This International Women’s Day, we sat down with our CEO, Catharine Brown to find out how she uses her leadership to empower other women.

“True leadership is about more than just forging ahead – it’s about bringing others with you on the journey. Supporting women in their careers is more than setting an example; it’s about helping them find their voice, build confidence, and take their rightful place at the table.

I do this in different ways – through formal mentoring, informal advice, and by creating opportunities for talent to grow. I currently mentor a charity chief executive in the armed forces sector – an environment very different from the charities I’ve led. My role is to help her develop an authentic leadership style that works within her organisation’s culture. Unofficially, I’m always eager to support women I know with advice, whether that’s helping a senior manager balance career ambitions with family life or simply being a sounding board.

For me, mentoring isn’t just about structured sessions – it’s about passing on experience. I’ve been a leader for a long time, and I know how valuable it is to share experiences with someone who’s been through similar challenges. Feeling underconfident or out of your depth isn’t a weakness – it’s a reality for most people stepping into leadership, regardless of gender. I go out of my way to support women who struggle with confidence or imposter syndrome, helping them to push themselves forward. Leadership comes with a degree of power, and I see it as my responsibility to share that power by creating opportunities for others.

I believe in leading with honesty. I’m open about what I don’t know and where I need to learn, and I encourage my team to do the same. No one has all the answers, and real confidence comes from knowing when to ask for help. Careers are rarely a straight path. Most of us take unexpected turns, change direction, and rethink our priorities. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself. I never imagined I’d be in this role, but by staying open to opportunities, I’ve been able to grow in ways I never expected.

Empowering others isn’t about grand gestures – it’s about creating an environment where people feel supported, valued, and able to take on new challenges with confidence. That’s the kind of leadership I believe in.”