Power of Women Awards 2026: Celebrating Leadership, Opportunity and Real Change

London’s business community came together in powerful fashion on 5 March 2026 as Dress for Success Greater London hosted its ninth annual Power of Women Awards at Sidara, 150 Holborn. 

The sold-out event marked more than a celebration of inspiring individuals, it was a reminder of what happens when opportunity, mentorship and belief combine to unlock potential.

Held ahead of International Women’s Day, and aligned with the global theme #GiveToGain, the evening brought together leaders from business, law, media, culture and civil society. The atmosphere was one of recognition, but also of determination: a shared commitment to ensuring more women have the confidence, support and practical tools needed to succeed in the workplace.

Hosted by charity ambassador Tskenya-Sarah Frazer, the evening opened with remarks from Juanita Ingram, founder and Trustee Chair of Dress for Success Greater London. Reflecting on the charity’s eleven years of impact, she highlighted the tangible difference the organisation continues to make across the capital.

Since its founding, the charity has empowered more than 11,500 women, with an impressive 80% employment success rate. Through professional clothing, career coaching and long-term workforce development programmes, Dress for Success helps women overcome barriers to employment and build sustainable careers.

The evening also celebrated a remarkable group of award recipients whose leadership and commitment are driving real change.

Honourees included Baroness Floella Benjamin, recognised for cultural influence and advocacy; Sangeeta Pillai for amplifying diverse voices; Sophie Neary for economic leadership; and Ruth Dodsworth OBE for media and social impact. Organisations and partners were also recognised for their contributions, including A&O Shearman, No7 Beauty, and Lewisham Works, while individuals such as Naomi Harrison, Demisola Ogunfuwa, and Tara Thomas were celebrated for their dedication, resilience and achievements.

For attendees, the message of the night was clear: empowering women isn’t just a social mission — it is a business imperative.

As Samantha Latouche of Dress for Success Greater London reflected during the evening, the event was more than an awards ceremony. It was a showcase of resilience, ambition and the power of collective support.

With Power of Women 2027 already on the horizon, the momentum continues to grow. For businesses looking to champion opportunity, inclusion and leadership, the message is simple: when women thrive, organisations and society, thrive with them.

https://www.dressforsuccessgl.org

Over 45 Organisations Confirmed for Allendale Community Open Day – Last Call for Exhibitors

Over 45 local charities, voluntary groups and community organisations have now confirmed their participation in the Allendale Community Centre’s free Community Open Day on Sunday 17th May 2026.

Running from 10am to 4pm at the Allendale Community Centre, visitors are welcome to drop in at any time throughout the day. The event brings together a wide range of support, activities and opportunities available across Wimborne and the surrounding East Dorset area, with something for every individual and every family.

Confirmed exhibitors include:

Dorset Volunteer Centre – Discover local volunteering opportunities and how you can get involved.

Helpful Hounds Assistance Dogs – A mental health charity supporting young people and their families with the help of trained Assistance Dogs.

Planet Wimborne – Bringing the community together to take action on the climate and ecological emergency.

Wimborne Minster Folk Festival Organisation Team. Find out what’s happening at the famous Wimborne Folk Festival in June, how you can volunteer, and how you can become a Friend of the Festival.

The day will feature family-friendly activities for children, alongside information on local clubs, emergency services, health and wellbeing groups, carer support and much more. The popular Allendale Café will be open all day serving refreshments.

This is a relaxed, no-pressure information event, there will be no selling and no fundraising, just the chance to meet local organisations and discover what’s available on your doorstep.

Carole Chedgy from the Allendale Community Centre said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the fantastic response, with over 45 organisations already confirmed. This really shows how much wonderful support, activity and community spirit exists across Wimborne and the surrounding area. Whether you’re new to the BH21 area, raising a family, or have lived here for years, come along, have a look around and connect with what’s happening locally.”

Last call for exhibitors Local not-for-profit organisations still wishing to take part are encouraged to contact the centre as soon as possible. The final deadline for exhibitor spaces is 30 April 2026.

For the latest list of confirmed exhibitors and full event details, visit: www.theallendale.org/openday

For more information or to enquire about a free stall, call 01202 887247 and ask for Jane or Brian, or email info@theallendale.org.

Free entry — everyone is welcome.

Digital Infrastructure: The New Battleground for Office Buildings

If you still think fast internet is just a “nice to have” for office buildings, think again. 

