Our Exclusive Events

At Women Empowering Defence, we understand the power of connection, shared experiences, and continuous learning. That’s why we host a variety of exclusive events for our members. From in-person meet-ups and workshops to online webinars and masterclasses, our events are designed to inspire, educate, and foster a sense of community. As a member, you’ll have access to a wealth of opportunities to learn, network, and grow.

Join Us

While we do host some open events, the majority of our events are exclusive to our members. By becoming a member, you ensure that you never miss out on these valuable opportunities. Our events are designed to engage and educate, promoting diversity and inclusion within the Defence and Security Sector. Join us today and be part of the change. Don’t miss out – become a member and ensure you’re always in the loop for our exciting events.

WED 2026 Events:

SEPT

24.09.26 – WED Unlocked: Leading Beyond Boundaries – INFO ↓

NOV

30.11.26 – Women Empowering Defence Conference 2026: The Whole Story of VAWG: Voices, Accountability and Action – INFO →

DEC

10.12.26 – WEDPresents: A Private Evening at the Tower of London
WED is delighted to invite you to a truly unforgettable night at the iconic Tower of London. We’ll be hosted by our very own Lee Fox, Guardian of the Tower (Yeoman Warder & member of the WED Leadership Team), for a private evening filled with history, tradition, and celebration.

Launching Our Quarterly Forums
Defence for a Better Tomorrow – Delivering Lasting Social Value

We’re excited to launch our new quarterly forum series, designed to bring Defence colleagues and partners together to explore how we can drive meaningful, measurable, and lasting social value across the sector.

Our first session takes place on 18 June in London, with a focus on:

Session 1: Social Value Principles, Changes, and Practical Application

Key Themes We’ll Explore:

A comprehensive recap on what social value really is, how it should be implemented, and why it’s vital in the Defence sector
An overview of the revised Social Value Model from the Cabinet Office – what’s changed and what it means for you
How to effectively incorporate social value into bids – with practical insights to strengthen delivery and commercial success

These forums are about more than discussion – they’re about sharing knowledge, building momentum, and creating real impact.

If you’d like to be considered for a place, please complete the booking form:

Agenda

09:00 – 09:30 Registration – via Ticket Tailor Scanning & Coffee
09:30 – 09:35 Welcome
09:35 – 10:05 Social Value Unpacked: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Deliver It
10:05 – 10:35 The Revised Social Value Model (cabinet office)
10:35- 11:00 Break and Refreshments
11:00 – 11:30 Social Value in Defence: Insights from the MoD
12:15 – 12:30 Questions & Close

SPEAKERS

Angela Halliday - Director, Social Impact UK&I, Sodexo

Angela Halliday

Having spent most of her career within the third sector tackling societal, economic and environmental challenges, Angela joined Sodexo in 2008, operating across the Justice and Government segments in Scotland and Australia in both operational and business growth roles. She was appointed as Director, Social Impact UK&I at the end of 2019. This role involves working alongside the businesses’ COO, CEOs, senior leadership teams, colleagues, clients and suppliers. The aim being to optimise value creation by focusing specifically on Impact; enabling business growth, operational excellence, and Sodexo’s market position in this space.

Angela sits on both the National Social Value Task Force and Social Value Steering Committee, as well being an active member of the Purpose Coalition, co-chairing the Social Impact Advisory Council alongside the Rt Hon Justine Greening; primarily focusing on social mobility and impact. Angela is also a Trustee of charity, Pilotlight.

Helen Hall - Head of Responsible Business, Eviden

Helen Hall

Helen has worked at the heart of strategic supplier delivery for three decades. She helped to shape the Cabinet Office’s Social Value Model and set up one of the first dedicated Social Value Teams in the digital sector.

As Head of Responsible Business, her role is to lead a team who are changing the way we do business and deliver measurable benefits to society, the environment and our economy. Her team have an outstanding track record in cross-government events and strengthening client relationships

Nicole Sawhney - Responsible Business Manager, Eviden

Nicole Sawhney

Nicole is a Responsible Business Manager at Eviden who delivers Social Value for the UK Home Office, UK Defence and Security and UK Police accounts. She is a specialist in DE&I and Wellbeing, managing relationships with partners and advising on propositions. She is part of the Mental Health First Aider Leadership Team, the Armed Forces Community Co-Chair, Safe Haven Community Co-Chair and, on the Women Empowering Defence board. She has worked at Atos for 10 years. .

Nicole worked previously for the South Central Ambulance Service for over 11 years in the Emergency Operations Centre so has an understanding and firsthand experience of dealing with people suffering with poor Mental Health. She is incredibly passionate about helping people

Maureen Gore - Vinmore

Maureen Gore

Over 25 years of public sector procurement and commercial delivery as a civil servant and consultant, I co-founded Vinmore, with my business partner in 2024. Most recently I, with a team of 3, delivered over £370m of technology and digital contracts for the Home Office and it’s ALBs. As part of this work, I also designed the contract management approach to social value delivery within those contracts. As a Social Value Ambassador for Home Office I’ve developed a rare understanding of how to manage the delivery of social value across large scale services.

More speakers to be announced

Coming This Autumn
WED Unlocked: Leading Beyond Boundaries

24 September | Defence Academy, Shrivenham

This September, we’re bringing together individuals from across the Defence Enterprise for WED Unlocked: Leading Beyond Boundaries, a brand-new annual event designed to inspire, connect and empower leaders at every level.

In today’s increasingly complex environment, success depends on our ability to work across teams, functions and organisations. WED Unlocked will explore how we can break down silos, build stronger connections and lead beyond our immediate areas of responsibility to deliver better outcomes for our people, teams and the wider Defence community.

Join us for a dynamic day of thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops and practical leadership development focused on:

Leading without authority
Influencing across boundaries
Building high-performing teams
Cross-functional problem solving

Whether you’re an established leader, an aspiring leader, or someone who influences and drives change through collaboration, this event will provide valuable insights, fresh perspectives and opportunities to learn from colleagues across Defence.

The day will begin with registration, refreshments and networking from 08:30–10:00, providing plenty of opportunity to make new connections and reconnect with colleagues. Our programme of engaging sessions will run from 10:00–15:30, with lunch provided.

At its core, WED Unlocked is about recognising that leadership is not defined by rank or position. It’s about creating impact, inspiring others and working together to overcome challenges that no single team can solve alone.

This promises to be an energising and inspiring day, and we look forward to welcoming you to Shrivenham on 24 September.

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