EQUALL 2026: “Rewriting the Rules” on gender equality
London Business School conference calls for action to rewrite the rules of gender equality in business
On 6 March, London Business School’s (LBS) EQUALL conference drew together over 400 attendees from more than 50 countries and 20 universities, uniting a diverse community of future leaders under the theme “Rewriting the Rules.” The event, which was orchestrated by LBS’s Women in Business (WiB) club, showcased the urgent need for collective, intentional action to accelerate gender equality in business and society.
Opening the conference, WiB Co-Presidents Jenny Kuo and Mariana Rocca Benavides set the tone: “Change cannot happen in isolation. It takes intention and coming together.” Dean Sergei Guriev underscored LBS’s commitment to developing female leaders and doubling down on gender equality, especially at a time when many institutions are retreating from open discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Over the course of the day, 26 inspirational speakers covered topics ranging from leadership identity to career growth, allyship and visibility.
Keynote speakers Afua Kyei, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at the Bank of England and Anna Bateson, CEO of The Guardian Group offered masterclasses in navigating complexity and driving transformation.
Recently named the UK’s most influential Black person, Afua shared her journey from scientist to finance leader. She stressed the importance of thinking big, dreaming big, and forging your own path. She also emphasised the resilience that cognitive diversity builds and encouraged the audience to experiment, innovate, and invest in the people around them. Anna highlighted the need for risk-taking, adaptability, and values-driven leadership in the era of AI and misinformation. She also urged attendees to see career journeys as marathons, not sprints. “The mistakes you make are a feature, not a bug,” she noted.
Designing Power: Building Teams, Cultures, and Conviction
Marta Pogroszewska, a senior leader at Bread Holdings and former COO of Gail's Bakery and Anna Richey, the co-founder & CEO of Two Chicks had a candid conversation on how leadership evolves as businesses scale. Accountability, curiosity, and integrity were highlighted as being an essential part of the leadership toolkit as businesses grow. They also discussed the importance of intentional culture-building in driving the sustainable growth that comes from having a strong, values-driven team.
Investing in Women: The Economic Imperative
The “InvestHER” panel spotlighted the persistent funding gap for female founders. Panellists called for more capital to flow to women, citing data that female-led businesses outperform and drive better returns, meaning that it’s not just fairness—it’s the commercial thing to do.
Panels and workshops on visibility and career advancement highlighted the importance of sponsorship, intentional networking, and structured development. Recognition doesn’t happen by accident. Similarly career pivots do not happen in isolation. They require experimentation and networking as clarity comes from action, not just reflection.
The conference closed with a rallying call from EQUALL Co-Chairs Ify Osakwe and Kylie Navarro and EQUALL Chief of Staff Nishtha Gera: “We all have a role to play. The doors we walk through today didn’t open by accident—women before us pushed them open. Now, it’s up to us to keep them open and invite others through. Be bold. Be courageous. Be kind. And keep rewriting the rules.”
The celebrations continued on 7 March with the EQUALL Ball, an evening dedicated not only to community building but also to expanding access to opportunity. The event raised £1,700 through raffles in support of the Women in Business Access Scholarship, a fund designed to help prospective candidates who may otherwise be unable to afford the cost of applying to London Business School. By supporting women at the very first stage of the application process, the initiative reinforces EQUALL’s mission of widening participation and ensuring that talented future leaders are not held back by financial barriers.
The message from EQUALL 2026 was clear: meaningful progress on gender equality is possible, but only if we act together—with courage, intention, and a commitment to lifting others as we climb.