Jane giving a speech at Rail Vision launch

Celebrating Women in Leadership

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. In this blog, our Vice-Chair Cllr Jane Mudd talks about the importance of women in leadership. 

As today is International Women's Day, there's no better time to celebrate the strides made in gender equality, particularly with women in leadership roles.

As the Vice Chair for Western Gateway I’m proud to support the Western Gateway in their goals to connect communities, decarbonise the economy, foster growth and collaboration across the region.

A cohort of remarkable women sit on the Western Gateway board, each bringing unique insights and expertise to the table. These women, with a wealth of experience are instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of our region. Their dedication and vision serve as a guiding light for future generations of leaders.

This month we also say goodbye to our last Chair, Katherine Bennett CBE. Katherine has led the partnership since we were recognised by UK Government in 2019. Since that time, she has led an incredible effort to build widespread support for the Partnership within our area. The partnership has gone from strength to strength, launching the UK’s first Hydrogen Ecosystem, a transformative vision for rail across both regions and helping secure investment in nuclear and research communities.

Throughout this time, Katherine has demonstrated unmatched skill in being able to convene leaders from across the political sphere to deliver real benefits for our communities.

The Western Gateway is led by its Chair, Vice Chairs and board members and brings together senior local, business and academic leaders from across the area. 

Having women in leadership roles isn't just about equality; it's about harnessing the full spectrum of talent and expertise that our society offers. Research consistently demonstrates the benefits of diverse leadership, from enhanced creativity to improved financial performance. By embracing women in leadership, organizations like Western Gateway position themselves at the forefront of positive change.

Let’s continue championing women in leadership, not just on International Women's Day, but every day. Together, we can build a more equitable and thriving society for all.

 

Cllr Jane Mudd Vice Chair of the Western Gateway and Leader of Newport Council
Jane Mudd is the Vice Chair for the Western Gateway Partnership and Leader of Newport Council