IWD 2025

What we learned and why it matters

In honour of International Women’s Day and our ongoing commitment to accelerating action towards a more equitable world, we welcomed an extraordinary panel of speakers to our event in London last week.  

“Gender equality is not just a women’s issue; it is a human issue.”  

– Noreen Biddle Shah

Here are a few facts to paint a picture of how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go: 

• 100 years ago in the UK, women were not allowed to vote.  

• 50 years ago, women in the UK needed permission from their spouse to get a mortgage.  

• In Ireland up until 1973 the marriage act required women to give up work once they got married. Essentially that meant that getting married meant losing your financial independence. 

• Globally today a woman doing the same role as a man earns on average 23% less.  

We know that when everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive, communities prosper and economies grow.  

Companies with greater gender diversity are 21% more likely to experience above-average profitability. Yet women are still underrepresented in leadership roles, holding only 29% of senior management positions globally. 

Gender biases continue to hinder progress but allyship and sponsorship, accountability, and systematic change, are all enablers of change. 

Gender mainstreaming, which integrates gender perspectives into all policies and programmes, also remains one of the most effective strategies for achieving gender equality.  

But if progress continues as its current speed, it will take until 2158 – roughly five generations from now – to achieve full gender parity.  

“This year’s IWD theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ calls on us all, as individual leaders and as a collective, to act thoughtfully and intentionally.  This includes setting concrete goals and holding ourselves accountable for the results”

– Siobhan  Noble

That theme was reflected in our three-part event in London: accelerate, action, and impact. Our incredible panellists shared insights, experiences, and actionable steps to help us speed up the momentum of the women’s movement.  

Some of our key take aways: 

• Take the leap: Embrace opportunities, even if they seem daunting. In the words of our Non-Executive Director, Mary O’Connor: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” 

• Break the cycle: If you’re stuck in a rut, it’s time to shake things up. Start fresh and remember, it’s never too late to make a change. As Triple Olympian, Natalya Coyle told us: “It’s never too late to try something new. Try that new sport. Apply for that job. Try, try, try. What’s the worst that could happen?” 

• Find your voice: If you’re not getting what you deserve, change your approach. Be more visible, learn to influence, and play the game strategically. 

• Lift as you climb: Be a sponsor and support others, especially women, in their professional growth. A little encouragement can go a long way. 

• Lead by example: Your actions can drive meaningful change. Carne’s Non-Executive Director, Mike O’Brien advised: “Call out bad behaviours – even if it’s your mate. If you stand there and watch, you’re no better.” 

• The power of allyship: Together, we can achieve more. David Ricketts, Author and Asset Management Correspondent knows that: “Male allyship is listening to your female colleagues, hearing their stories, making them feel validated and listened to – but also taking action when they come to you with concerns.” 

• Stand firm in your values: Progress often faces resistance. And meaningful change calls for confident advocacy. Rick Lacaille, Former Chief Investment Officer at State Street highlighted this message: “I urge senior leaders in financial services to develop a thick skin. Do what you think is the right thing based on the evidence in front of you. You need to figure out the best way of nurturing talent across diversity. 

• Stay curious: Continuous curiosity fuels personal and professional development. As Alla Bashenko, Non-Executive Director at Mitsui Bussan Commodities and Willis Limited, said: “Always keep learning. For the brain to have muscle memory, one must exercise it.” 

• Own your journey: Your happiness and career are in your hands. Be the CEO of your life. Dinah Cobbinah, Founder of Ohema, said it best: “Always back yourself – because if you’re not confident enough to ask for what you want, no one else will do it for you. Own your worth and go after it.” 

At Carne, we strive to be a force for good, and an essential piece of that mission is continuously working towards a safe, equal, and fair playing field for everyone. By integrating these lessons into our daily lives, we can accelerate action towards a more equitable world.