Last night, Five Talents had the pleasure of co-hosting an International Women’s Day gathering with the Women in Finance Group at the House of Lords.
We were hosted by Baroness Sue Garden of Frognal, who opened the evening with thoughtful reflections on her experience as a woman in Parliament. She spoke honestly about what it’s like to work in a space that hasn’t always been built with women in mind, and what it takes to stay, contribute, and lead anyway. It was a fitting start to an evening that invited reflection and connection.
Around 50 women joined us, and there was something quietly powerful in simply being together. It was a space where shared experiences didn’t need to be explained, and where people could feel both seen and encouraged. At Five Talents, our work so often centres around women and their individual journeys, so a room of women felt inspiring.
Anu from Women in Finance welcomed everyone and spoke about the importance of gathering like this – not just to celebrate progress, but to be honest about the barriers that still exist.
Our keynote speaker, Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, brought a perspective that stayed with many of us long after the evening ended. She shared her journey as an elite swimmer, growing up in Kenya swimming in Lake Victoria before ever stepping foot in a pool at 13. It was only when she moved to the UK that she encountered the stereotype that black people don’t swim; something that simply didn’t reflect her reality growing up.
She spoke about the experience of being the only one in the room – or the pool – who looked like her, and the weight that can carry. Not just the pressure to perform, but the quieter burden of representation. Despite reaching world number one in her sport, she stepped away before the Olympics; a decision made to address the deeper pressures often hidden behind success.
What stood out most, though, was her reflection on responsibility. The idea that when you are in the room, it’s not just about you, it’s about who else might come after. About holding the door open — and sometimes actively pulling others through it.
That idea felt particularly close to the heart of Five Talents. Much of our work is rooted in creating opportunities for women to grow in confidence and step into spaces they may previously have been excluded from. That could mean starting a business, taking on leadership in their community, or finding the confidence to have their voice heard. Just as importantly, we want to ensure that these opportunities extend beyond the individual, creating a ripple effect that reaches out into the wider community.
Throughout the evening, there was a shared understanding in the room — that many, in different ways, have experienced being on the margins. And that change doesn’t happen by accident, but it happens when people choose to challenge what they are used to seeing, and encourage others to do the same.
The evening was shaped by honest conversation and shared experience, but served as a reminder of the value of making space for people to come together – to encourage one another, to listen, to reflect and to harness the power of what we have to create room for others.
A huge thank you to Baroness Susan Garden of Frognal, Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell and Women in Finance Group for a wonderfully inspiring evening.
If you would like to find out more about Five Talents future events, visit our events page to see what is coming up, and sign up to our newsletter to be the first to find out.