Women in Leadership: The Stories That Inspire Us This International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is a moment to recognise the success and achievements of women here, and around the world. At Glaisyers ETL, we’re celebrating the journeys of four women in leadership roles across our client base, delving into their careers to see how they ended up where they are now, and hearing the inspirations they want to share with young women looking to create standout careers in their industry.
Jo Taylor, Founder & Director – BrandXYZ
Can you share a bit about your career journey and how you’ve reached your current role?
After leaving uni in 2003, I put myself through a CIPR post grad certification in PR and from there started agencyside in 2004, in a small 4 man independent in a town called Bromosgrove near where I lived at the time. I then made the jump to a bigger networked agency, McCann Erickson at it’s Solihull base near Birmingham. I spent two years working on some brilliant brands like Mercerdes-Benz World and Arval BNP Paribas as well as Siemens Automation and Drives. Then in 2008 I made the decision to move to Manchester and joined the agency which would be my home for the next 13 years – Tangerine. I joined as an account manager when there were 12 staff and left as an associate director when there were close to 100. It was an incredible agency and I will always be grateful for my time and the skills I learned there.
In May 2021, Andy Burnham had announced in his manifesto that Greater Manchester would soon be the recipient of a new integrated transport network – The Bee Network. And that summer I applied and was successful in landing the role of Transport for Greater Manchester’s head of brand, marketing, design and digital, responsible for the development and delivery of the Bee Network brand, one of the biggest public transport transformations in decades.
After a very rewarding three years in the role having successfully delivered the brand roll out and cementing the Bee Network as one of the fastest growing transport brands in the UK, I decided to launch my own agency BrandXYZ in 2024. The Government had given the mandate for all other local authorities to pursue the opportunity of bus franchising which gave us a unique USP and I wanted to work with brands that had always filled my cup in my previous agency life – purpose driven, strong values and those wanting to do some good in the world.
But I didn’t want to follow a traditional agency model, the industry landscape was changing and so was what clients wanted from their agency partners. So, I decided to launch a superagency model, supported by freelancers, contactors and other small agencies, enabling us to build bespoke teams of senior brand, marketing, PR and comms specialists, scaling up quickly when clients need us and down when they don’t.
What achievement in your career are you most proud of?
Professionally, leading the Bee Network brand strategy will always be a standout moment not only because of the complexity and scale, but because my kids see a Bee Network bus driving down the street and say, “Mummy it’s one of your buses”, what Transport for Greater Manchester has delivered will directly impact my children’s lives for the better and to be a part of that is something I will remain hugely proud of.
Has there been a defining moment that shaped the direction of your career?
Moving to Manchester was without doubt a turning point in my career, had I have stayed in the Midlands, I wouldn’t have had the experiences and training from my time at Tangerine and ultimately wouldn’t have had the opportunity to secure such a pivotal senior role at Transport for Greater Manchester, the experience of which has now led me to set up my own agency.
I would also say moving inhouse was a pretty pivotal moment too. It’s so hard to understand what life is like for clients if you’ve never walked in their shoes, I realised very quickly how agencies often underestimate the pressure, complexity and pace inside client organisations. Understanding that firsthand reshaped my entire approach and has made BrandXYZ a more rounded agency with the ability to understand client needs on a completely different level.
What does leadership mean to you, and how do you apply it in your role?
Leadership, for me, is about empowerment, trust and getting out of people’s way. Our superagency model means everyone is senior, skilled and selfdriven, my job is to set direction, remove barriers and create an environment where they can do their best work.
I am also a firm believer that anyone in a leadership position should always remember the ability you have to change the course of someone’s life at work and potentially their career. You have the ability to build them up, coach and mentor them and give them the skills to flourish as they move through the industry but too many forget that the negative impacts that poor leadership can have on an individual’s confidence, mental health and their future in the industry in which they’re currently working.
As leaders it is our job to guide, support and create positive working environments and that’s something I take very seriously. What our partners say about working with BrandXYZ is equally as important as what our clients say about working with us.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in your sector, and how have you navigated them?
I have worked in many sectors over the years that are male dominated, particularly at senior levels, transport being just one of them.
My approach to managing that has always been two-fold:
- Good stakeholder engagement – work hard at building senior relationships and prove why you’re in the room in the first place
- Always bring it back to the facts – if you’re going to make a case for something base it on facts and facts alone, nothing in the subjective.
I also made it a point to build strong networks with other women. Now, through my volunteer role with Women in Transport, I’m committed to helping improve diversity and inclusion in the transport sector and support them to step into senior roles with confidence.
What advice would you give to women starting out in your field?
Be brave earlier than you think you should. Back your instincts. Ask the questions no one else asks. And most importantly build a network, even if networking isn’t your thing, find ways to make contacts, learn from others in the industry, volunteer for industry or sector bodies that mean you’re giving back as well as learning.
The network I’ve built over the last 20 years has been integral as I’ve set up my business and I’ve been so grateful for the support and advice, everything from coffees and accessing their co-working spaces to be able to bring old contacts into my business to support our clients.
What inspires you most — inside or outside of work?
I’m inspired by people who genuinely want to make things better whether that’s in my industry or my client’s industries, working with people and brands that are motivated by doing good fills my cup and everyone who works with BrandXYZ. Outside of work, my family are a huge driver, particularly my children, they definitely keep me grounded but I learn from them on a daily basis too!
Are there any books, podcasts or people who have influenced your outlook or career?
I take more from conversations than from books: speaking to leaders, agency founders, creatives and people who solve real problems in smart ways. The biggest influence has been the teams I’ve worked with. Great teams, collaborators and experiences shape you more than any business book ever will.
Claire Bunbury, Barrister, specialising in commercial litigation and insolvency – 23ES
Can you share a bit about your career journey and how you’ve reached your current role?
I always wanted to be a barrister. My family, who I am very close to, are based near Manchester and so it made sense for me to come back up North after university and try to get pupillage on the Northern Circuit. I did pupillage at St James’s Chambers in Manchester and remained there until 2015, when I joined 23ES as a founder member of the Business and Property team.
What achievement in your career are you most proud of?
When we joined 23ES, we had to work very hard to establish a presence on Circuit. 23ES had a great reputation as a Criminal set, but it didn’t operate in the Business and Property sphere at all. We were only a small team with one commercial clerk, and looking back it was a risk that might not have paid off! We are now thriving and have recruited some fabulous clerks and absolutely top-class barristers, some of whom did pupillage with us. We also now have a silk in the team – hopefully the first of many. I’m very proud of how far we have come since 2015, and am very much looking forward to what is to come for our brilliant team.
What does leadership mean to you, and how do you apply it in your role?
I try to lead by example, so I always try to show junior barristers how they should behave, rather than telling them. All of the barrister at 23ES are self-employed, so no one is the ‘boss’ as such. Those of us at the senior end try to promote an ethos of hard work, excellent client service and ambition by acting in accordance with those principles ourselves, and hoping that people coming up through the ranks will follow suit.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in your sector, and how have you navigated them?
I have two daughters who are primary school age, and I have always been focussed on being the most ‘present’ mum possible. That means that sometimes I am unavailable for work because I have something planned with my girls, such as a half term or a sports day. I have always been very open and honest about that with my instructing solicitors, and I have found that it has never actually cost me any clients. I’m extremely fortunate to have a very loyal group of longstanding instructing solicitors, and they have always accommodated my sometimes tricky diary by working around my personal commitments as much as possible. Having such a brilliant group of instructing solicitors and the best senior clerk in the business have meant that I have always felt that I am fulfilling my role as a barrister and my role as a mum to the very best of my ability.
What advice would you give to women starting out in your field?
Make friends – you will need them! I have no doubt that I would not have anywhere near the level of success I have achieved if I didn’t have a very strong network of supportive colleagues who have ended up becoming great friends. Life at the Bar is rewarding but tough and at times very stressful. I have found over the years that I have really relied upon the strong relationships I have been lucky enough to form through my job. Some of my closest friends are people who I originally met as colleagues in Chambers, clerks and professional clients and I know that without them, my career would have been a lot less enjoyable. I do not believe that you need to be competitive in order to succeed, and my advice to all women starting out now would be to look for like-minded people who you can rely on for support when you need it, and who you will enjoy spending time with.
What inspires you most — inside or outside of work?
I have two young daughters, and what drives me is setting an example to them as to how far you can get through hard work, without sacrificing your home life or your relationships with the important people in your life.
Are there any books, podcasts or people who have influenced your outlook or career?
My dad, who instilled in me a high level of self-belief and a strong work ethic.
Jaime Gee, Co-founder & MD – Jam
Can you share a bit about your career journey and how you’ve reached your current role?
I launched Jam when I was 25. At the time, the agency world was very different – large network agencies dominated and we were one of the first boutique independents. But I knew we could do things differently, offering a more agile and personal approach.
Twenty years later, we’ve built exactly that. We’ve stayed intentionally independent, grown through reputation and results, and proven that size doesn’t dictate impact.
What achievement in your career are you most proud of?
Without question, I’m most proud of the agency as a whole. Building something that we’ve sustained for 20 years in such a fast-moving industry is something I don’t take lightly. Clients come back to us time and again, which speaks volumes about the solid relationships we cultivate. Longevity, trust and repeat partnerships mean we’ve built something real.
Has there been a defining moment that shaped the direction of your career?
