In today’s business environment, defined by rapid change, economic uncertainty, and shifting workplace expectations, resilience and leadership are not optional qualities. They are the foundations upon which sustainable organisations are built.
It was against this backdrop that Aldermore hosted its first ‘Women In’ networking event last week, in partnership with the Women of the Year Awards. As headline sponsors of the Awards for the third consecutive year, Aldermore is proud to support an initiative that celebrates trailblazing women across the UK who are breaking barriers and redefining leadership.
The networking event, set against the iconic skyline from the top of London’s Gherkin, brought together business leaders from across industries to share their experiences and reflect on how businesses can adapt, persevere, and thrive in a changing world.
The centrepiece of the afternoon was a panel discussion on “Women in business: resilience and leadership in a changing world”, chaired by Aldermore’s Chief People and Communications Officer, Lisa Hannah.
Our panel of distinguished speakers shared their lived experiences; stories that not only inspired but also offered pragmatic lessons for business leaders:
“In times of uncertainty, small business leaders can stay resilient by focusing on adaptability, clarity, and people. Embrace change as an opportunity rather than a setback, and stay close to your customers so you can quickly respond to their evolving needs. Build a strong network of peers, mentors, and partners who can offer support and fresh perspectives.
“Keep your team engaged and motivated by communicating openly and empowering them to contribute to solutions. Most importantly, maintain a clear vision of your goals while staying flexible in how you achieve them; resilience comes from balancing stability with agility.
“Always remember that the only person who knows your script is you, so if it doesn’t quite go as planned, it’s an opportunity to make changes to ensure future sustainability.”
“Resilience is not the fact that we don’t go through challenges or disruptions, it’s how quickly we bounce back. As a business owner I’m always going through a number of different scenarios: if this happens, what do I do, and what is my reaction to that. And it’s so important that we do that in everything we do in our lives.”
“All businesses and leaders face challenges. How you deal with them is so important. See them as opportunities. What can you improve or learn as a result of them? Be bold and brave, and never shy to ask for you want.”
• Philippa Dempster, Senior Partner at Freeths LLP, shared a practical framework for resilient leadership, which she described as the ‘ACE’ up your sleeve, focusing on analysing, communication and leading with empathy:
“Analyse – gather all the information that is relevant, or as much as you can to analyse the situation and scenario plan. Communicate with key stakeholders and those that need to know. Use Empathy to think about who you need to influence and communicate with, and how they are feeling and what’s important to them, to bring them with you.
“Follow your dream; you will receive knock backs, that’s just life. It’s how you respond that matters.”
While each speaker’s journey was unique, several common themes emerged, insights that all businesses can apply as they look to the future:
At Aldermore, we believe resilience is built not just through mindset, but through access to the right tools and financial support. We are committed to backing UK businesses as they navigate change, seize new opportunities, and unlock growth. Whether it’s through flexible finance or smarter savings solutions, our goal is to help businesses do more, achieve more, and thrive for the long term.
Find out more about our Business Savings and Business Finance options today.