A new white paper from Modern Networks Ltd makes the case that digital infrastructure is rapidly becoming a decisive factor in commercial property value, leasing success, and investor confidence.

The report, titled From Brown Discounts to Digital Premiums, explores how robust connectivity, smart building capabilities, and independently verified digital performance are reshaping expectations in the office market. In short: buildings that are digitally prepared are increasingly outperforming those that aren’t.

Certified Connectivity = Higher Rents

The evidence is mounting. Research examining Central London leasing data alongside certification records from WiredScore found that digitally certified buildings command noticeably higher rents.

Analysis by Cushman & Wakefield showed WiredScore-certified offices achieved an average rental premium of 4.1%, with the most digitally capable buildings reaching uplifts of up to 5.1%.

It’s not just about rent either. Occupancy improves too. Research summarised by WiredScore using data from Moody’s Analytics suggests that vacancy rates are around 3.8% lower in certified buildings compared with similar properties lacking digital credentials.

Tenants Now Expect Digital Certainty

The shift reflects a simple reality: tenants increasingly view connectivity as a basic utility, not a luxury.

Reliable internet, strong in-building mobile coverage, and smooth digital onboarding are now central to decision-making when businesses evaluate office space. If a building cannot demonstrate dependable connectivity from day one, it risks being discounted by potential tenants.

Introducing BuildingConnect

Alongside the white paper, Modern Networks is launching BuildingConnect, a service aimed at helping landlords and managing agents improve digital readiness across multi-let office buildings and flexible workspaces.

The approach focuses on several key elements:

resilient building-wide connectivity

clear separation between landlord and tenant IT systems

defined responsibilities for infrastructure management

documented evidence trails to support certification and due diligence

According to Managing Director James Tizzard, digital performance has moved from the server room to the boardroom.

When connectivity is reliable, documented and independently validated, it reduces friction in the leasing process and helps investors and occupiers clearly understand risk and resilience.

The New Value Narrative for Property

The wider message of the report is clear: digital infrastructure is becoming as important as location, sustainability credentials, or transport links when assessing office assets.

For landlords and investors, that means connectivity strategy is no longer just an IT issue — it’s a core component of asset performance.

The white paper From Brown Discounts to Digital Premiums is available from Modern Networks on request and through the company’s website https://modern-networks.co.uk

International Creativity and Innovation Day: Why Bold Ideas Drive Business Success

Every successful business started with a simple idea. 

Whether it was a new product, a better service, or a smarter way of doing things, innovation sits at the heart of progress. 

That’s exactly what International Creativity and Innovation Day, celebrated each year on 21 April, is all about.

Recognised by the United Nations, the day encourages individuals, organisations, and governments to think differently and embrace fresh ideas that can improve lives, communities, and industries.

For businesses of all sizes, it’s a timely reminder that creativity isn’t just for artists or designers. It’s a core skill that fuels growth, solves problems, and helps companies stay competitive.

Creativity Is a Business Advantage

In an increasingly crowded marketplace, originality matters. Businesses that encourage creative thinking are more likely to:

Develop innovative products and services

Improve efficiency through smarter processes

Respond quickly to changing markets

Stand out from competitors

From small independent retailers to global tech companies, innovation often comes from asking one simple question: Is there a better way to do this?

Innovation Starts With Workplace Culture

Creativity rarely thrives in rigid environments. Companies that want innovative ideas must create a culture where people feel comfortable experimenting and sharing suggestions.

That might include:

Encouraging brainstorming sessions

Allowing time for side projects or experimentation

Rewarding creative problem-solving

Listening to ideas from staff at every level

Many breakthrough ideas come from unexpected places, including junior employees who see problems from a fresh perspective.

Small Businesses Can Innovate Too

Innovation isn’t limited to major corporations with massive research budgets. Small businesses often lead the way because they can move quickly and adapt without layers of bureaucracy.

Examples of everyday business innovation include:

Streamlining customer service with new digital tools

Introducing sustainable packaging or greener processes

Offering new ways for customers to interact online

Creating unique experiences that competitors cannot easily copy

Even minor improvements can make a significant difference over time.

Celebrate Creativity in Your Business

International Creativity and Innovation Day is a great opportunity to spark new thinking within your team. Consider:

Hosting a workplace “ideas day”

Running a staff innovation challenge

Reviewing processes to identify improvements

Encouraging employees to share new product or service ideas

Sometimes the next big breakthrough begins with a simple conversation.

