Sandwell local policing commander among inspirational speakers at International Women’s Day event

The event, which celebrates female resilience, will feature a line-up of speakers all sharing their personal stories, insights and journeys to success, offering motivation, empowerment and inspiration. And companies are being invited to sponsor tickets for those who would otherwise be unable to attend.

Speakers include Kim Madill, from West Bromwich. The commander for Sandwell Local Policing Area since 2023, Kim’s experience spans 28 years, including leading teams in Public Protection, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism.

In 2004 she was pivotal to the creation of West Midlands Association for Women in Policing and is currently the strategic female lead on the West Midlands Police Superintendents Association. She also recently completed 10 years’ service to a local charity who delivered trauma-informed interventions to children.

She is passionate about Prevention, Neighbourhood Policing and Collaborating with partners to deliver great services to communities, especially relating to issues of violence against women and girls. And she has led many changes over her career to improve policing response to these crimes.

She said: “‘It’s a privilege to have been asked to speak at the Ladies First Professional Development event on International Women’s Day. The theme for IWD 2026 ‘Give to Gain’ reflects policing values—when we invest in supporting women at work and in our communities, we strengthen our collective response to violence against women and girls.

“I look forward to sharing some of the work I have done to support female colleagues and women and girls in our communities and hopefully inspire you to think about how you can also make a difference.”

Ladies First Director Tracey McAtamney said: “We are seeking support to ensure this event is accessible to women who would otherwise be unable to attend. This includes women facing financial hardship and schoolgirls who would benefit from exposure to positive role models and empowering messages at a formative stage in their lives.

“We are inviting companies to sponsor a ticket or tickets to enable these women to attend. In recognition of your support, all sponsoring companies will be acknowledged on the night, featured in our event brochure and promoted across our social media platforms.

“Your support will help provide guidance, inspiration and hope to women who need it most.”

She added: “My focus has always been to create a supportive community that offers mentorship through both the good times and the challenging ones.

“Over the years, I am proud to say that we have worked alongside many charities, raising funds, helping to shine a light on the incredible work they do and amplifying their impact.

“On a personal level, this journey has introduced me to some truly remarkable people – many of whom I now call friends. It has reinforced my belief that choosing your ‘tribe’ and your business network carefully is essential, not only for professional success but for personal growth and resilience.”

The evening is being hosted by TV presenter and producer Arti Halai and the other speakers are: broadcast journalist Suzanne Virdee; Sarah Hosking MBE; former MP Colleen Fletcher OBE and Elinor Perry, MD of Pentlands Accountants & Advisors.

The occasion is also raising funds for The Esther Project – a gender-specific initiative dedicated to supporting women experiencing domestic abuse, recovering from addiction, transitioning from prison or facing homelessness, incorporating Esther House - a seven-bed supported living accommodation. 

Founder Lianne Kirkman said: "We are so grateful to Ladies First for choosing to support The Esther Project through this International Women’s Day celebration. When women stand together, transformation happens.

“Ladies First’s support through this event will fuel our work to give the women we work with, the safety, stability and empowerment they deserve. We’re proud to walk alongside such a dedicated community of inspirational women.”

Arti Halai has spent 15 years in TV as a presenter, reporter and producer for BBC and ITV and over 15 years as an entrepreneur and public speaker.

Award-winning TV news anchor and freelance journalist, Suzanne Virdee has been a passionate supporter and mentor to women starting out in journalism. And as a published author of A Girl’s Guide To Being Awesome and the best-selling A Teenager’s Guide To Being Fabulous, she empowers young girls with advice on navigating the difficult teenage years.

On her retirement from the NHS in 2000, Sarah Hosking MBE, from Stratford, founded The Hosking Houses Trust which gives residencies to older women writers and others who need a period of protected time for personal work. Since 2002, she has hosted 200 creative women free for between two weeks and two months and is herself an author of four non-fiction books.

She has a master's degree in renaissance history from Birmingham University, became an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2023, was awarded an MBE in 2024 and won a Times/Sternberg Active Life award in 2025.

Colleen Fletcher OBE is a retired councillor of 14 years and Coventry North East MP of nine years including Opposition Whip. Among her many other roles, she was also Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Blood Cancer; Cancer; Homelessness; Mental Health; and Pancreatic Cancer.

Elinor Perry is the founder of Pentlands Accountants and Advisors in Leamington Spa, which marked its 20^th anniversary last year.

In 2005, aged 34, she did a management buyout from the existing owners of the business – eventually also going on to buy out her business partner in 2010. And last year was awarded a Ladies First Professional Development Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ladies First Professional Development Network is a national networking group which organises events and awards for inspirational female achievers across the UK. 

Its director Tracey McAtamney is being supported on March 4 by sponsors Alsters Kelley Solicitors, Chalmers News PR; Bia’s Marketing, Production & PR and Visually Virtual Photography as well as contributions by Warwickshire Gin Company.

Tickets and further information about sponsorship are available from Tracey at: tracey@ladiesfirstnetwork.co.uk or via: ladiesfirstnetwork.co.uk