley, who is the director of college leadership services at Protocol National, talked about ensuring equality of opportunity in selection and recruitment, and offered practical tips to those applying for senior posts. At panel interviews, women should be prepared to illustrate the four key qualities that governors would be seeking: vision and strategy, leadership, values and business acumen.

During the afternoon, delegates were able to take part in one of the four workshops being run by principals and sector leaders. Eight successful principals spoke about their career experiences and approaches to the job. Participants were encouraged to "feel the fear", invest in their own career progression and “go for it”. In one of the workshops, principals Maxine Room, Cathy Walsh and Heather Maxwell spoke about their different leadership styles and encouraged participants to develop their own styles and, above all, to be themselves.

Closing the conference, Sally Dicketts called for a shift in culture. "Just this week we have heard reports of our own government being female-unfriendly," she said. "We know that senior teams and boards with well-balanced profiles bring more success, and it's time for female leadership styles to be celebrated. Strong leadership is built on integrity and mutual respect, and partnership working adds strength. 

"In the next few months, we plan to roll out the regional meetings across all regions. We will be offering individual mentoring for women who wish to pursue senior posts in the sector and, subject to funding, we propose to undertake a series of relevant research projects."