International Women’s Day 2025
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we asked the women of Platform Smart to share their thoughts on empowerment, helping us learn more about them while raising awareness for this important occasion.
By sharing their voices, we hope to celebrate the incredible women in our team and inspire others who read their stories.
This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, highlights the urgency of progress. At the current rate, it will take until 2158, five generations from now, to achieve full gender parity, according to the World Economic Forum. To change this, we must act with greater speed and determination, breaking down the barriers that hold women back in both their personal and professional lives.
Together, let’s Accelerate Action and drive change faster.
What advice would you give to young women starting their careers?
Be confident in your abilities, make your voice heard, ask valuable questions, and seek out mentors who can guide you. Don't let fear of failure stop you—every challenge is an opportunity to grow. It is good to fail at times, as failing enables you to learn and grow from it.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is: "Your voice matters—use it." Whether it’s speaking up for yourself, sharing your ideas, or advocating for others, never underestimate the power of your words and actions. If you don’t speak up at times, you will never be heard, so be confident in what you can bring to the table.
How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
I empower myself by continuously learning, knowing that I will never know everything, so continuing to learn and grow is important. I set ambitious goals, push myself out of my comfort zone at times, and surround myself with people who inspire me.
I empower other women (and my team) by mentoring, leading by example, being an advocate for their voices to be heard, and celebrating their achievements. Lifting each other up creates a stronger, more inclusive environment where we all thrive and succeed together.
Name a woman who inspires you and why. Alternatively, if you could trade places with any woman, who would it be and why?
A woman who inspires me is Lindsay, my manager. She leads by example, demonstrates exceptional leadership skills, and creates an environment where her team feels both supported and empowered. I admire her ability to approach challenges with composure and her commitment to helping others develop professionally. Working with her over the last three years has shown me what excellent leadership looks like, and I aspire to embody those qualities in my own career. I always say to her, "I would be very happy if I were half as good as you."
What advice would you give to young women starting their careers?
Be bold, ask questions, and never hesitate to seek clarity or guidance. Stay curious and resilient, and don’t let setbacks hold you back—determination is key to success. Always remain open to learning from those with years of experience.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received was from one of my lecturers. He said I should focus on progress rather than perfection. It taught me that growth comes from learning and improving over time.
Name a woman who inspires you and why. Alternatively, if you could trade places with any woman, who would it be and why?
I would have to say my mum. She had an incredible work ethic that she instilled in me. She worked very hard at her job and raised her family, which she primarily did on her own as my dad was poorly. She juggled full-time work, five children, and daily visits to the hospital. In her words, “You just get on with life.”
What advice would you give to young women starting their careers?
When my daughter started her first job, I told her to work hard, be polite and professional, and you’ll go far—and she has. She’s 31 years old, working in management, and owns her own house. I’m very proud of her.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
When I was 14, I worked in a fish and chip shop and was very shy and nervous when I started. The best piece of advice I ever received—and it has stuck with me to this day—was from a customer who said, “Smile, it goes a long way.” It totally changed my outlook on life.
What inspired you to pursue your current career?
I kind of fell into accounts. I was hired as an administrator initially and gradually moved into the accounts world. I have been in accounts now for about 20 years, and I love it.
What changes would you like to see in the future regarding women’s rights and representation?
I would like to see more women in senior leadership across all industries. It’s inspiring to see women in these positions driving real change in businesses, and I think it’s important to have role models like them to look up to.
Another change I would like to see is the creation of supportive workplaces where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed. I’m fortunate to work for a company like Platform Smart, where this is already the case, but I know it remains a challenge in many workplaces. Every woman should feel valued and empowered at work, just as I do every day.
What inspired you to pursue your current career?
Although I feel I am still at the start of my career and have much more to uncover and experience, I have always been certain that I wanted a creative career. I enjoy taking ideas and making them visually appealing. Having grown up in a highly digital age, social media has naturally been a significant part of my life. I see it as a powerful tool for keeping people well-informed, engaged, and inspired when used effectively, which is what led me to pursue my current career.
How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
I empower myself by surrounding myself with like-minded people who share similar goals and mindsets. Together, we motivate and inspire one another, which helps me stay empowered while also enabling me to do the same for other women.
Name a woman who inspires you and why. Alternatively, if you could trade places with any woman, who would it be and why?
