International Women’s Day 2026

Every year, International Women’s Day invites us to imagine a “gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive.” It’s always bittersweet – at once showing us how far we have come, yet how far we still must travel.

Glass ceilings are being smashed all the time, for example, Blaise Metreweli has just been announced as the first ever female Chief of MI6.¹ Yet this appointment is headline worthy precisely because it has taken so long. Meanwhile, more FTSE 350 companies are led by CEOs called Andrew or John than by women.²

The gender pay gap is closing gradually, based on 2025 figures. However, men in full-time employment still earn more than women in full-time employment in all major occupation groups.³

Meanwhile, the gender pension gap is actually growing, now reaching 32%, with the average woman on track to receive an annual retirement income of £13,000, compared to men’s £19,000.⁴ This reflects not just the impact of the pay gap, but also the unpaid work undertaken by women, for example caring for children or elderly parents, that reduces the amount invested into a pension.

Alongside the gender pay gap and the pensions gap is the investment gap. Research by BNY Mellon shows that only 28% of women feel confident about investing their money, and 45% feel the stock market is too risky for them.⁵ In fact, investing is more important for women, who typically earn less but live longer, so need to make every penny work hard.

At Holden & Partners, we seek to understand these issues and support financial inclusivity.

Across five articles, we’re investigating different life and career stages for women, from bereavement and business growth to senior careers, family responsibilities, and later-life transitions. We bring together real experiences with professional insight to show how financial planning can create clarity, confidence and long-term security.

We’d like to hear from you too. Who makes financial decisions in your family? Are you a woman that invests? What would support female investors better?

The Female Founder

One in three entrepreneurs in the UK are women, and there has been a 36% increase in female business ownership since 2015. In total, 1.8 million women now run incorporated or self-employed ventures.⁶

Setting up a business is a bold step, but one that many women find empowering as they can set the rules, solve problems and make a difference.

We spoke to Laura Harnett, founder of Seep, a British company making plastic free, eco-friendly cleaning tools, such as cloths and sponges. The bestsellers are the sponge scourers made of loofah and wood pulp cellulose – an attractive alternative to the typical yellow and green plastic-based option and suitable for home composting.

Seep’s impressive target is to eliminate 1 billion plastic cleaning items from landfill by 2030. The company is B Corp certified, so sustainability and ethics are fundamental, and its ways of working are transparent and monitored.

Laura’s story is powerful. Working in the corporate, consumer industry at director level, it was a breast cancer diagnosis that gave her a wake-up call: “I was walking around the supermarket trying to find cleaning products that were good for the planet as well as my health, and the cleaning tool aisle was completely retro with products and brands full of plastic that hadn’t evolved since the 80’s. My diagnosis meant I lost the fear of anything else and took the plunge to set up my own business. I’d identified a gap in the market for products that are sustainable, perform as well or better than the alternatives and look good in your home.”

Seep was established in 2021 and has gone from strength to strength, even appearing on Dragon’s Den (see a clip here). There have been challenges along the way, not least that disrupting a very traditional, established product market brings significant technical challenges. Laura explains, “We had to get the product right and in the early days of development there were lots of fails, but we stuck at it until we had created products that really perform.”

The balancing act between purpose and profit is always there. Laura says it’s a constant compromise, “For example, we don’t air-freight because of environmental considerations, but this sometimes means we go out of stock.”

Alongside sustainability, Laura is passionate about encouraging girls to be entrepreneurs, “There’s a horrible statistic that approximately 80% of secondary school pupils can’t name a single female entrepreneur. I’m a strong believer in ‘if you can’t see it, you can’t be it,’ so I’m very keen to raise the profile of women starting businesses.”

Laura’s message to her younger self about money would be to thank her for being prudent and a diligent saver, “You always think you’re saving for a rainy day, but I wasn’t. My savings gave me optionality and choice. I was able to use them for something positive. And the business has been the silver lining that came from my health concerns.”

The Career Climber

As women move into senior roles, their income often rises sharply, however this doesn’t automatically translate into long-term security.

For many senior women, the challenge is not the scale of their ambition, but rather how much time they have. Between leadership responsibility and family life, financial planning beyond the basics often falls to the bottom of the list. Yet women, even more than men, need to make strategic decisions that bring future security.

Women are more likely to have career breaks, periods of part-time working and, on average, live longer, so financial choices must be robust and ready for these challenges.

As your career develops, it is likely that you have given some thought to your personal investment strategies. You’ll have ticked the sensible boxes of regular pension contributions and investing any bonuses and savings in tax-efficient ISAs.

But what’s next? How can a growing income today give you both flexibility and the safety of long-term security in the future?

