The Official Top 10 Female Business Leaders to Follow in 2025

A good business leader inspires trust, communicates a clear vision, and empowers their team. They lead with integrity, resilience, and adaptability, fostering a positive workplace culture. Emotional intelligence enables them to navigate challenges with empathy. Valuing collaboration and diverse perspectives, they make informed decisions and invest in team growth, turning challenges into opportunities for success.

Why Should I Follow a Business Leader?

You should follow a business leader because they are the driving force behind transformative change and achieving results. Great leaders inspire and motivate, taking teams to places they wouldn’t reach alone. In today’s competitive business climate, leadership is a critical advantage, shaping vision and fostering innovation. By understanding their strategies and attributes, you can learn to drive success in your own journey.

Source: Harvard Business Review

Why is it Important to Support Female Business Leaders?

Supporting female business leaders is essential for fostering diversity, equity, and innovation in the workplace. With women now holding 37% of senior manager/director roles, up from 32% in 2015, their growing presence is driving positive change, but it isn’t enough. Female leaders bring unique perspectives and leadership styles, contributing to better decision-making and inclusive cultures. Supporting them accelerates progress toward gender equality and stronger, more dynamic organisations.

Source: Forbes

Who Are The Official Top 10 Female Business Leaders To Follow in 2025?

• Jo Salter
• Inga Beale
• June Sarpong
• Arianna Huffington
• Nicky Moffat
• Penny Power
• Wendy Hall
• Karren Brady
• Lauren Paton
• Rachel Botsman

1. Jo Salter

Dr Jo Salter is an accomplished female business leader and trailblazer, celebrated as the UK’s first female fast-jet pilot. Her groundbreaking achievements in a male-dominated field make her an inspirational role model for resilience, leadership, and breaking barriers. Today, Jo is sought after as a speaker for her unique insights into teamwork, adaptability, and achieving peak performance under pressure. Her powerful message resonates with audiences, inspiring individuals and organisations to embrace challenges, innovate, and strive for excellence in their pursuits.

Official Testimonial for Jo Salter:

“Without a doubt, Jo was the best speaker I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. Totally outstanding. A perfect balance of content within Jo’s story, so relevant to our team, our lives and the event. Couldn’t be rated higher, and so many amazing comments from the team about being inspired and taking insights away for change. Please pass on our enormous gratitude.” – Stuart, Head of Business Delivery, Three

2. Inga Beale

Inga Beale is a distinguished business leader and trailblazer, celebrated as the first female CEO of Lloyd’s of London in its over 300-year history. Renowned for her commitment to diversity and inclusion, she transformed the organisation’s culture, driving innovation and modernisation. As a sought-after speaker, Inga inspires audiences with her insights into leadership, managing change, and creating inclusive workplaces, empowering individuals and organisations to thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.

Official Testimonial for Inga Beale:

“”Having the privilege to hear Inga share her remarkable journey on International Women’s Day was truly inspiring. Her courage, resilience, and unwavering determination left a lasting impression on all of us. Through her captivating storytelling, Inga not only shed light on her own challenges and triumphs but also empowered each of us to embrace our own unique paths. Her message of empowerment and equality resonated deeply, reminding us of the incredible strength and potential within every woman. Thank you, Inga, for being a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change.” – Shivani, Managing Director, ACA Group

3. June Sarpong

June Sarpong is a prominent British broadcaster, author, and advocate for diversity, widely recognised for her impact on promoting inclusivity. As the BBC’s first Director of Creative Diversity, she transformed the organisation’s approach to representation and equality within the media. Known for her thought-provoking insights, June engages audiences by highlighting the importance of breaking barriers and fostering inclusive cultures, encouraging individuals and organisations to unlock the full potential of diverse talent.

Official Testimonial for June Sarpong:

“Please pass on our thanks to June – she was awesome as expected. Her messaging on diversity, equity and inclusion were on point, her storytelling was engaging and thought-provoking- what a great guest speaker and interviewee. We’re really pleased. Thanks to June, and also to you for your support” – Liz, Stephenson Harwood LLP

4. Arianna Huffington

Arianna Huffington is a globally renowned business leader, author, and founder of The Huffington Post and Thrive Global. She has redefined the media landscape and championed the importance of well-being and resilience in leadership and workplace culture. Through her transformative ideas on redefining success, prioritising health, and managing stress, Arianna inspires individuals and organisations to embrace sustainable approaches to productivity and innovation, making her a leading voice in fostering meaningful change in today’s fast-paced world.

Official Testimonial for Arianna Huffington:

“Yesterday, we had a fantastic session with Arianna… Thank you again for our great collaboration!” – Juliette, Paris Experience Studio, McKinsey & Company

5. Nicky Moffat

Brigadier Nicky Moffat is a distinguished British leader and former highest-ranking woman in the British Army. With over three decades of experience in leadership and organisational transformation, she is celebrated for her expertise in building cohesive teams, fostering resilience, and leading through change. Drawing on her remarkable military career, Nicky shares compelling insights into decision-making, collaboration, and empowering others, inspiring individuals and organisations to excel under pressure and achieve their full potential.

