We’re now at the beginning of our ambitious plan to educate 50,000 women and young girls over the next five years. We’re both excited and ready to put the work in to achieve this fantastic goal. The need is there and we’re determined that we’ll succeed.
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Empowering Women Leaders for a Global Impact
At SheInspires, we have spent the past decade empowering and celebrating women leaders. Our journey began with a mission to shine a light on the incredible achievements of women across various sectors. Over the years, we have recognised over 15,000 women leaders as SheInspires nominees and published four books celebrating women role models. The latest, “22 Leaders,” authored by our founder Gulnaz Brennan, showcases leadership styles of successful women from diverse sectors, including business, charity, politics, law, NHS, insurance, and education to name a few. This book hopefully provides a roadmap to inspire young girls who are the leaders of tomorrow.
Despite the progress, statistics reveal a stark reality: women still hold only 29% of senior management positions globally (Catalyst, 2023). Furthermore, the challenges related to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) remain significant barriers for women aiming to climb the corporate ladder.
Recognising these challenges, SheInspires is now taking a bold step forward by launching leadership training courses designed specifically for women. Our courses address the critical need for reliable, targeted support in developing the next generation of women leaders. We aim to dismantle the barriers that women face, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and networks necessary to thrive in leadership roles.
Our training programs are tailored to prepare women for the global market, with a particular focus on the UK-UAE-India belt. This region represents a vibrant economic corridor where understanding cross-cultural leadership dynamics is crucial. Our courses cover essential areas such as strategic thinking, negotiation skills, global market insights, and effective networking.
In addition to our training courses, our plans include organising virtual and in-person women-centric trade missions. These missions, conducted in association with our global partners in India and the UAE, as well as DBT, Universities, Colleges, Manchester India Partnership, and GM Chamber, will provide invaluable opportunities for women business leaders to explore and prepare for global markets.
Gulnaz Brennan
Gulnaz has been the force behind the She Inspires movement for over a decade. Born in India but living in the UK, Gulnaz has been a teacher, a journalist and an advocate of creative arts to empower both individuals and communities.
To say that Gulnaz has inspired a generation is to understate her influence. She Inspires Awards mobilise thousands of people every year, now from all over the world. We hear about those who have overcome personal tragedies who then spend all of their time and energy helping others. More than once Gulnaz has spoken to finalists through our judging sessions who have just received a terminal prognosis and yet all they can talk about is the people they still need to help and support.
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Ray Hanks
Though born in England, Ray comes from a family of immigrants. His father and sister were born in Burma, his mother in Indonesia and his two brothers in India. Both his grandmothers were Burmese, one grandfather was Australian and the other American. This rather mixed heritage is marked by some surprising ancestors. They include, on his mother’s side, the first Chief Justice of New South Wales, Sir Francis Forbes who established legal precedents that remain in place today.
On his father’s side, Ray is the fifth cousin twice removed of a rather famous US President who issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln. His mother was Nancy Hanks.
Together with his brother Geoff, who went on to become the first Professor of Palliative Medicine in Europe, Ray and he were the only boys of colour in their old established London Grammar school – the former Grocer’s Company School.
Ray reached high office in the commercial world but opted to help others succeed in their business ventures. A life of advice and coaching has never stopped, bringing awards for both himself and those he advised. He was privileged to meet her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh; once in Buckingham Palace and once where he now lives in Manchester – both to do with his work.
Ray has known Gulnaz for many years and regards it as a privilege to be able to work alongside her.
By fostering a supportive learning environment, we enable women to harness their full potential and navigate the complexities of leadership in diverse and dynamic markets. Our global reach ensures that participants are not only prepared for local challenges but are also equipped to lead on an international stage.
Join us at SheInspires Leadership Training Courses, where we are dedicated to building a pipeline of empowered women leaders ready to make an impact worldwide. Together, we can create a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future.
