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WOMEN IN BUSINESS


She says: “Historically women have been underrepresented in senior roles across Lancashire due to long standing structural barriers, including limited access to influential networks, unequal mentoring opportunities, and career breaks that disproportionately affect women. The tide is turning on that, but we still have a long way to go.


Date: 28 April 2026 Time: 08.30-11.00


Venue: Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa


Join decision-makers implementing AI and automation, and those considering their next steps.


Hear from business leaders and specialist practitioners on what is working, what is challenging, and how organisations are adopting new technologies while managing risk.


WANT TO ATTEND? REGISTER NOW!


SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS


Want to put your brand in front of key decision-makers?


For sponsorship and exhibition options, contact Joanne Hindley on 07442 949697 or joanne@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk


Brought to you by: DEBBIE KING


Head of corporate, Farleys Solicitors


A well-known face in the Lancashire dealmaking community, Debbie


has been with the law firm for almost 30 years. She trained at Farleys and set up its corporate department upon qualification.


In association with:


Known for her expertise in corporate transactions, she routinely leads complex acquisitions, sales, and restructures, acting for a wide range of businesses. Debbie is also regularly involved in cross-practice strategic transactions.


ROSALYN GODSMARK


Head of marketing, Northern Trust


Rosalyn has worked for the Chorley headquartered


property and land company for more than two decades, joining it from JJB Sports as a portfolio administrator.


As head of marketing she has led and project managed several key initiatives, including a


KIRSTY ROBINSON Director, Anderton Gables


Kirsty began her career in a surveying consultancy through an administration role. Now a director at Preston headquartered Anderton Gables, she has spent 24 years building up her experience within the built environment.


Without following a traditional surveying route, she progressed into operational and commercial leadership positions through drive, commitment and resilience. Today she sits on the company’s leadership team and board, helping shape strategy culture and growth.


Kirsty says: “In Lancashire many senior roles are still shaped by traditional career routes, informal networks and long-established ways of working that haven’t always been designed with women in mind.


“Progression is often determined by visibility and sponsorship rather than capability, and women – not just women, men too – are often required to prove themselves repeatedly before being trusted with senior responsibility.


“Balancing leadership with caring responsibilities can also remain a barrier where flexibility is limited or perceived as a lack of commitment.


“Improving the situation means widening our view of what leadership looks like, valuing non-linear career paths and actively sponsoring women into senior roles, rather than waiting for them to put themselves forward.


“Embedding flexibility into workplace cultures and ensuring women are visible at board level will help leadership reflect the extraordinary talent that already exists across Lancashire.”


“We need to be supporting women’s career and leadership journeys at the early stages, with mentoring, and visible leadership and entrepreneurial role models.


“As the saying goes, ‘You can’t be it if you can’t see it’. Businesses must also create open and inclusive development pathways with transparent promotion criteria.


“Lancashire is famed for its strong regional collaboration, and we need to be doing our part to broaden networks for female leaders, amplify voices, and build a stronger pipeline of future leaders.”


LAUREN GIBBONS


FalconWorks Portfolio Integration Support, BAE Systems


Lauren had to


overcome major challenges before joining BAE Systems as a business administration apprentice. Today she is a member of the team at the defence giant’s FalconWorks centre for advanced research and technology development at Warton.


Just before she was due to sit the first of her GCSE’s she collapsed and was in hospital for three months. She was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.


As a result, the high achiever – she was head girl – left school with just one qualification in art. Undeterred, Lauren went to sixth form to get more qualifications and sat and passed two GCSE’s in just two months in order to get her place on the apprenticeship programme.


The 23-year-old’s career highlights so far have included meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his visit to the Warton facility.


She says: “I never thought I would make it into the role I’m in now. The journey wasn’t easy, but it taught me that resilience and determination can take you further than you ever expect.


“Instead of walking into a room and thinking if you belong there, think about what value you add.”


KATY ALLEN


Chartered financial planner, One Four Nine Wealth


Katy, from St Annes, is a chartered independent financial planner at One Four Nine Wealth in Preston with more than 12 years’ experience in the sector.


A graduate of the University of Liverpool, where she studied Business Economics, the mother- of-two began her career in a technical support role in an accountancy practice. Today she works collaboratively with people from all walks of life, with a passion for creating “lightbulb” moments for her clients.


She says: “When I started my career there wasn’t a lot of female representation in my role. I wanted to prove myself so didn’t have many boundaries. People said ‘jump’ and I said ‘how high?’. When you start a family, you can’t drop everything for work. That’s where the need for flexibility comes in.


“My advice to young women at the start of their career is not to model yourself on what you think a person in your role should be. You need to authentic, to be yourself. That will give you an edge.”


• The data research on women in Lancashire businesses was conducted by Dean Rodgers, director at PM+M, who also researches our Hot 100 and Big 20 features.


company rebrand and the development of social media channels. Rosalyn is a former chair of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Lancashire branch and is working towards a fellowship, alongside mentoring others.


She says: “The property industry in particular has traditionally been male dominated and this has inevitably influenced the balance of senior role across many Lancashire organisations.


“While I have seen a positive shift over the last five to ten years, with more women progressing through the ranks, there remains a historic tendency for them to be concentrated in lower administrative roles. Women frequently feel they have to work harder to prove their worth.


“To improve the situation, organisations need to ensure equal opportunities for progression and recognise talent based on ability. Encouraging mentoring, visible female role models and clear development pathways will help more women build long-term sustainable careers and progress into leadership roles.”


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