Wonder Women Live! returns this March with an expanded offering taking in Manchester for the first time and Quay Street Productions’ Nicola Shindler confirmed to speak at the Manchester leg .
Two events – one in London and the Manchester debut – will celebrate International Women’s Day. The events will showcase trailblazing senior female leaders, offering a platform for thought-provoking discussion, powerful keynote speakers, and invaluable networking opportunities.
Now in its 8th year, Wonder Women Live! is hosted by Wonder Women CIC, the women’s network dedicated to elevating diverse women into senior leadership roles within television and the creative industries.
Industry leaders confirmed across the two events include BAFTA-winning executive producer and Quay Street Productions chief executive, Nicola Shindler (Fool Me Once, Missing You, Happy Valley), executive producer and the first female BBC One Controller, Lorraine Heggessey, Emmy-nominated executive producer and founder of Greenacre Films, Nadine Marsh-Edwards (Riches, Unsaid Stories), Banijay’s Head of Branded Entertainment Business Development, Carlotta Rossi Spencer, and Television and Radio presenter, Angellica Bell.
Compèred by Television Presenter Ria Hebden, who is also the founder and CEO of Wonder Women, the annual women’s networking event brings together 100 diverse women from the television and creative industries. The event serves as a powerful platform to hear from inspirational industry leaders while fostering a supportive and dynamic networking environment. It offers a unique opportunity for participants to share their experiences, discuss key issues affecting women’s advancement in the workplace, and connect with one another in a safe, empowering space. Through candid conversations and structured networking, attendees gain valuable insights and build lasting relationships, fostering collaboration, and boosting social mobility and employability within the sector.
The Manchester event takes place at The Coronation Street Experience, on Thursday 6th March, while the London event takes place at The Westworks, White City Place on Wednesday 5th March.
The Manchester event will feature Nicola Shindler, executive producer and chief executive, Quay Street Productions, with further speakers for both events to be announced. Wonder Women Live! 2025 tickets are available at Eventbrite.
Ria Hebden, founder & CEO, Wonder Women, said: “As someone raised in the north, I’m proud to be delivering our first-ever Wonder Women Live event in Manchester. Thanks to our incredible partners at the BFI and ITV, we’ll be bringing together some of the industry’s top northern talent to celebrate the collective power of women in TV on International Women’s Day. Our inspirational events offer a unique, immersive experience like no other which creates a positive, safe space for women to honour their achievements whilst also reflecting on life-learnt lessons of overcoming challenges. It is vital for us to expand our offering beyond London and invest in the regions.
“By creating employment and networking opportunities to elevate and connect people, whilst also showcasing the incredible women who have persevered and are making lasting change in the industry, we aim to elevate northern talent and continue to drive meaningful change even in the face of economic, technological, and DE&I challenges. As we know, women from underrepresented groups are at the highest risk of leaving the industry in the current climate. By holding our event in Manchester, we mark an important milestone that highlights our commitment to supporting talent in the North.”
Founded in 2017 by television presenter Ria Hebden, Wonder Women was created to address the industry’s need for a diverse and supportive community for women from underrepresented and marginalised groups.
The initiative was designed to share the collective wisdom of experienced women in television and the creative industries while empowering the next generation of diverse, female leaders. Wonder Women’s vision is to inspire, connect, and uplift women from all backgrounds and identities, through an intersectional approach that fosters both professional and personal growth.
The mission is realised through a variety of impactful activities, including the annual Wonder Women Live! and Wonder Women Conference events, the inspiring Wonder Women TV podcast, the monthly Wonder Women Power Hour online sessions, a nationwide year-long Wonder Women Mentoring Programme, and the newly launched Wonder Women Membership.
Wonder Women is a Community Interest Company (CIC), steered by an exceptional advisory board of female leaders: Various Artists Limited senior production accountant Nicole Marie Joseph, Orchard Studios MD Nicola Hill, systemic leadership coach Remi Olajoyegbe, legal counsel Hayley Brady from Herbert Smith Freehills and Anne-Marie Douglas, founder & co-CEO of Peer Power Youth.
