Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony

The TechWomen4Boards Anniversary Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony took place on 1st October 2025 at the prestigious Caledonian Club in Belgravia, marking a truly unforgettable evening of celebration, inspiration, and global connection.

The black-tie event brought together leaders from across the corporate, government, and technology sectors, along with ambassadors, dignitaries, and the Baroness, whose presence added distinction and prestige to the occasion.

An Evening of Celebration and Insight

Guests were welcomed with a glass of prosecco before enjoying a three-course dinner accompanied by fine wine, as conversations flowed among international guests, executives, and innovators. The evening was generously supported by the University of Essex.

The Gala featured a captivating keynote by Professor Maria Fasli, the first UNESCO Chair in Data Science and Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Essex. Her address offered groundbreaking insights into the transformative role of technology and leadership in shaping the future.

The evening’s panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Ruth Wandhöfer, Head of European Markets at Blackwired, explored the critical theme:

“AI & Women’s Security: Risks, Biases, and Opportunities for Protection.”

The distinguished panel included Sabika Ishaq (CISO, Grant Thornton Luxembourg), Claire Harrison (Future DBT Digital Director, Department for Business & Trade), and Monica Sasso (Global Financial Services Digital Transformation Lead, RedHat). Together, they shared thought-provoking perspectives on advancing women’s safety, empowerment, and inclusion in the age of AI.

Leadership Awards Ceremony

The evening culminated with the TechWomen4Boards Leadership Awards, celebrating exceptional women driving change, innovation, and governance excellence.

Awards were presented in five key categories:

• Governance Excellence (Portfolio Board Director)
• Transformational Leadership (Change-Maker)
• Industry-Specific Innovation (Emerging Industries)
• Policy and Advocacy Work (Senior Executive Women in Advocacy)
• Rising Talent (Up-and-Coming Female Leader)

The judging panel featured an esteemed group of international leaders, including:

• Alderman Professor Emma Edhem, City of London Corporation,
• H.E. Lujaina Mohsin Darwish, Foreign Ministry of Oman,
• Hedwige Nuyens, Chair, European Women on Boards,
• Marili Anderson, Managing Director, Head of UK Compliance, Rabobank,
• Andreas Galatoulas, Data, Analytics & AI Director, AECOM, and
• Biyi Oloko, Chairman, Stephen Simeon Limited.

Distinguished Guests and Diplomats

This year’s celebration was further enriched by the attendance of the Deputy Ambassador of Croatia, the Ambassador of North Macedonia and the Baroness Uddine, who joined in recognising the achievements of women leaders shaping technology and governance across industries. Their presence reflected the growing international recognition of TechWomen4Boards’ mission to empower women in boardrooms and leadership roles.

A Night to Remember

The Gala Dinner was not only an evening of glamour but also a powerful reminder of the collective commitment to gender equity, innovation, and ethical leadership in the digital age.

The TechWomen4Boards Committee extends heartfelt thanks to all partners, sponsors, speakers, and guests who made this event such a remarkable success.