Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has successfully concluded its 4th London Conference on Friday at The Institution of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street, a landmark event that convened global executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders, which established WIMBIZ’s strength in inspiring and empowering women to attain leadership positions on the global stage.
The conference gathered participants from the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa and the global diaspora to examine how leaders can move beyond professional success to create institutions, ideas and systems that remain impactful across generations.In her opening remarks, Chairman, WIMBIZ Board of Trustees, Ebisan Akisanya urged women to live a life of impact and create an impact that moves beyond their generation, adding that legacy is not what we leave behind but simply what we leave for others. In her keynote speech, Co-Founder of WIMBIZ and Founder, the Chair Centre Group, Ibukun Awosika confirmed that legacy goes beyond what one has achieved but rather it speaks more to the number of people that has been influenced by one’s impacts.
The high enthusiastic event, which was anchored by Juliana Olayinka, witnessed its first plenary session which examined the transformative role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of work, business, and society.
The conversation between Bukky M. Babajide, Angela Castle, Quinty Smits, and Andrew Olowude, emphasized that while AI is increasingly becoming indispensable across industries, its true value lies in how individuals and organizations intentionally understand, adopt and apply it to drive inclusion, innovation and sustainable impact. This was followed by a keynote fireside chat between Julia Middleton and Will Anderson, MBE, that explored the evolving architecture of leadership in an interconnected world, where speakers highlighted trust as one of the most valuable currencies of influence and underscored the unique role women play in building institutions, strengthening relationships and leading with purpose.
The second plenary session shifted the conversation to entrepreneurship as a catalyst for legacy, influence and economic power, with Judy Koloko, Amy Watson, Niamh White MBE, and Kehinde Ogunba encouraging participants to build ventures that extend beyond profit to create lasting value for communities and future generations.
Building on this conversation, the subsequent fireside chat between Sarah Fadoul Boulos, and Bimpe Nkontchou challenged conventional perceptions of inheritance, describing it not simply as wealth passed on after death but as the lasting influence, opportunities and success leaders intentionally create in the lives of others. The conference concluded with a spirited debate between Ijeoma Bassey, Rebecca Bryne, Aindrea Emelife, Nneka Wood, and Modupeola Fadugba with the focus on career success, where proponents of visibility and competence presented compelling arguments, ultimately reinforcing that sustainable leadership is achieved through the strategic balance of proven expertise and purposeful visibility.
In her closing remarks and vote of thanks, the Executive Director of WIMBIZ, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, urged on women to take from the learnings of the conference and implement it in their daily lives and routine. She also commended the planning committee for their support while also showing appreciation to the sponsors which includes: Zenith Bank, Ajala Travels, First Bank, Otas Holdings, Air Peace, Alpha Global, Flutterwave, Lifecard Group, Dr. Pure Joie, and Orchid Butter Studio for their support.Participants from the conference expressed their delights over the impact and inspiration gathered from the speakers during the course of the event.
About WIMBIZ
WIMBIZ (Women in Management, Business, and Public Service) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting women in leadership roles. WIMBIZ is of African roots with a global perspective of connecting and inspiring women across the globe to catalyse their growth to leadership positions and contribution to nation-building. With a history spanning 25 years, WIMBIZ has implemented various programs that inspire, empower, and advocate for greater representation of women in both the public and private sectors.
We have a global network of over 4,000 accomplished women who contribute to their initiatives in management, business, and public service. WIMBIZ collaborates with reputable domestic and international organisations to deliver impactful programs, positively influencing over 367,000 women to excel in their careers and businesses.
