It is our pleasure to highlight our members’ contributions to The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) International Women’s Day Hub. Aligned with the Give to Gain principle, the hub showcases how supporting women in business isn’t just the right thing to do — it strengthens organisations, communities, and the economy as a whole. By giving time, opportunity, advocacy and investment, businesses gain innovation, resilience, talent, and long-term growth.
Marina Bidoli is a BCCI Councillor and Brunswick Group Partner. Based in Milan, she formerly headed Brunswick’s Johannesburg office.
Business leaders have a responsibility to be a force for good. Having led teams in South Africa and Europe, I’ve learned that while we may face the same storm, we are not in the same boat. Talent is universal; opportunity is not. That gap is a human failing and a strategic risk.
People don’t leave for lack of ambition; they disengage when systems constrain them. Inclusive cultures unlock everyone’s potential, enabling talent to thrive.
This matters even more as AI reshapes decision-making, and the cost of homogeneity rises. Algorithms amplify their designers’ perspectives. Blind spots scale. The women codebreakers at Bletchley Park proved that overlooked talent can change history.
Inclusion is a competitive advantage: investing in women strengthens leadership, sharpens judgment, and builds resilient businesses and economies.
The global female population represents nearly 50% of humanity, yet more than 90% of CEOs are men. While recognising the valuable differences between the sexes, I firmly believe that the world would be a better place if societies were organised in ways that allow women to take leadership opportunities and contribute fully at the highest levels.
I am the CEO of Property International, a successful real estate company that has been based in Milan for many years. With only one exception, my staff have always been women: mothers, mothers-in-law, daughters, wives, and yes, even dog owners.
The reality is that most women face difficult compromises. I deeply admire those who make significant sacrifices, whether by dedicating themselves to their families during the early years of their children’s lives, or by relying on others to care for their children or elderly parents so they can pursue their careers. These are not easy decisions, and they require strength, courage, and resilience.
Through my experience, I have learned that when women take on leadership opportunities and feel supported in managing the realities of their lives beyond the office, they respond with exceptional loyalty, professionalism, and dedication. In my view, this mutual trust and respect is the greatest asset any company can have.
Creating environments where women can step forward and lead is not simply a matter of fairness — it is a matter of building stronger, more effective organisations and, ultimately, a better society.
“Read to Be Happy” invited students of all ages to explore literacy through a reading project that celebrated female empowerment.
Blending Social Emotional Learning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it nurtured empathy, confidence, and global awareness.
Using Pearson Graded Readers, learners strengthened language skills while engaging with inspiring stories that highlight resilience, courage, and the joy of reading.
The reading project was organized by Donatella Fitzgerald MBE and Anna Aimetti in Pearson Italy
As the founder and CEO of LM School Uniforms, promoting gender equality is something I live and lead every day. When I started the company, I understood first-hand the pressures women face in business — particularly balancing leadership with family life. I was determined to create a workplace where women would not have to choose between ambition and responsibility.
Today, our team is predominantly female, and I am proud to foster an environment built on respect, flexibility, and fairness. We support working parents and carers through flexible working arrangements and understanding leadership. I am firmly committed to equal pay, transparent progression, and ensuring that opportunities are based on ability and drive — not gender.
For me, “Give to Gain” means creating space for women to thrive. When women feel supported and valued at work, the benefits ripple far beyond the business into families and the wider community.
Rentokil Initial Italy embraces the 2026 theme ‘Give to Gain,’ integrating gender equality at every level of its operations. From leadership pathways to courses dedicated to parenthood, we work to break down prejudices and promote an equitable professional landscape. We actively support our female talent through targeted training and solid parental support initiatives, ensuring that professional growth and family life can thrive together. Our culture is based on the belief that by investing in female empowerment and inclusive policies, the entire corporate ecosystem benefits. Through constant cultural change and transparent actions, we contribute to a future where leadership is diverse and success is accessible to all. We don’t just limit ourselves to supporting equality; we practice it daily to achieve a stronger, more inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to lead.