Women in Leadership Conference

Nova Lorraine is a psychologist turned award-winning futurist and fashion designer, celebrated globally as one of the most influential voices in Web3 and AI. She has redefined what it means to merge creativity with technology on a world stage, making history as the first fashion designer to have her creation land on the moon.

Nova’s groundbreaking work has graced the covers of Forbes, Inc., and Italian Vogue, positioning her among the top influencers in both the fashion and technology worlds. Beyond her design and tech achievements, she advises founders and startups while building the House of Nova—a visionary platform set to redefine the future of couture.

As a keynote speaker and two-time author, Nova continues to lead conversations on growth mindset and innovation. In her latest groundbreaking book, “The Jockey on the Horse”, she not only unravels the complexities of artificial intelligence but also transforms the way we understand and interact with the future, making her a trusted voice for global audiences navigating the digital age. This manifesto for the future empowers readers to turn challenges into opportunities for growth, solidifying her role as a transformative leader in the creative and entrepreneurial spheres.

Nova’s accolades, including the Web3 Creator Future Award, the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Web3and AI Award, and the LAMINA1 NFT Artist Award, further cement her reputation as a trailblazer in both artistic and digital realms. Named a Top 100 Women of the Future, she extends her influence through the “Unleash Your Supernova” podcast, which she produced and hosted, and the “AI for Creatives” podcast. These platforms allow her to further shape and inspire the creative and tech communities.

As the founder of Raine Magazine, Nova has created a platform where the world’s most iconic figures—from Kendall Jenner to Mark Cuban—reveal their untold stories, further cementing her place at the heart of cultural conversations. Currently, she is focused on building the House of Nova Collective, a sisterhood of female founders dedicated to fostering success and support in entrepreneurship. Through this initiative, Nova is shaping the future not only in fashion and technology but also in empowerment and cultural evolution.

In her free time, Nova enjoys writing, improv acting, and spending quality time with her family—balancing her visionary career with a fulfilling personal life. Her work, her voice, and her vision have made her a key figure in the evolving landscape of fashion, technology, and creative entrepreneurship.

Ann Francke is Chief Executive of the Chartered Management Institute, the professional body for managers and leaders. She started her career at Procter & Gamble and has held senior executive positions at Mars, Boots, Yell and BSI.
 
She is a regular columnist for The Times on management and leadership. In 2020 she was awarded an OBE for services to Workplace Equality. She authored ‘Create a Gender-balanced Workplace,’ and the ‘Financial Times Guide to Management’. In 2023, she was awarded the inaugural Memcom Outstanding Contribution Award, for her work in championing the membership sector. 

Mike Binning has worked for Barclays since 2001 and has held most customer facing roles through both retail banking and corporate banking divisions throughout his career, presently a Director in the Corporate Bank Public Sector team, Mike manages client relationships with Local Authorities and Government owned entities. Mike is a husband and father to 2 young children and an active Male Ally within Barclays.

Victoria has 18 years of experience in the utilities industry, specialising in operational and programme management across gas and water contracts. She currently serves as the Contract Director for Gas at Network Plus, a position she has held for the past four years. Prior to this role, she worked at Balfour Beatty. Victoria's specialist interests include health, wellbeing, human factors, people development, and customer innovation.

Ilaria Boncori is a Professor in Organisation Behaviour and Human Resources Management at the University of Essex (UK) where she also serves in a pan-university senior leadership role as Dean Postgraduate Research Development and Engagement. Ilaria is an academic Fellow of CIPD and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her research focuses on in/equalities in organizations and processes of organising, particularly in terms of gender, sexuality, race and foreignness. She is an experienced editor, and the author of numerous books, book chapters, and articles published in international journals.

Professor Sharon Mavin has spent her career researching gender and women’s experiences in leadership and organisations as well as taking up leadership roles in UK university business schools. Sharon is Professor of Leadership and Organisation Studies, having been Director of Newcastle University Business School. She previously held the Director role at Roehampton Business School, University of Roehampton, London and was Dean and Associate Dean Research at Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University. Sharon was awarded the British Academy of Management Medal for Leadership in 2021 and added to the Northern Power Woman Power List, 2022.

Sharon consults with companies, is an executive coach and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, the Royal Society of Arts, the British Academy of Management, CIPD and HEA. She is past-Chair of the Chartered Association of Business School's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and past-Chair of the University Forum for Human Resources and Development (UFHRD). Sharon’s research into gender and women leaders in organisations has been published in international journals such as Human Resource Management Review, Organization Studies, human relations, Management Learning, British Journal of Management and Gender, Work and Organization.

Deb is a multiskilled leader with nearly 30 years of experience in financial services. She began her banking career as a cashier after joining a two-year scheme designed for ethnically diverse individuals, gaining on-the-job experience while studying for a qualification. Deb's career took off at Halifax Bank, where she worked for 14 years in the Branch Network, serving as a Mortgage Advisor and Branch Manager.

Deb transitioned to Barclays, starting as a Premier Banker and excelling in various roles over the past 16 years. Her positions included Relationship Manager, Recruitment Lead, and Operational Leader in Premier Banking, where she led a community of over 100 Premier Bankers. Currently, she serves as a DEI Partner for UK Corporate x Barclaycard Payments.

Passionate about her British-Jamaican-Guyanese-Ethiopian heritage, Deb is dedicated to promoting diversity of thought, championing DE&I, and challenging the status quo within the business. Her commitment to these values propelled her to become one of the first DEI Leads for BUK, culminating in her promotion to Vice President as the inaugural DEI Partner for UK Corporate Bank.

In addition to her financial career, Deb loves to talk—a trait that served her well as a Radio Presenter on a local community station for 17 years. She also pursued acting, appearing in TV shows such as Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Shameless as a Supporting Artist, and even collaborated with Peter Kay on a spoof talent show.

Dr Tarek Jomaa, co-founder of Synthosys, brings a unique blend of motorsport engineering expertise and leadership development to the forefront. With a PhD in Vehicle Dynamics and experience in elite motorsport, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Dr Jomaa applies the principles of balance, precision, and high performance from motorsports to leadership and team development.

At Synthosys, his work delves into unconscious dynamics, helping leaders become more aware of the underlying forces that influence team behaviour and decision-making. His ROGUE coaching model enables leaders to uncover deeper patterns, fostering greater self-awareness, collaboration, and bias reduction. Drawing on his background in vehicle dynamics, Dr Jomaa equips leaders to perform optimally under pressure while maintaining well-being and resilience, much like fine-tuning a race car for peak performance without compromising stability.

Dr Jomaa is also the creator of the “5A Leader” program, designed to develop adaptable and self-aware leaders who thrive in complex environments. As an EMCC Senior Practitioner, a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership (FIoL), and an SFHEA, his approach integrates technical expertise with a deep understanding of human dynamics, offering a fresh perspective on leadership and team performance.

Vanessa Pozzali is a psychologist and co-founder of Synthosys, an innovative organisational development consultancy. With expertise in leadership development and group dynamics, she bridges the gap between psychology and business to provide transformative approaches to leadership and team performance. Her career spans clinical, academic, and corporate settings across Italy and the UK, where she has worked as a registered Psychotherapist (MBACP) and Counselling Psychologist (HCPC).

Vanessa is passionate about empowering leaders to navigate complexity, shaping Synthosys’ leadership programmes that integrate psychological strategies with business solutions. Her work fosters sustainable and inclusive leadership by addressing underlying cultural dynamics. As a sought-after speaker and facilitator, she leads webinars and workshops on leadership development, team dynamics, and the impact of AI, combining psychological theory with practical application to help organisations create resilient cultures.

In her free time, Vanessa enjoys photography, travelling, and exploring new cultures. Her love for the arts and diverse customs enriches her understanding of people and teams. Dedicated to creating meaningful, lasting change, Vanessa continues to inspire those around her in the fields of leadership and organisational well-being.

Tash is a seasoned Equity, Diversity and Inclusion consultant and speaker, known for delivering high-impact, strategy-driven solutions that advance equity, inclusion, and authentic representation in organizations. As a Queer, Black woman, she brings intersectional insights to her work, partnering with clients to build diverse and equitable workplaces that drive business results and foster innovation.

She has collaborated with global brands—including Disney, Unilever, Google, Mercedes eSports, La Prairie, and Kew Gardens—delivering measurable outcomes across diversity strategy, training facilitation, and executive-level EDI consulting. Her projects range from EDI assessments and strategic planning to targeted training programs and high-profile panel discussions, each tailored to align with business goals and enhance organizational culture.

Tash is also Co-Founder of Breaking the Distance, a leading platform for positive LGBTQIA+ representation, where she helps shape conversations around diversity and inclusion, creating spaces where individuals feel seen, valued, and empowered. Through social media strategy, community engagement, and a podcast, they bring critical LGBTQIA+ issues and perspectives to the forefront.

As a professional speaker and advisor, she frequently delivers keynotes and leads discussions on EDI, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, and Gender Equity in business.

With a proven track record of delivering results in both corporate and public sectors, Tash supports organizations in achieving their EDI goals with tailored, actionable strategies that create lasting impact. Driven by a commitment to positive change.

Dr Shobana Nair Partington is the Head of Department for Operations, Technology, Events and Hospitality Management at Manchester Metropolitan University’s triple accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) Business School. She has strategic responsibility for over 2,000 students and 70 academic staff across a full range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes The role is wide reaching, having responsibility for student experience, learning and teaching, internationalisation, and the promotion of high-quality research and knowledge exchange. Shobana is a Senior Fellow of the Advance HE. She is a Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) Certified Management and Business Educator (CMBE) and a member of CABS Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee. She is passionate about driving changes not only in terms of student award gaps but also promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. She currently serves as the Academic Co-Chair for the Race Equality Charter at the university, where she works collaboratively with colleagues across the institution to champion inclusivity, spearhead meaningful change, and ensure the successful implementation of the Race Equality Charter.