Celebrating Female Leadership on International Women's Day 2025

At VIPR, we understand that diversity and inclusion are fundamental to driving innovation and success. As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we are proud to highlight the leadership of two incredible women at VIPR - Jo Hayes, our Head of People, and Caroline Hanan, our Chief Marketing Officer.

Jo Hayes: Empowering others through leadership

Jo Hayes, Head of People at VIPR, draws inspiration from female leaders like Michelle Obama, who champions education, confidence, and resilience, especially for young women. Jo’s leadership style focuses on empowerment - giving her team the trust and autonomy to make decisions, learn from their experiences, and grow. Jo believes that leadership is successful when her team feels confident enough to challenge her ideas, express their perspectives, and strive for leadership roles themselves. For Jo, creating a culture of trust, open communication, and continuous development is key to building high-performing teams.

Jo said, 'I encourage women to embrace their strengths and take pride in who they are and standing up for their beliefs. I get inspired by the young women around me that aim high and carve their own paths, thats extremely important. It reminds me of their uniqueness and power to make a significant impact.'

Caroline Hanan: Leading with empathy and purpose

Caroline Hanan, our Chief Marketing Officer, has been deeply inspired by Marie Curie, a trailblazer in science who demonstrated immense resilience and dedication. Caroline said, 'Curie’s ability to pursue her passion despite significant challenges is truly inspirational. This determination inspires me in my own leadership approach.'

Caroline’s leadership style is rooted in empathy, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to the mission. She encourages women to embrace their individuality, emphasising that true leadership emerges when women lean into their authentic selves rather than trying to fit into societal moulds.

'As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, I recognise that emotional intelligence and a collaborative approach has been essential to my success. I believe in the power of connecting with people to build trust and open communication, which is vital in leadership roles.'

Driving gender diversity

At VIPR, female representation has increased from 29.5% to 34.1% over the past six months, with 37.5% of our Executive Committee being women. This progress is a significant step toward greater gender diversity in senior leadership positions and reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where women’s contributions are valued and actively sought.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, #AccelerateAction, calls us to take bold steps toward gender equality and VIPR is proud to be at the forefront of this movement. We continue to promote mentorship, support women in tech, and create a culture where everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive.