Women's Executive Network Launches in the UK

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - July 14, 2015) - Women's Executive Network (WXN), founded by Pamela Jeffery in Canada in 1997 and in Ireland in 2008, is well known for their innovative approach to supporting female leaders in business, government and the charitable sectors. WXN announced today they are launching in the UK this fall, the next step in expanding their global community which currently numbers 19,500 women who enjoy WXN-style networking, mentoring, professional and personal development.

"Women and organisations who are WXN members tell us that for almost 20 years, WXN has been inspiring smart women to lead. By working to promote gender diversity in all levels of leadership, board governance and compensation, we have had a measurable impact. We inform, inspire, connect and spotlight women who, in the words of one male executive at a member organisation, are 'ridiculously talented,'" says WXN Founder Pamela Jeffery.

WXN works with 100+ organisations to support the advancement of women into senior management and executive roles. In London, WXN has secured significant corporate partners: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and media partner The Guardian: Women in Leadership. WXN is proud to be working in collaboration with the Institute of Directors (IoD).

On 28 September, 2015, WXN will host their inaugural Speaker Series event at the Institute of Directors in London, featuring long-standing WXN member Moya Greene, CEO of Royal Mail as the inspiring keynote speaker. The first of four events in this Series, WXN will provide a view on the latest in global leadership trends and current issues facing female-and male-leaders.

WXN has secured an impressive line-up of London Honorary Advisory Board Members:

• Helen Brand OBE, Chief Executive, ACCA
• Lady Barbara Judge CBE, Chairman, Institute of Directors
• Harry Samuel, CEO, RBC Investor & Treasury Services; Chairman, European Executive Committee
• Susan Vinnicombe OBE, Professor of Women and Leadership, Cranfield University School of Management; Director, International Centre for Women Leaders
• Dame Fiona Woolf DBE, Partner, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP

"Over recent years, progress has been made of women securing leadership positions in business, however there is still an extremely long way to go. In the UK, women now account for 23.5% of overall board directorships¹ which is better than in many other countries but there is still much room for improvement," says WXN Founder Pamela Jeffery.

"We are hoping the launch of WXN in the UK will further help to raise the profile of issues such as gender diversity in all levels of leadership, board governance and compensation. However, we also believe in a bottom-up approach; equipping women to take charge of their careers, aspire to leadership and, when they succeed, inspire other women to follow. In short, we want to inspire smart women to lead. We have been overwhelmed by the level of support we have received for the launch of WXN in the UK from prospective members, advisory board members and corporate partners."

WXN's sister organisation, the Canadian Board Diversity Council (CBDC), is the leading Canadian organisation advancing diversity on Canada's boards. The CBDC has helped Canadian board diversity reach 20.1% on TSX60 boards and 17.1% FP500 boards. WXN complements the efforts of the 30% Club by growing and supporting the pipeline of high potential professional women to reshape diversity in the boardroom and at the executive level.

¹The Female FTSE Board Report 2015, Cranfield University School of Management, March 2015

About the Women's Executive Network (WXN)
At WXN, we inspire smart women to lead. WXN creates and delivers innovative networking, mentoring, professional and personal development to inform, inspire, connect and recognize our community of 19,500 smart women and their organisations in the pursuit of excellence. Many of our 100+ Partners and Corporate Member organisations are global brands and WXN enables them to become and to be recognized as employers of choice and leaders in the advancement of women.

Founded in 1997, WXN is Canada's leading organisation dedicated to the advancement and recognition of women in management, executive, professional and board roles. In the fall of 2008, WXN launched in Ireland, a first step in creating an international community of female leaders. Women who are members of WXN are qualified. Members require a minimum six years full-time experience in a senior role; a minimum annual personal income; and post-secondary education.

As individuals, we can inspire and be inspired. To our community of members and partners, we thank you for inspiring WXN to lead.

More information and details are available at wxnetwork.co.uk