reat British Bake-Off host celebrates International Women’s Day at Belfast leadership event
Renowned restaurateur, food writer, entrepreneur and television presenter, Dame Prue Leith CBE, gave the headline address at the 2026 Women’s Leadership Conference, held annually by the IoD NI.
Best known for her role as a judge on Channel 4 hit, The Great British Bake Off, Prue has enjoyed a stellar career, spanning more than five decades, and shared her experiences of leadership along insights on how to build a successful brand with the audience which included over 570 business leaders, founders and entrepreneurs.
The flagship event, which brings together leaders from across business, media and the political world, took place in Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel on Friday 6th March 2026 and saw legal firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer return as the principal sponsor and also included support from NIE Networks, Cathedral Eye Clinic, The Irish News, Henry Brothers, KPMG, Translink and SONI.
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Sharing the bill with Dame Prue Leith was technology expert, Renee Hunt who most recently served as Chief Technology Officer at Compare the Market and is a trustee of the Institute of Directors. And Dr Jo Salter MBE who made history as Britain’s first female fighter jet pilot in 1992 before going on to have a lucrative career in business with PwC where she was Director of Global Transformative Leadership and Global Advisory Lead for GenAI.
Other speakers at the event included local podcaster, content creator and women’s health advocate, Olivia McVeigh, Dr. Theresa Donaldson, Chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Emma Morris, Director of Operations at SONI, Judith Totten MBE, Majority Shareholder & CEO of Upstream ABL and Priscilla Rooney, Group General Counsel & Company Secretary at Translink.
Reflecting on the annual event, Kirsty McManus, Director of Professional Development Services & National Director at IoD Northern Ireland, said:
“We were thrilled to welcome Dame Prue Leith as our headline speaker for the 2026 Women’s Leadership Conference. As always, the event is about showcasing inspiring journeys and providing a platform for women in leadership to connect and it was great to see Prue connect so well with our audience as she shared her experiences which resonated far beyond the world of food.
“Thanks to all of our sponsors who supported us in delivering this event, the speakers who took to the stage and of course our host, Susan Hayes Culleton, who always brings so much energy to this event.”
Lisa McLaughlin, Managing Partner of the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer's Belfast Office, principal sponsor of the conference, said:
“Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is proud to be at the helm of this wonderful event once again and to support the IoD in delivering its flagship conference.
The event continues to play a vital role in championing diversity and the importance of inclusion across Northern Ireland. It was fantastic to meet and engage with the inspirational speakers, delegates and associates at today's conference."
One of the highlights of the conference was the annual pitch competition which sees five early-stage founders deliver a live business pitch on stage. This year, the audience voted Yasmin Geddis, CEO of the Zachary Geddis Trust as the overall winner and Yasmin will use her prize money to continue her work around mental health care and suicide prevention.
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A charity prize draw was held during the event which raised over £7,000 and will be given directly to the Women’s Aid Federation, the lead voluntary organisation in Northern Ireland addressing domestic abuse and providing services for women and children.
The 2027 IoD NI Women’s Leadership Conference will take place on Friday 5th March 2027.
To learn more about the event and view photographs and videos from the event, visit www.iod.com/events
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