The Future Belongs to Creative Businesses

In a world shaped by rapid technological change, businesses that embrace creativity will be better equipped to adapt and thrive. Innovation isn’t just about invention, it’s about continuously improving, questioning assumptions, and exploring new possibilities.

International Creativity and Innovation Day is a reminder that the best ideas often come from those willing to think differently.

And in business, thinking differently can make all the difference.

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CIBSE delegation strengthens international collaboration on visit to Australia

CIBSE recently concluded a successful visit to Australia, engaging with industry leaders, academic partners and early-career engineers across Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. 

The trip focused on knowledge sharing, professional development and promoting sustainable, high-performing buildings.

During their time in Sydney, CIBSE CEO Ruth Carter, 2025/26 President Vince Arnold and Director of Membership Richard Goldsbrough met with the CIBSE New South Wales Committee, Engineers Australia, Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), International Code Council (ICC) and NABERS representatives.

Discussions centred on professional mobility, mutual recognition, sustainability initiatives, embodied carbon verification and opportunities for international collaboration to advance building performance globally.

The delegation also hosted a Heads of Industry Breakfast attended by over 50 leaders and participated in the CIBSE ANZ Young Engineers Network (YEN) “Aspirational Engineer” event, inspiring early and mid-career professionals.

In Melbourne, meetings with RMIT University (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology), AIRAH (Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating) and the University of Melbourne focused on supporting students and graduates, expanding professional development opportunities and strengthening links between academia and industry. 

A successful Heads of Industry Breakfast provided a platform for discussion on emerging trends, competence and mentoring the next generation of engineers.

The delegation concluded the visit in Adelaide, hosting a Heads of Industry Breakfast with over 40 local leaders and engaging with the Institute of Healthcare Engineering Australia (IHEA) to discuss global professional connections and collaboration in healthcare engineering.

The visit highlights CIBSE’s ongoing commitment to fostering professional standards, sustainable building practices, and the development of engineering talent worldwide.

https://www.cibse.org

Digital TradeTech Is Cutting Costs and Paperwork for UK Exporters

Two newly released TradeTech reports from PUBLIC, produced in partnership with the UK Government, reveal structured digital trade workflows are already delivering real-world improvements for businesses trading with Australia and New Zealand.

The research forms part of the UK–APAC TradeTech programme, which has been testing digital trade solutions in live SME export transactions. The takeaway is striking: tariffs are no longer the biggest barrier to smooth international trade, outdated processes are.

Across the programme, fragmented paperwork, repeated data entry and manual document handling were identified as major sources of delay and cost. By replacing these processes with structured digital workflows, businesses could significantly streamline operations.

The Results Speak for Themselves

Across real trade corridors, including transactions powered by Boex, the programme recorded measurable gains:

55% reduction in physical document handling

60% faster document preparation

83% faster processing per shipment

£40,535 annual savings for one SME exporter

The case studies behind these results appear in both reports, examining trade flows between the UK and partners in Australia and New Zealand.

From Email Chaos to Digital Trade Records

One standout example involved Boex supporting live trade between UK firm Jointine and partners across the Asia-Pacific region.

Rather than changing regulations or compliance requirements, the improvements came from reorganising how trade data is created, shared and verified.

By replacing email attachments and PDFs with a single shared digital trade record, the platform eliminated repeated data entry, reduced version-control problems and created a clear, auditable record for every party involved in the shipment.

The lesson is simple: efficiency gains come from better structured data, not cutting corners on compliance.

TradeTech Moves from Pilot to Reality

The programme also shows TradeTech has moved beyond experimental trials into genuine commercial use.

Alongside Boex, platforms including Phlo Systems, Trade Harmonizer and Spot Ship were tested across multiple trade corridors.

The consistent outcome:

faster trade execution

fewer administrative headaches for SMEs

more accurate data across supply chains

lower operating costs.

What Happens Next?

As adoption grows, the focus is shifting from legislation to implementation. The reports highlight the need for interoperable digital standards, stronger collaboration between governments and logistics providers, and continued investment in scalable trade infrastructure.

If those pieces fall into place, the UK–APAC corridor could become a blueprint for the future of global trade, one where paperwork no longer slows business down.

https://boex.biz