Launching Jam at 25 was the defining moment. Backing myself early on shaped everything that followed. It hasn’t been plain sailing but I have learnt an awful lot and I live by the motto – fail forward.
What does leadership mean to you, and how do you apply it in your role?
Leadership, to me, is about clarity, courage and support. It’s setting standards, being honest, and creating an environment where people feel safe to do their best work. I definitely lead from the front and the Jammers know I am their safety net.
I am direct, but I believe clarity is a kindness. You can be clear and empathetic at the same time. That balance is something I consciously practise every day.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in your sector, and how have you navigated them?
Marketing can be progressive on the surface, but leadership tables haven’t always reflected that. I’ve experienced moments where women were talked over, underestimated or expected to soften their opinions.
I was raised by an incredibly strong mother and so I’ve never been one to dilute myself to fit. And I’m on a mission to support other women however they need. We don’t move forward individually – we move forward together.
What advice would you give to women starting out in your field?
Speak up. Back yourself. Don’t wait for permission.
You will be called direct before you’re called decisive – don’t let that shrink you. Build your credibility through your work, support other women loudly, and remember that your voice is part of your value.
What inspires you most — inside or outside of work?
I’m inspired by women who refuse to make themselves smaller to make others comfortable. I’m inspired by resilience and by people who build things from scratch and stand by their standards.
I’m also deeply motivated by seeing other women step into their confidence – sometimes before they realise they’re ready.
Jennifer Iftakhar, Sales Manager – Northern Group
Can you share a bit about your career journey and how you’ve reached your current role?
I’ve worked in the property sector for 23 years, starting my career in 2003 as a sales negotiator for an independent estate agency in Manchester city centre, well before the skyline was filled with the high-rises you see today.
In 2004, I moved into the corporate estate agency world, where I became a property valuer and progressed into management. I spent 17 years in the corporate sector, working with Countrywide and LSL, gaining invaluable experience through some of the industry’s most challenging periods; including the 2008 financial crash, the impact of the Grenfell tragedy on the city centre market, and the COVID pandemic. Those years taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of strong leadership during uncertain times.
In 2021, I decided to take my career in a new direction and joined a nationwide property developer as a Business Development Manager before progressing to Head of Client Care. In that role, I oversaw a pipeline of over 150 units, guiding them from sale through to completion and ensuring clients were supported throughout the journey.
Following a period of change within the business, I joined a property investment consultancy as Head of Strategic Partnership. There, I was responsible for sourcing and onboarding off-plan and completed developments, conducting due diligence, and strengthening the company’s market position through strategic partnerships.
In 2023, I took the leap to establish my own business as a master agent, working with developers and portfolio landlords to distribute stock through a network of agents and property sourcers. While running my own business gave me invaluable insight into entrepreneurship and strengthened my industry network, I ultimately realised I thrive most in a collaborative environment.
In November last year, I joined Northern Group to establish and lead their new sales department — an opportunity that perfectly combines my experience, industry relationships, and passion for property. It’s incredibly rewarding to build something from the ground up within a supportive and forward-thinking business.
What achievement in your career are you most proud of?
Starting my own business in 2024 is without doubt the achievement I am most proud of. While it didn’t ultimately end in the way I had originally planned, the experience itself was incredibly valuable. Having the opportunity to work for myself, build something that was mine, do things how I wanted, and choose who I worked with was hugely empowering and something I will always be proud of.
It also gave me the flexibility to be there more for my children — being able to drop them off and pick them up from school every day was priceless and, in many ways, defined success for me at that time. It was something that I had rarely been able to do outside of maternity leave.
Running my own business strengthened my confidence, decision-making and judgement, particularly around where to invest my time and who to trust. I worked with some fantastic people, many of whom I now consider friends, and I’ve taken invaluable lessons from that period which I continue to apply in my current role. Ultimately, the experience made me more resilient, self-aware and decisive, qualities that I believe make me better at what I do today.
Has there been a defining moment that shaped the direction of your career?
A defining moment for me was getting over my fear of public speaking. This wasn’t just nerves — it was something I found genuinely difficult. Even speaking up in meetings earlier in my career used to fill me with dread. I hated having attention on me and once I started talking, I’d panic, get a dry throat, shaky voice, and had my own voice echoing loudly in my head.
When I became Head of Partnerships at an investment consultancy, I joined a networking group where I had to speak for 60 seconds every week, the same group where I later met the team at Glaisyers. I was pretty bad at it to begin with, but I knew that if I wanted to be confident in a senior role, speaking in front of people was something I couldn’t keep avoiding.
When the chapter president stepped down, I was asked if I wanted to step into the role. The idea of running a 90 minute meeting every week was terrifying, but a conversation with a business coach really stuck with me. She suggested that fears like public speaking often come from childhood experiences.
That really resonated. I’d been bullied at school for my voice after moving from Oxford to Wrexham when I was nine and sounding different, and I was naturally quite shy. It made me question why I was allowing something from my childhood to hold me back as a woman in my forties with two children.
So I said yes and became president. The first few meetings weren’t great, but I improved over time. I still get nervous speaking to larger groups, but it no longer stops me from
putting myself forward, and that change has had a lasting impact on my career.
What does leadership mean to you, and how do you apply it in your role?
I can probably start by saying what leadership doesn’t mean. Earlier in my career I experienced some very poor leadership (alongside some good examples too), and belittling, shouting at or embarrassing people should never have a place in the workplace. I do think times have changed for the better, and this style of management is now far less acceptable.
To me, good leadership is about adapting your approach to the individual and where they are in their career. For people in the early stages, that often means guidance, patience and, at times, a lot of support. As people grow in confidence and experience, they need more autonomy and trust, the space to make decisions using their own judgement, while knowing that support is there if they need it.
I’m a strong believer in allowing people to make mistakes and helping them work through those situations, rather than stepping in too quickly. That problem-solving is where real learning happens and leads to better outcomes next time.
The one thing I see as essential at every level is regular check-ins. Taking the time to get to know people, understand what motivates them and what support they need makes a huge difference. Everyone is different, and leadership isn’t one size fits all.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in your sector, and how have you navigated them?
In all honesty, for much of my career I haven’t felt significantly held back because I’m a woman, beyond some of the more familiar, industry-wide challenges. That changed slightly when I set up on my own. The sectors I was working across; construction, high-net-worth clients, property sourcers and IP providers, were predominantly male.
I want to be clear that the vast majority of people I worked with were incredibly supportive, professional and trustworthy. However, there were a small number of situations where I felt that being a female business owner operating independently was seen as an opportunity to be tested. This showed itself through attempts to change agreed terms, move goalposts or bypass me on deals, which was both disappointing and challenging.
I navigated those situations by leaning on trusted people as sounding boards, keeping clear records of conversations and decisions, and ensuring I had strong legal support in place. Those experiences reinforced the importance of boundaries, due diligence and surrounding yourself with the right advisors, lessons that have stayed with me.
What advice would you give to women starting out in your field?
A few things stand out. Firstly, stay classy. There will be moments where things feel frustrating, unfair or emotionally charged, but keeping your composure and taking the long-term view really matters. Playing the long game often puts you in a stronger position than reacting in the moment.
If you’re considering starting your own business, I’m a big advocate of doing so. It isn’t easy, but if it’s something you want to pursue, I would encourage doing it earlier in your career where possible. In my experience, it becomes more challenging to balance the risks and demands once you’re also managing children, mortgages and other responsibilities, although this was just my experience and everyone’s circumstances are different.
Earlier in my career, I sometimes found myself doing things that didn’t fully align with my values because they fitted the culture or narrative of the business at the time. With experience, I’ve learned the importance of operating with honesty and transparency, even when it feels uncomfortable. Ultimately, those are the qualities that lasting professional relationships are built on. Essentially, always be yourself.
What inspires you most — inside or outside of work?
At home, my two children inspire me more than anything. My son is calm, measured and sensible, while my daughter is full of energy, strong, loving and an excellent baker. They are everything to me, and wanting to make them proud is a constant motivator.
Outside of that, I don’t have one single source of inspiration, but I’ve found that investing time in understanding myself has made a real difference. Therapy has been particularly valuable in helping me understand how I think, what drives me and how I respond to challenge.
I also love yoga it’s far harder than it looks, but it forces you to be completely present and switch off from whatever is in your head, which I find incredibly grounding. I love cooking and when time allows, reading, getting outside and fresh air all help me reset and keep perspective.
Are there any books, podcasts or people who have influenced your outlook or career?
I don’t have one specific book or podcast that I consistently follow, largely because time outside of work and family is limited.
Both of my children love Taylor Swift, and through listening to her music, going to the Eras tour and learning more about her work ethic, I’ve come to really admire her. She comes across as grounded, extremely hardworking and genuinely kind, and I think she’s a positive role model, particularly given the influence she has on young people, especially my two!
For myself, I enjoy reading fiction when I get the chance, and I’ll occasionally listen to a Joe Rogan podcast, depending on the guest. More than anything though, I’m influenced by the people around me, having good, successful friends who are supportive, honest and who show up consistently has probably had the biggest impact on how I approach both work and life.
Hopefully, these stories have resonated with you. Inspiring women are everywhere, and our aim is to empower women to celebrate their successes, not just today, but all year round.
If you’re looking for a career that empowers you and provides a healthy, supportive, and stimulating working environment, then contact our team at Glaisyers ETL and see how you can begin your journey with one of the North West’s leading legal firms.
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