Make salary rises count

When income increases, it is easy for lifestyle costs to rise alongside it. Instead, consider directing a proportion of every pay rise towards longer-term goals, such as:

• Increasing your pension contributions
• Building investments outside your pension that will bring mid-life flexibility
• Paying off debts
• Participating fully in share schemes or equity plans. Make sure you understand your company’s vesting schedule and any implications on tax or leaving.

Consider life, financial and career milestones holistically

These key points in your personal and work life are important times to take financial advice:

• Accepting partnership or equity offers
• Negotiating share options
• Taking maternity leave at senior level
• Moving internationally
• Going through divorce or separation
• Stepping back from executive roles

It’s easy to just focus on your career, but targeted advice means your money will work as hard as you do!

We spoke to Nadia Cowdrey, Partner at leading law firm DMH Stallard, where she specialises in wills, trusts, inheritance tax planning, Powers of Attorney and probate.

As a student, Nadia was inspired by the way law pervades every aspect of our lives and chose to study it at A-level. Then, after leaving law school, and sending 70 letter applications, Nadia secured a training contract at Griffith Smith in Brighton and qualified as a solicitor in 1998. She made it her goal to become managing partner there, which she achieved in her 40s, before merging the firm with DMH Stallard in 2022.

Nadia’s career is impressive, but it is the grit and determination behind her whole working life that really shines.

As a student, she had multiple jobs and it excited her to save, as well as to help her mum, who herself worked two extra jobs alongside night nursing. When her mum was hospitalised for six months following a brain haemorrhage, Nadia resolved that she would not have the pressure of work again and supported her for the remainder of her life.

Nadia says, “Arguably, drive and determination are not things you can learn, although the more success I have achieved, the greater the drive I feel to do more. Overcoming adversity gives a huge sense of achievement.”

Her role is about supporting people so they can make informed decisions at key points of life, explaining that, “It can be hard to see the wood for the trees where there are so many different considerations. My job is to communicate on a level that clients can understand and break down the considerations and legal processes involved so they have all the information.”

Nadia’s advice to her younger self about money comes from a place of experience, “Money is important, but the most important thing is your health and happiness. Money can help but I have come across many super-wealthy people who lose their health and then everything else becomes meaningless. I had a major health issue two years ago which statistically I am incredibly lucky to have survived.”

She advises everyone to think beyond life assurance and death in service benefits to consider what happens if you survive major illness and can no longer work, “Income protection planning is vital. Fortunately, I didn’t need it as I successfully returned to work and resumed my career, but it makes sense to be prepared.”

The Phoenix

Sometimes a change in circumstance is the catalyst for taking greater control of finances. In the aftermath of divorce, bereavement or a major life event, dealing with money and investments can feel stressful.

For Delia, her husband’s stroke changed everything in an instant. He went from working one minute to requiring care from Delia. As time went on, the expenses grew, with carers visiting, followed by a nursing home. It meant Delia had to rapidly reassess the financial situation and plan for a future that was not what she originally envisaged. Luckily, a childhood of frugality, in a female-led household, had conditioned her to a habit of saving, and she had reserves to draw on.

Looking back, Delia is grateful she’d focused on paying off the mortgage in earlier years but realises an increased focus on her own pension would have been helpful. On her husband’s death, she had “an initial guilt” on gaining his pension but has since acknowledged the vast amount of work she carried out for the family and his business, and that she “absolutely earned it.”

Delia’s message to her younger self would be to invest where you can, learn about the process and seek professional financial advice. She says, “I didn’t appreciate what I didn’t know about finances and how the choices I made when young could impact my later life.” She relied on her natural common sense to get by but might have maximised returns with more tailored support. She feels it is even more important for young people today to seek advice, “graduate loans, youth unemployment and so on will all make these choices harder.”

Major life events and times of transition are certainly a good time to seek joined-up legal and financial support. Cash flow analysis and financial planning can make sure you are on track for a secure future and consider issues such as illness and the need for paid care for yourself or your spouse.

It is predicted that the number of wealthy and ultra wealthy women controlling finances will increase. As baby boomer males come to the end of their lives, they often leave their wealth to their female partners, who might be younger and longer lived. This significant transfer of wealth might mean some women oversee significant finances for the first time.⁷

It’s vital that women are educated and ready to take charge.

The Family Anchor

As a farmer’s wife in the 1980’s, there was a traditional role to play for Frances. Running the home, looking after three children and doing the farm admin was an unpaid, full-time job. It’s a common picture for many women who give up work to raise the family, and it works fine, until it doesn’t.