A woman who truly inspires me is my nan. Her strength, kindness, and resilience have shaped who I am today. She’s lived through so much, always handling challenges with grace and never losing her sense of humour. Her wisdom and love have been a constant source of guidance for me, and I admire her ability to stay positive no matter what life throws her way. She has taught me the value of family, perseverance, and finding joy in the small things. I can only hope to live with the same strength and warmth she has shown me.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is to never be afraid of making mistakes because they’re often the best learning opportunities. It’s easy to be hesitant and worry about failure, but I’ve learned that mistakes help you grow and improve. Embracing them has made me more confident and willing to take risks, whether in my personal life or career. It’s a reminder that perfection isn’t the goal—progress is.
What inspired you to pursue your current career?
What inspired me to pursue my current career was the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, and a huge part of that was also the influence of my manager, Lindsay. Her passion for the work and her support has been a real driving force. She’s shown me how important it is to remain focused on the bigger picture while still paying attention to the details. Lindsay’s dedication to helping others grow and the way she handles challenges have motivated me to push myself further and aim for excellence in everything I do.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received
"You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward." It’s easy to feel like you need a perfect plan, but sometimes taking the next small step is all you need to do.
Advice for young women starting their careers
Believe in yourself even when you don’t feel 100% confident. No one has all the answers, but if you show up, keep learning, and back yourself, you’ll go further than you think. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help—everyone was new once.
How I empower myself and the women around me
I try to celebrate small wins, whether they’re my own or someone else’s. A little encouragement goes a long way, and sometimes all someone needs is to be reminded that they’re doing a great job.
What inspired you to pursue your current career?
Like many people, I would say I ‘fell’ into my career. What I enjoyed studying and what I found fulfilling in practice turned out to be quite different. While my roles have shared similar core responsibilities, I have worked across several industries. I believe the ideal career is one that plays to your natural strengths while also being something you enjoy and feel passionate about.
What advice would you give to young women starting their careers?
There is no rush—forge a path that feels right for you and do not feel pressured to follow the most common or expected route.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I believe the saying, "People will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel," is a powerful reminder, both in the workplace and in life. It applies to almost any situation, whether you are at the start of your career, mid-career, or approaching retirement. It truly emphasises the importance of how we treat others and the lasting positive impact this can have.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Get rid of your limiting beliefs. We all have self-doubt and negative beliefs based on past experiences, but are they still valid? Most of the time, they no longer reflect who we are or what we can achieve. So, let go of them and focus on what you can do, not what you think you can’t!
What advice would you give to young women starting their careers?
Trust yourself. Do not fear opportunities; they are there to help you grow and learn. Seek guidance from more experienced people, and never doubt that you deserve to be in the same room as those you admire. Your career is still developing, so push your boundaries to understand who you are and how to get where you want to be. Do not let mistakes discourage you. Learn from them so you can respond better next time you face a similar situation. Mistakes are not a bad thing; they help you develop and grow.
Name a woman who inspires you and why. Alternatively, if you could trade places with any woman, who would it be and why?
Malala Yousafzai – she was incredibly young but had the courage of her convictions to stand up for women's right to education. She survived being shot, physically putting her own life in danger to highlight the plight of women denied education under extreme regimes. She is also the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner. It is an incredible achievement to have shown such courage, resilience and influence at just 17 years old, driving change on a global scale.
What advice would you give to young women starting their careers?
Success in any career requires hard work, no matter the path you choose. Stay true to yourself and do not prioritise making others happy at your own expense. Celebrate your milestones and achievements for what they mean to you.
Sometimes your best is good enough and it should be. Companies are often quick to suggest otherwise, but do not let their demands undermine your confidence for the sake of their own interests.
Name a woman who inspires you and why. Alternatively, if you could trade places with any woman, who would it be and why?
Lindsay inspires me, above all for her pragmatism and honesty. Her deep understanding of what it means both to be a resource and to manage one sets her apart. As a senior manager in resource management, she embodies this awareness in everything she does.
Another person who inspires me is Tetiana. The fact that she has fully immersed herself in British life, language and culture, excelling in all aspects despite how unfamiliar it must have felt at first, is truly admirable.
Name a woman who inspires you and why. Alternatively, if you could trade places with any woman, who would it be and why?
Kate Middleton – She exudes grace and carries herself with confidence, even in the most stressful situations. I admire her values and the charitable work she does, particularly her focus on mental health. She is relatable and family-oriented, demonstrating that women can successfully balance both family and work without either being negatively affected.
What advice would you give to young women starting their careers?
Be resilient and develop a strong work ethic. Set clear goals for yourself and never give up, no matter the challenges you face.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
To work hard but also work smart.
What inspired you to pursue your current career?
I have always been passionate about helping people progress in their careers and supporting businesses in achieving their goals.
How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
I empower myself by continually learning, setting ambitious goals, and stepping out of my comfort zone. I also strive to support and encourage other women in achieving their goals.
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