WIMBIZ London Conference Challenges Women to Build Lasting Legacy Through Leadership, Innovation
Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has concluded its 4th London Conference, urging women to move beyond personal success and focus on building a lasting legacy through impactful leadership, innovation and service.
The conference, held on Friday at The Institution of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street, London, brought together global executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders from the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa and the diaspora to explore how leaders can create institutions, ideas and systems that endure across generations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the WIMBIZ Board of Trustees, Ebisan Akisanya, challenged women to live lives of purpose and influence, stressing that true legacy is measured not only by what people leave behind but by the positive impact they make on others.
Delivering the keynote address, WIMBIZ Co-Founder and Founder of The Chair Centre Group, Ibukun Awosika, echoed the theme, noting that legacy is defined less by personal achievements than by the number of lives transformed through one’s influence and leadership.
The conference featured a series of high-level panel discussions and fireside chats moderated by Juliana Olayinka, with speakers examining leadership, entrepreneurship, technology and career advancement.
The first plenary session focused on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of work, business and society. Panellists Bukky M. Babajide, Angela Castle, Quinty Smits and Andrew Olowude highlighted the need for individuals and organisations to intentionally embrace AI as a tool for driving inclusion, innovation and sustainable development.
A keynote fireside conversation between Julia Middleton and Will Anderson, MBE, explored leadership in an increasingly interconnected world, emphasizing that trust remains one of the most valuable assets of effective leadership while underscoring the critical role women play in building resilient institutions and relationships.
The second plenary session examined entrepreneurship as a pathway to lasting influence and economic empowerment. Speakers Judy Koloko, Amy Watson, Niamh White MBE and Kehinde Ogunba encouraged participants to establish businesses that create long-term value beyond financial returns.
Another fireside chat featuring Sarah Fadoul Boulos and Bimpe Nkontchou challenged traditional notions of inheritance, describing legacy as the opportunities, influence and success intentionally created in the lives of others.
The conference concluded with an engaging debate on career success involving Ijeoma Bassey, Rebecca Bryne, Aindrea Emelife, Nneka Wood and Modupeola Fadugba. The discussion examined the importance of visibility and competence, with participants agreeing that sustainable leadership requires a strategic blend of expertise and purposeful visibility.
In her closing remarks, WIMBIZ Executive Director, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, encouraged participants to translate the knowledge gained at the conference into practical actions in their personal and professional lives.
She also commended the planning committee and expressed appreciation to the conference sponsors, including Zenith Bank, Ajala Travels, FirstBank, Otas Holdings, Air Peace, Alpha Global, Flutterwave, Lifecard Group, Dr. Pure Joie and Orchid Butter Studio, for their support.
Participants described the conference as inspiring and impactful, praising the quality of discussions and the practical insights shared by speakers.
- WIMBIZ, a non-profit organisation with over 25 years of promoting women’s leadership, has built a global network of more than 4,000 accomplished women and has impacted over 367,000 women through leadership development, mentorship and advocacy programmes across the public and private sectors.