R&A to host women’s leadership summit

The R&A will host a women’s leadership summit ahead of the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns, near St Andrews.

A group of 21 women from the worlds of business, finance, sport, education and the media will meet in the clubhouse of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. The summit, conceived and organised by Sky Golf presenter and businesswoman, Sarah Stirk, is designed as a pathfinder for a larger event next year.

Keynote sessions on the art of confidence and the perception of ambition, the rise of female representation in the boardroom and what sport must learn from business for a sustainable future will be debated and will help shape the agenda for the summit planned for 2018.

Session leaders include Caroline Hyde, Bloomberg Technology news anchor, Dr Bridget McConnell CBE, Glasgow Life Chief Executive, and Jane Booth, Head of Research at Women Ahead.

Sarah Stirk said, “Major sport has the power to bring people together from all walks of life. It takes them out of the workplace and provides an inspiring forum for debate for those who occupy leadership positions in their own organisations. Our aim this week is to move forward with an equality and diversity agenda for a full-scale summit in 12 months’ time at the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes.”

The summit is supported by The R&A and Ricoh Europe PLC. The R&A merged with the Ladies’ Golf Union on 1 January 2017 and now has responsibility for running a series of elite women’s amateur championships and international matches as well as supporting the development of women’s and girls’ golf around the world.