Official Testimonial for Nicky Moffat:

“We booked Nicky to talk at our ‘women in road’ network event. Nicky gave a fantastic talk and really connected with her audience who found her both interesting and thought provoking. She was a great success and feedback after the event was all positive – they loved her!” – Emma, The AA

6. Penny Power

Penny Power is a pioneering British entrepreneur and author, best known for founding Ecademy, one of the world’s first social networks for business professionals. A passionate advocate for community-building and emotional well-being in business, Penny empowers entrepreneurs to thrive by fostering authentic connections and prioritising personal resilience. Through her inspiring work, she challenges traditional business approaches, encouraging organisations and individuals to embrace human-centred values, innovation, and collaboration for long-term success in an ever-evolving digital world.

Official Testimonial for Penny Power:

“Penny delivered a powerful discussion to the Madison Logic team on the topic of taking control of your life in business. Penny was able to share real life experiences that shaped her and her perspective, which is very helpful and resonates well for those on the receiving end of the discussion. As Penny shares practical activities to implement in your daily routine, participants are sure to leave the discussion with beneficial information. Her lively personality coupled with her positive outlook on life and business is truly admirable.” – Nicole, HR Generalist, Madison Logic

7. Wendy Hall

Dame Wendy Hall is a pioneering computer scientist and a globally recognised leader in artificial intelligence and web science. As one of the founders of the field of Web Science, she has profoundly influenced the way we understand and shape the digital world. A Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, she has tirelessly advocated for greater diversity in STEM. Her expertise and vision inspire individuals and organisations to innovate responsibly and harness technology for the greater good.

Official Testimonial for Wendy Hall:

“Dame Wendy Hall provided an insightful and balanced perspective on AI’s trajectory, its societal implications, and the urgent need for regulation. I personally found very interesting her emphasis on societal responsibility, particularly the dangers of misinformation and unchecked technological deployment. Furthermore, her optimism about AI’s potential to reshape industries, education, and work patterns, while maintaining caution about existential risks, was setting a pragmatic and visionary tone that resonated with the audience.” – Sergio, Deloitte LLP

8. Karren Brady

Karren Brady is a renowned British businesswoman, author, and television personality, celebrated for her trailblazing career in the male-dominated world of football as the Vice-Chair of West Ham United. Known as the “First Lady of Football,” she has been a strong advocate for women in leadership and business. Karren’s expertise in driving organisational growth, her no-nonsense leadership style, and her inspiring journey make her a compelling voice for empowering individuals and transforming workplace cultures.

Official Testimonial for Karren Brady:

“‎As one of the UK’s leading hospitality brands we recently engaged Karren to deliver a keynote speech at our annual conference in Manchester for circa 2200 delegates. Karren’s speech was totally ‘on-message’ and really resonated with our team members. Karren’s appearance created a real WOW for our team members Costa Coffee.” – Costa Coffee

9. Lauren Paton

Lauren Paton is an emerging leader and advocate in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation. Known for her dynamic approach to problem-solving and empowering others, she champions creativity and resilience in business. With a focus on fostering growth and inclusivity, Lauren inspires individuals and organisations to embrace change and pursue their goals with confidence. Her fresh perspective and dedication to making a positive impact resonate with those striving for meaningful success in today’s evolving landscape.

Official Testimonial for Lauren Paton:

“Lauren ran an excellent virtual session for our members where she shared her expertise on coping with the unexpected. It was incredibly informative and there were high levels of interaction from start to finish. The content was practical and many of our members commented on how they had already felt the benefits” – Emma, Sistr

10. Rachel Botsman

Rachel Botsman is a globally renowned author, speaker, and thought leader in trust and collaboration in the digital age. Known for her groundbreaking work on the sharing economy and trust dynamics, she has redefined how individuals and organisations navigate relationships and innovation. As a lecturer at Oxford University, she provides profound insights into trust as the cornerstone of modern business. Rachel’s thought-provoking ideas challenge conventional thinking, inspiring transformative approaches to leadership, technology, and societal progress.

Official Testimonial for Rachel Botsman:

”Not one single day has gone by since the event without external & internal commendations on her engagement with our audience. Her message really connected and impacted the entire audience.” – Adobe

Hire an Official Top 10 Female Business Leader Today!

Want to stay ahead in the business world? Check out The Top 10 Female Business Leaders to Follow in 2025! These influential leaders are driving change, shaping industries, and sharing valuable insights. Learn from their journeys to gain inspiration and practical advice for your own professional growth.

If one of the inspiring female business leaders on our list has captured your interest, or you’re keen to learn more about these influential figures, don’t hesitate to connect with us! Reach out today to explore how their insights can empower your team and drive success. Contact us at 0203 9158 282 or fill out our online contact form to start your journey towards impactful leadership and innovation.