Faced with divorce in her late 40s, Frances realised she was not equipped for her future, “I had no pension, and I didn’t know what shared funds we had or any clue what I was entitled to.” Luckily, it was enough to forge an independent way forward.

Now re-married and the difference is dramatic: “I wanted to be involved in all financial decisions. I’ve learnt about tax, I’ve built a pension and I know who to ask to get the right advice. Having a financial adviser who takes me seriously has been amazing for me realising that with the right information, I can make informed and successful decisions. I never want to feel vulnerable and lost like that again, whatever is ahead of me.”

Advice for women who step away from paid work

Check your state pension forecast, if you don’t have a full National Insurance record, you may not qualify for a full state pension. Usually, you’ll be able to backdate payments to ensure you qualify.

Do make sure you invest in a personal pension too. If you’re not earning, you can still contribute up to £3,600 gross each year (you pay in £2,800 and the government adds £720 in tax relief). This allowance can make a meaningful difference over time, particularly thanks to long term compounding and continued tax relief, so it’s well worth taking advantage of.

Explore life insurance with your partner, to make sure you are protected if they become ill or die. For more on this, read our recent article on financial protection.

Research shows that 90% of women will manage assets independently at some point in their lives, usually due to divorce or the loss of a spouse.⁸ By ensuring you are actively involved in financial decisions, have met with your financial adviser and know where your money is invested, any times of transition will be much smoother.

The Sustainable Investor

International Women’s Day is a moment to reflect on the progress women have made and the financial challenges that still exist. It also prompts discussion about how financial decisions can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world, which resonates strongly with many female investors.

Research shows that women often focus on long-term financial planning, wealth preservation, sustainable investing and philanthropy⁹ and are more likely to value purpose beyond profit.¹⁰

Meanwhile, global environmental and ethical problems disproportionately harm women and girls.

Females are more affected by climate change and the resulting resource shortages. Climate change amplifies existing gender inequalities and poses unique threats to their livelihoods, health and safety. Exploitation and unethical working conditions also affect women and girls more than men, as they are overrepresented in precarious or low-paid work.¹²

This means that investments that help make our world more sustainable and ethical are a powerful gift for women.

By choosing sustainable and responsible investment portfolios, you can avoid investing in sectors like fossil fuels, tobacco, and gambling and instead focus on businesses addressing global issues like healthcare innovation and climate change, supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Stefani Williams, Partner at Holden & Partners says, “Women often show a stronger preference for sustainable and values driven investing. It’s important to approach this with both the head and the heart, recognising that sustainable portfolios can behave differently from traditional ones – sometimes outperforming, sometimes lagging – depending on the market environment.”

Stefani explains that “For example, in periods of global instability, sectors such as defence may deliver strong returns, but they won’t align with everyone’s values. At the same time, higher interest rates can create challenges for newer or smaller companies, which are often more prominent in sustainable portfolios because of their innovative nature. This doesn’t diminish their long term potential – it simply highlights why taking a long term view and seeking professional advice is important with any investment strategy.”

Holden & Partners are experts at providing diversified sustainable strategies and helping you understand the risks, so that you don’t compromise your financial goals or your values.

Top seven themes from our inspiring women interviewees for International Women’s Day

1. Life will throw curveballs, often health-related, and it pays to be financially ready.
2. Your future self will thank you for diligent saving today.
3. Caring roles often impact female finances, but having the conversation with family can help address this.
4. Working for a purpose – to help those you love or to make a difference – is often the driving force behind impressive careers.
5. Taking financial advice and educating yourself about investments prepares you for life’s changes and means your money works as hard as you do.
6. It’s never too late to start taking charge financially.
7. Ethical and sustainably minded women can use their money as a powerful force for good.

1 An impactful way to accelerate action sees first ever female MI6 chief appointed – Blaise Metreweli
2 INvolve Analysis Finds: There are more FTSE 350 companies led by CEOs named Andrew or John than by women
3 Gender pay gap in the UK – Office for National Statistics
4 Why is there a gender pension gap, and what can women do? | The Independent
5 The Pathway to Inclusive Investment (bnymellon.com)
6 Women in Business: Key UK Facts and Statistics (Updated 2025)
7 Rise of the wealthy woman – Financial Times – Partner Content by Standard Chartered
8 100 Must-Know Statistics About Women and Retirement | Morningstar
9 Rise of the wealthy woman – Financial Times – Partner Content by Standard Chartered
10 The Pathway to Inclusive Investment (bnymellon.com)
11 How gender inequality and climate change are interconnected | UN Women – Headquarters
12 LucilaGranada-SevereExploitationOfWomen-2022-2024-SNM-1.pdf