The energy in the room was electric. Women from across the flexible workspace industry gathered for the Women in Flex event, a long-overdue initiative designed to amplify women’s voices in the sector, foster collaboration, and unlock leadership opportunities at every career stage. Hosted in a stunning space courtesy of Natasha Morris and the Myo team, the night was all about connection, inspiration, and straight-talking advice from some of the industry’s most accomplished female leaders.
The first panel of the evening, Lessons from the Ladder, brought together five trailblazing women who have climbed to the top of their fields. Moderated by Liz Hamson, BE News the discussion peeled back the layers on what it takes to make it in the flex industry, the realities of leadership, and how to navigate the inevitable bumps in the road. Here’s what we learned.
No One’s Career Goes to Plan and That’s Okay
Ask any leader how they got into flex, and you’ll rarely hear “I always wanted to do this.” The panellists shared stories of winding career paths, unexpected pivots, and leaps of faith. Nicola Jones (Customer Experience General Manager, GPE) started in traditional real estate but found it creatively stifling. The shift to flex happened naturally, allowing her to lean into her strengths. Laura Peacock (Sales Director, Fora) took a similar route, falling into flex via recruitment and discovering a passion that’s kept her in the industry for over a decade.
Meanwhile, Theresa White (Head of Workspace, CEG) came from a performing arts and events background. Her ability to manage people, solve problems on the fly, and think creatively made her an excellent fit for flex. Helena Hughes (Director, Savills Workthere) was simply looking for a job at university when she landed at Regus, unknowingly setting the foundation for a 20-year career in the industry. And Natasha Morris (Head of Myo, Landsec) had her sights set on a legal career but soon realised it wasn’t the right fit; thankfully, she found her way into property and hasn’t looked back.
The takeaway? Your career isn’t a straight line, and that’s a good thing. Every job, side hustle, and failed attempt teaches you something that you’ll eventually use.
The Best Leaders Are Authentic (And A Bit Bossy)
There’s no one way to lead, but the panel agreed that authenticity is key. Natasha believes in listening and consulting widely before making a decision; once the plan is set, it’s full steam ahead. Nicola described herself as “firm but fair,” a leader who gets stuck into the details and isn’t afraid to set clear expectations. Helena emphasised the importance of openness and trust; transparency builds relationships, whether you’re leading a team or managing clients.
Interestingly, the topic of perception came up. Many of the women had, at some point, been labelled as “bossy” or “blunt.” The double standard in leadership styles is real: a direct, assertive woman is often called aggressive, whereas a man displaying the same behaviour is simply seen as confident. The consensus? Own your style, ignore outdated stereotypes, and communicate with clarity.
Confidence is Overrated; Action is What Matters
Natasha had a hot take on confidence: “It’s massively overrated.” The idea that you need to feel confident before stepping into leadership is a myth. Instead, she argues that humility and action are far more powerful. “You don’t have to believe you can do it; you just have to do it. If you’re willing to be bad at something for a bit, you’ll get better.”
Laura backed this up with a key piece of advice: say yes to things outside your comfort zone. “Even if you feel uncomfortable, do it anyway. That’s where the magic happens.”
Collaboration Over Competition
The old-school view that women must compete with each other for limited leadership opportunities is outdated and, frankly, exhausting. This industry is still in its infancy, and there’s plenty of space for everyone. “We can lift each other up and choose collaboration over competition,” said Emilie Lashmar (Director & Producer, GCUC UK). And the data backs it up; strong networks and mentorship accelerate career growth for women in ways that isolated ambition simply can’t.
Women Belong in the Boardroom, But the System Needs to Change
The discussion naturally turned to the challenges still facing women in the industry: pay gaps, the lack of female CEOs, and the continued dominance of men in top-tier decision-making roles. While progress is happening, there’s still work to do.
For real change, the panellists agreed, men must be part of the conversation. “It’s not us that needs to change; it’s them,” Natasha stated bluntly. The focus needs to shift towards creating workplace policies that acknowledge and support women’s realities, from maternity return policies to menopause awareness and flexible working structures that don’t penalise caregivers. “If we design workplaces around real human needs, everyone benefits.”
Parting Words for Future Female Leaders
We wrapped up with some rapid-fire advice for the next generation of women in flex:
- Teresa White: “Be agile. Don’t pigeonhole yourself. Carve out your own space.”
- Laura Peacock: “Work hard. Say yes to things that scare you.”
- Natasha Morris: “Confidence isn’t essential; action is. Do the thing, and confidence will follow.”
- Nicola Jones: “Be brave. Lean into the things that challenge you.”
- Helena Hughes: “Know your strengths and play to them. Keep your eyes open for opportunities.”
A Night of Inspiration (And a Few Glasses of Wine)
As the panel wrapped up, the evening flowed into a networking session; an opportunity to turn inspiration into action. Women exchanged stories, swapped contact details, and raised a glass to the future of flex.
With initiatives like Women in Flex powered by technologywithin carving out dedicated spaces for women to connect, share, and support one another, the industry is on the right path. And as these leaders proved, the future is flexible and female.