International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women in Leadership Roles

International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women in Leadership Roles 

8th March is just around the corner, so what better way to kick off your International Women’s Day celebrations than to hear direct from some female powerhouses!  

To mark the occasion this year, we spoke to some of the women in leadership roles at Parasol to find out what they love most about their job, what they find challenging, and the steps that led them to where they are in their careers today. 

What is your favourite part about your job? 

Kristy Sharratt, Head of Talent Acquisition 

“The joy of my role is that I am lucky enough to work with all areas of the business. I work with the stakeholders on a daily basis and am consistently learning about our business. I meet lots of fantastic people and have the privilege of introducing them to the company and watching their careers grow.” 

Katie Wild, Accountancy Academy Manager 

“I’ve really enjoyed planning and working alongside other departments in the set up and roll out of our apprenticeship scheme. It’s been a great opportunity to train and nurture our next generation of Accountants, whilst also working with our new Team Leaders. Seeing Cohort 1 graduate into their new Operations Team this month has been particularly rewarding, as well as seeing some amazing exam results across the whole of the Academy. Along with the Team Leaders, we’ve built a great culture and work ethic. Overall, the thing I love most about what I do is seeing others doing so well.” 

Patricia Pereira Agudo, Accountancy Manager 

“My role is fast paced which is something I love when at work. It's really satisfying to work around and support people interested in doing their best and growing in their careers. When you care for people, supporting their efforts and helping them to succeed is a privilege! 

I also love some competition so seeing my team perform at a high level makes me so happy and proud. Knowing we are playing a part in providing a great service to our clients and helping the business grow is really rewarding.” 

Vic Hulse, Head of Learning & Development 

“Coaching, mentoring, and training is my passion, and there is a great satisfaction that comes from helping team members develop their skills. The diversity within my role - managing our apprenticeship partnerships, designing and delivering training, and working alongside my team to ensure we are always evolving our offerings through new methodologies - makes every day a school day.” 

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in a male-dominated space and how did you overcome them? 


Andrea Millington, Head of IT 

“My biggest challenge has been Imposter Syndrome and being in a minority within the team, which has led to my own self-doubt and feeling the need to prove myself more than my male counterparts. I have worked hard to challenge my self-doubts and recognise my success and the contribution I can make to the team. A high performing team needs a variety of skills and strengths, and I believe I can offer a range of differing skills within our team.” 

What’s something people don’t know/would surprise them about your role? 


Helen Pedder, Director of HR  

 
“HR is about more than policies – it’s about people, relationships and creating a workplace where people can thrive.  People are the most important and valued part of a business, their skills, dedication and engagement directly impact the success of the business. By focusing on employee development and wellbeing, businesses can create a strong foundation for growth and performance, ultimately driving long-term results, which I find extremely rewarding.  

The HR field is constantly evolving keeping me driven and always learning. Life in HR is never dull, and every day brings a new challenge which means the role continues to be dynamic and engaging. Working in partnership with the leaders across the business to drive success and foster a positive working environment is a key aspect of my role which I enjoy.” 

How does your gender influence your leadership style? 

Andrea Millington, Head of IT 

“I believe female leaders have open minds to identify potential for improvement and the ability to adapt quickly and change. They listen to and appreciate knowledge and input from others, and they treat others the way they want to be treated. 

My role as Head of IT has given me the opportunity to use those skills to work closely with many people. I have been able to recognize the strengths of others by listening to their views, identifying their skills and ensuring they are utilised to drive change within the business, as well as for their self-fulfilment and career development. 

I work hard to help implement new technical solutions and processes in an organised and considered manner to ensure our business goals are met. I believe I now have a stronger voice to drive these changes and, due to my considered approach, am able to do this.” 

Are you happy in the role and career path you’ve carved out for yourself? 

Louise Alemanno, National Account Director 

“I have been a National Account Director since returning to Parasol in 2023, after previously working for the company from 2016 to 2022. I love this job as I absolutely adore meeting new people and making friends along the way, both internally and externally to the business. After 9 years in the industry, I've met a lot of people!” 

Natalie Grundy, Client Relationship Manager & Team Leader 

“Walking through Parasol doors eight years ago, I knew I had found my pack! Parasol truly lives by its company values and believes that the people are the soul of the business and key to our success! These values I carry into my team leader role. My passion is mentoring, getting to know what makes people tick and watching them grow! Fun is the foundation of my mentoring. I find my team perform better when they are relaxed and enjoying themselves!” 

Any advice for the next generation of women when it comes to choosing their career path? 

Leanne Bates, Marketing Manager 

“Call me biased, but I think marketing can be a really rewarding career path for many young women as it offers real opportunities to be creative, build brands, solve problems, and achieve real, tangible results.  

I’ve been here for 7 months now supporting the team across the whole marketing mix – strategy development, socials, email, digital, PR and sales enablement. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know and collaborating with our very talented marketing team, as well as working closely with other teams and stakeholders across the business.” 

Andrea Millington, Head of IT 

“Do not initially pigeonhole yourself to one area, there are varied and interesting paths that can be taken. Take time to learn about all aspects of technology, identify exactly what is of interest and then do not be scared to express that interest to your peers and manager and follow that path by identifying resources and mentors who can support the journey. 
  

The biggest thing is to be confident in your perspective, skills and talent and to remember that all voices and contributions are invaluable.” 

Final Thoughts 

At Parasol, we’re incredibly proud to have so many brilliant women in leadership roles who have been willing to share their career insight and journeys. While International Women’s Day is a time for celebration, uplifting, and appreciating the women in your life, it’s also a timely reminder to reflect on how much work is still to be done to achieve gender equality in the workplace. We hope this blog is a starting point for that conversation.
 

And if you’re reading this as one of the next generation of women, we hope it gives you the boost you might need to keep taking up space and demanding a seat at the table! Your chosen industry is waiting for you to make your mark.