International Women’s Day celebrations at Global Mobility’s biggest gathering

Relocate Global’s ‘Think Women’ celebration at the Institute of Directors on Friday to mark International Women’s Day welcomed its highest-ever turnout, underlining the relevance of the movement’s message and call for collective action in Global Mobility, HR and Education.

Keynote speaker at Think Women 2020, Professor Vlatka Hlupic

Ruth Holmes

10 March 2020

Relocate Global has marked International Women’s Day since 2017, reflecting the publisher’s important remit of putting people at the heart of the global workforce.The Think Women event has grown each year in attendance and impact, underlining the increasing relevance of the people and inclusion agenda for Global Mobility, Talent Directors and HR, and the global movement’s wider momentum.With speakers this year from the HR, Global Mobility and aviation arenas, Friday’s Think Women event and year-round community are critical for giving women and men a voice – and being heard – in shaping and delivering a more gender-equal world in every aspect of public and professional life – including global mobility and cross-border careers.

Making a difference in global mobility – Think Women

The Relocate Global team welcomed over 70 guests to its third Think Women IWD celebration, sponsored by Mauve, to take stock and press for progress towards gender equality under this year’s theme of ‘Each for Equal’.HR, talent development teams and individuals regard international assignments as vital for achieving senior leadership positions. However, currently only around a quarter of globally mobile professionals – those who live and work overseas – are female.Relocate Global’s Think Women events and its supporting community are enabling more men and women to engage with the issues from an individual, professional and sectoral perspective, and to learn from and share with others.

Inclusion and equality for successful, people-focused business

“Our Think Women community connects personal stories to the bigger IWD picture and Relocate Global’s themes of employee support and wellbeing, sustainability and social responsibility, and global leadership,” explains managing editor, Fiona Murchie.“Inclusion and equality are all of our responsibility. The business benefits are proven, as both research and each of our four keynote speakers showed. They are breaking the mould in their own way, and helping others to build successful, people-focused business.”

Connecting personal stories with practical action

Co-founder of Mauve, a global workforce solutions provider and proud sponsor of the event, Ann Ellis shared the pivotal moments in her professional and personal life. Inspired as a child by actor Sophia Lauren in the film The Millionairess, Ann took the opportunity given by a move to Italy with her partner and young family to set up what is now a global business. In the process, she realised her childhood dream of owning a business and travelling the world. Mauve, based in 60 countries and serving 150 more, is now supporting companies to grow globally through its range of services.

Ideas to take away

Best-selling author, policy influencer and consultant Teresa Boughey brought these themes together in a workshop session to show how we can each make an impact and uplift each other. Ending the celebration on a high, Professor Vlatka Hlupic talked about the big shifts taking place in business and society, and how we as individuals and collectively can make change through the ripple effect.A key theme across the day was to feel the fear and do it anyway. Speaking to Relocate Global, Anna Fletcher of Heart Relocation explained what it took to set up her own company. Asked what advice she would give to others, she said, “Not to be afraid. Take the challenge.”Guests also appreciated the special opportunity within the Think Women community to hear experiences that have made this happen. “It’s nice to talk to people and share stories without pressure,” said HR consultant and Think Women guest, Susan Pearson.

Read inspiring stories about the Think Women speakers: