Story Highlight
– Inaugural Women in Watches event on March 2, 2026.
– Open for all, focusing on women’s industry achievements.
– Discussions on leadership, visibility, and career pathways.
– Women influencing watch design and market trends.
– Event hosted at Art’otel Battersea with networking opportunities.
Full Story
The inaugural Women in Watches event will take place in London on 2 March, featuring a lineup of eight distinguished women participating in panel discussions. This initiative seeks to both celebrate the accomplishments of women in the watch industry and facilitate meaningful conversations surrounding their roles.
Open to individuals of all genders, the event aims to unite leaders from retail, brand management, and media sectors within the UK watch industry to exchange insights and tackle pressing concerns in anticipation of International Women’s Day.
Central to the event will be discussions led by prominent figures in the field. The first panel will delve into themes of leadership and visibility, examining the challenges and opportunities faced by women in their careers. WatchPro editor May Garland will facilitate this dialogue with key speakers, including Ines Morais from eBay, acclaimed author and watch historian Rebecca Struthers, Maxine Banks-Lyon of Banks Lyon, and Serena Gough from Laings. The conversation will address leadership development, gender pay disparities, senior-level representation, and industry support for women across various roles.
A second panel will focus on women as influential consumers and market influencers. Led by WatchPro’s digital editor Ella Kirby, this session will feature insights from Faye Soteri, host of the Watch World With Faye podcast; Sarah Fergusson, senior watch specialist at Bonhams; Elen Barnes, chief marketing officer at Bremont; and watch journalist Scarlett Baker. This discussion will explore the evolving landscape of market segmentation and the significant impact female collectors have on product innovation and brand strategies.
With a few spots still open for registration, details about the event are as follows:
**Event Details**
– **Date**: Monday, 2 March 2026
– **Venue**: Art’otel Battersea, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ
Attendees will convene at the Perola Cocktail bar, located on the 14th floor of the hotel, providing sweeping views of Battersea Power Station and the greater London skyline. The event promises a brunch, engaging discussions, networking opportunities, and a complimentary glass of bubbly.
**Admission**: Free (with limited spots available)
To reserve a seat, interested parties should email alex.douglas@itp.com with “Women in Watches” as the subject line. For further inquiries regarding event support, please reach out to alex.douglas@itp.com or andrew.wingrove@itp.com.
