International Women’s Day 2025

On 8th March, women across the world come together to celebrate International Women’s Day. A day to reflect on progress, recognise achievements, and reaffirm our commitment to gender equality. At Peter Harding Wealth Management, this day holds special significance as we reflect on its meaning and the role we each play in driving positive change.

This year’s theme, Accelerate Action, highlights the urgency of working together to advance gender equality at a faster pace. Meaningful progress happens not just through policy but also through the everyday actions of individuals striving for a more inclusive world.

At Peter Harding Wealth Management, we are proud to champion female talent and leadership. Our Practice is home to seven female advisers, which still a rarity in the financial services industry, alongside a predominantly female leadership team. Women make up the majority of our entire team, and their contributions are integral to our success. To mark this occasion, our team members share their thoughts on what International Women’s Day means to them.

What does the International Women’s Day theme ‘accelerate action’ mean to you?

“Accelerate action is a reminder of the continued barriers women face in all aspects of both personal and professional development. Women are significantly impacted with childcare and non-paid domestic duties more-so than men resulting in less opportunities or a real risk of burn-out trying to take on too much. This brings into the spotlight the requirement for companies to educate their workforce to install gender equality, both in the workplace via flexible working for all and sharing the domestic duties at home.”
Lynsey Elsey, Wealth Management Consultant

“To me accelerate action is about putting words into action. There are still so many women globally that face challenges due to their gender and we need to come together collectively to support each other and make positive steps forward.”
Rachel Wood, Marketing Team Leader

“I think accelerate action is a great step toward gender equality in the workplace. It’s a push to move beyond talking and start making real, faster changes. This theme highlights the importance of creating equal opportunities and pushing for quicker progress, which is definitely needed.”
Millie Smith, Data Maintenance Administrator

“Accelerate action points to the fact that there is still much to do. Especially when we look at the challenges that women and girls still face in many countries.”
Arah Perrett, Development Manager

“To me it means that whilst we have made progress in equality & gender parity over the years, there is still more to do!”
Clair Smith, Managing Director

What does the International Women’s Day mean to you?

“It’s a day to campaign for the rights of women globally and to continually evolve our proposition to be equal to men. By women voicing their wishes on self-care, choosing the right path for them individually. In today’s modern society a policy specifically affecting women should only have the professional sign off from women.”
Lynsey Elsey, Wealth Management Consultant

“For me it’s a time to celebrate the pioneering women that came before us, who broke barriers and fought for what is now our everyday rights. It’s also an opportunity to look forward, acknowledge there is still work to be done and reflect on what steps I can take to support other women.”
Rachel Wood, Marketing Team Leader

“Celebrating the achievements, strength, and resilience of women all around the world and to reflect on the progress we've made toward gender equality and recognise the work still needed to achieve it.”
Millie Smith, Data Maintenance Administrator

“International Women’s Day, to me, is a celebration of how far society has come and what we have achieved in terms of women’s equality. I also feel this day provides us not only with an opportunity to reflect on this but highlight the long road we still need to travel down to achieve complete equality and recognition of our contributions across the world. With a predominantly female leadership team, I am proud to work for a company that supports women in business and look forward to celebrating the successes and achievements of women within our company.”
Nancy Bushell, Area Practice Manager

“It’s about the empowerment of women and girls. Celebrating their ability to achieve their dreams. That could mean being a stay-at-home mum, a business owner, or an Astronaut. By supporting each other we can literally reach for the stars.”
Arah Perrett, Development Manager

“It’s a celebration of women’s achievements across the world, regardless of race or background and whilst reflecting on progress made, its about continuing to drive more change for gender equality.”
Clair Smith, Managing Director

Tell us about women who have inspired you.

“As a women choosing a career in finance, Carla Brown Msc, FPFS, Certs CII (MP&ER) is a true inspiration to me. As a St. James's Place Partner managing a very successful Practice whilst also bringing up children, she has shown resilience in a heavily male dominated industry. She is a true leader who is also the current appointed President of the Personal Finance Society - the UK’s largest financial planning professional body.”
Lynsey Elsey, Wealth Management Consultant

“All the women I work with inspire me in different ways. We have a number of working mums who are actively trying to progress their careers whilst balancing the need to be a present mother to their children; we have women who have decided to take a slightly different role to their original career choice and been incredibly brave to choose to do so, to push themselves and their capabilities; we have women who are dealing with challenges outside of work, who still come in and be the very best they can be, pushing everything else to one side which takes enormous strength of mind. Every woman I work with has a story and I find them all inspirational for that reason. I am proud to work alongside them all to help achieve not only at an individual level, but for a joint purpose, to ensure we are delivering exceptional client outcomes.”
Susan McClymont, Operations Specialist

“My primary school head mistress, Mrs Bishop, saw some kind of potential in me and took me under her wing. She encouraged my parents to be aspirational around my education. As a result, I attended an excellent grammar school and gained confidence and skills that have served me well throughout my life. I remain immensely grateful for the opportunity. I have no doubt that it positively changed the course of my life.”
Arah Perrett, Development Manager

“Dr Sarah Ruggins at St. James's Place is an inspiration to me. Not least because of the success in her role, but the extreme challenges that she has taken on and overcome, which tells us that we can do anything if we really focus the mind.”
Clair Smith, Managing Director

How do we support other women in financial services?

“Leading by example! Demonstrating women are equal to men in their career choices by installing empowerment to shift outside their comfort zones for continual personal development and feeling valued in the workplace.”
Lynsey Elsey, Wealth Management Consultant

“By celebrating achievements of others, whether that’s at home or at work, big or small, it’s important to acknowledge when women have achieved a goal in their life and career. If we highlight the achievements of one woman, it might inspire many others.”
Rachel Wood, Marketing Team Leader

“You can do this in a number of ways, by offering coaching and support to those less experienced. By recognising achievements and calling out success. By championing and empowering female colleagues.”
Clair Smith, Managing Director