Cambridge, London and Oxford business schools align for gender parity

A joint event in London on Wednesday, June 18 – ‘Women, Leadership and the Executive MBA: Breaking Barriers – Real Journeys, Real Impact’ – aims to inspire women to see an Executive MBA (EMBA) as a transformational step in their careers across business, government and beyond. Registration for the event is still open.

This collaboration is designed to increase female representation on EMBA programmes, to accelerate gender parity at all levels of leadership.

“It sends a powerful signal that four of the world’s leading business schools are joining forces to empower more women to pursue an Executive MBA,” says keynote speaker Dr Monica Wirz, Fellow at Cambridge Judge Business School and a leading voice on gender and leadership.

“Gender parity in business education can – and should – translate into more women in boardrooms and C-suites. This initiative is both timely and necessary.”

The event reflects the four business schools’ shared mission to break down the structural and personal barriers that women may face – whether that’s the lack of sponsorship, the old boys' club, imposter syndrome, time pressures or financial constraints.

Currently, women comprise around 42 per cent of Executive MBA cohorts across the four schools. This initiative aims to push that number higher – because increasing representation is only the first step to transforming leadership at scale.

In a joint statement, the schools noted: “Through this collaboration, we aim to inspire the next generation of female leaders who will drive meaningful change in business and society. This event is about more than education; it's about creating aspirational role models, championing leadership from within, fixing the broken ladder and raising, if not breaking, the glass ceiling.”

The event is hosted this year by London Business School, in partnership with the Advent Group, global experts in business education who share a commitment to advancing women in leadership and a belief that diverse voices at the top are vital to building more inclusive and innovative organisations. The four business schools plan to rotate the event between them in subsequent years as part of a series of events designed to forge systemic change.

The keynote from Dr Wirz will be followed by a panel featuring Executive MBA alumnae from each school. These accomplished women will share personal stories of challenge and success – offering candid insights into how the EMBA shaped their leadership paths. The event will conclude with a networking reception, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue, connection, and inspiration.

Although women hold 43 per cent of board positions and 35 per cent of senior leadership roles in FTSE 350 companies, only 19 of those firms are led by female CEOs, according to the 2024 FTSE Women Leaders Review.

In response, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated: “We must break down the barriers that stop many women from reaching decision-making roles.” This event directly addresses that challenge – by encouraging more women to pursue the kind of advanced education that leads to meaningful, measurable leadership change.