EQUALL 2024: equality event is a sell-out success
‘A seat at every table’ was the rallying cry at Europe’s biggest student-led equality conference
This year’s EQUALL conference saw some 500 delegates from around the world in attendance at the 24th annual gathering spearheaded by London Business School’s Women in Business (WiB) student club, and supported this year by Uber, accenture and AlixPartners.
24 years on from the inaugural EQUALL conference, which sought to elevate diversity, equity, and inclusion, EQUALL remains true to the origins of its name, offering a safe, comfortable, but challenging space for delegates and speakers to advance the cause of ‘EQUality for ALL’.
Keynote speaker Dame Sharon White, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, was a huge draw for the crowd that gathered at LBS’ London campus and joined virtually on 7 March. A keen advocate of the idea that you can change the world one person at a time, Dame Sharon adopted a non-traditional, informal leadership style to bring different voices to the table, leaving regulator Ofcom, where she worked prior to the John Lewis Partnership, considerably more diverse than it was before she joined. She did not sacrifice who she was and how she wanted to lead in order to succeed.
Dame Sharon also spoke about the ups and downs of a career in business. She started at the John Lewis Partnership five weeks before Covid hit. Subsequently, she has led the business through one of the biggest transformations it has ever undergone. Returning the business to profit and modernising it has meant taking some really difficult decisions. Her advice to future leaders: Never write your legacy today, headlines today only give you part of the picture; always separate what is real and what’s noise; and most of all have fun.
In conversation with EQUALL co-chair Azmeen Merchant, keynote speaker Francesca Carlesi, CEO of Revolut UK, shared stories of a rollercoaster experience leaving a decade-long career in consulting to move into banking right in the middle of the financial crisis and then leaving banking to become an entrepreneur offering online mortgages just as Covid shut down the mortgage market. Her advice to budding entrepreneurs is to be passionate about the work you do, listen to your gut, learn about yourself, stay true to yourself and your values, and build a support network around you as you cannot do it alone.
The importance of supporters was a familiar refrain throughout the day, particularly during the panel “From Supporter to Sponsor: Calling All Allies”, which was put together by Christian John Rojo, a WiB Allies Executive Committee leader and President of the social mobility diversity club at LBS, as well as Arturo Oddo Munita, a WiB Allies Executive Committee member. At home, at school, and in the workplace, sponsorship and allyship are critical to fighting biases, creating inclusive spaces, and enabling diverse teams and organizations. Citing research that indicated one in six British men aged 16-29 say feminism has done more harm than good, the panellists recognised the importance of bringing young boys into the conversation about equality rather than allowing them to feel marginalised.
An additional focus of the day centred on the topic of women investing in women, highlighting the urgent need to encourage more women to pursue investment roles and break the challenges that women face in securing funding for their ventures. Panellists discussing how to “Unlock the Multiplier Effect” underscored the importance of women proving their capabilities in all spheres of work and life through strong performance.
In a timely shift, the discussions smoothly transitioned to the realm of women’s health, emphasizing the critical role of proper nutrition and mental well-being to enhance performance. Dr. Linia Patel underscored the complexity of women's health, highlighting the importance of nourishing the body to optimize mental and physical performance. Beyond that, the panellists encouraged women to share their stories, fostering greater awareness of female health, a topic historically marginalized. This served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing journey towards gender equality, urging women to embrace their health and well-being.
Speaking about the success of the event, WiB Co-Presidents Vale Martinez Escardó, Monica Cogo, and Samm Yu commented:
“For this year’s event, A Seat at Every Table, we wanted to focus on empowering and equipping women to be able to have influence in every arena of their lives. We are delighted that so many leading voices from across industries were able to join us to explore everything from sustainability to women’s health, personal investing to investing in women, and taking board seats to managing imposter syndrome.
“The EQUALL conference stands as a true example of what can be achieved through teamwork and a strong commitment to excellence. The remarkable efforts and hard work of five all-student teams over the last six months brought us here. Each individual's contribution has been invaluable, and we are profoundly thankful for the tireless effort, innovative ideas, and determination that have been the key to the day’s success.
“We hope to see an even bigger audience at EQUALL 2025. In the meantime, here's to the future, to the continued success of our collective endeavours, and to getting a seat at every table.”
