Royal Holloway will be hosting its bi-annual Fawcett Lecture on 20 March, at Senate House, with guest speaker Jayne-Anne Gadhia CBE, CEO of Virgin Money.

This year’s Fawcett Lecture, named after Dame Millicent Fawcett, comes at an apt time with the centenary of the right for women to vote and worldwide discussion on gender pay gaps and equality for women in the workplace.

Jayne-Anne will discuss these issues and more in conversation with Professor Katie Normington, Royal Holloway’s Senior Vice Principal, during the event, ‘Break the mould; be yourself’.

Jayne-Anne, an alumna of Royal Holloway, has written powerfully about how being herself in a clique of old-boy culture has led not only to personal success, but change in an establishment known for tradition.

Jayne-Anne will reveal how using her own experiences as an often lone female and known ‘troublemaker’, has enabled her to empower others to develop, and have confidence in their passions, and personalities. She will share her view that, regardless of gender, background or race our most powerful asset is ourselves; our passions, values, experiences and individuality.

Jayne-Anne has broken the mould by refusing to be anything other than herself. In doing so she is a role model for anyone excited by making business better by being true to themselves.  

This theme resonates with Royal Holloway’s own motto, Esse quam videri, which means 'to be rather than to seem (to be)'.

Professor Katie Normington, Senior Vice Principal, Royal Holloway, said: “We’re very excited that alumna Jayne-Anne Gadhia is joining us as guest speaker for the 2018 Fawcett Lecture.

“In the year where we celebrate the centenary of the right for women to vote, the government’s Women in Finance champion, Jayne-Anne is perfectly placed to talk about her own professional experiences in an industry traditionally regarded as male-dominated.

“The event is free to all and anyone wishing to come along should book a ticket. The evening should prove to be very insightful.”

Jayne-Anne Gadhia CBE, Chief Executive Virgin Money, said: “I’m very excited to be speaking at Royal Holloway University’s Fawcett Lecture, especially during such an important year celebrating women’s voting rights and with a global audience ready to seriously listen about issues such as gender pay gaps and equality in the workplace.

“My own experience has taught me that the culture in an organisation is important and that each of us has the power to change it. Now is the time to celebrate where we have got things right and to change if it’s not working for all.

“I hope that in this discussion, we focus on how people, regardless of gender, background or race, are our most powerful asset.  That what is important, ultimately, is to be true to yourself; your passions, values, experiences and individuality.”

To can book tickets  or find out more about the event here.

The talk will be held at Beveridge Hall, University of London, Senate House, Malet Street, London.