International Women’s Day – Partners in Progress Give to Gain
Join Bluestone National Park Resort, Welsh Government & IoD for our third IWD event, connecting leaders and future talent.
The International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 event, Partners in Progress: Give to Gain, marks its third year in collaboration with Bluestone National Park Resort. Building on the success of previous years, this event will bring together business leaders and students to explore how inclusive leadership and innovation are shaping opportunities across West Wales and beyond.
Through inspiring panels, sector tours, and networking, attendees will gain practical insights into career paths, exporting journeys, and strategies for retaining talent in the region—all while fostering meaningful connections between current and future leaders.
Welsh Government is supporting the event by fully funding tickets, ensuring accessibility and encouraging participation from across the community. These tickets are limited and will be issued on a first come first serve basis. Full ticket price is £25 + vat for members and £35 + vat for non-members.
Attendance at this event will now contribute 2 CPD hours.
Please note: if you have registered for a free place and fail to notify us at least two weeks before the event that you cannot attend, a £10 no-show charge will apply.
Speakers
Alex Shufflebottom Jones
Alex Shufflebottom Jones is a highly respected Welsh industrial leader who spent over 24 years helping transform Shufflebottom Ltd from a family run steel fabrication firm into an award winning, £25 million steel framed building manufacturer with UK wide reach. Her leadership—alongside fellow directors—helped double turnover, expand the workforce, and position the company as a national specialist in steel construction.
Her journey includes rising from an early hands on role in the business (famously beginning with Saturday cleaning shifts) to leading the company through recessions, industry reform and market expansion. She has steered the organisation through major milestones, including its acquisition by Embrace Steel Group in 2024.
Today, Alex leads a portfolio career as a mentor, non executive director, angel investor, and board member of Manufacturing Wales, where she champions industrial innovation, workforce development, and inclusive leadership across Welsh manufacturing. Alex is also a board member of RIDBA, a trade association for steel framed building manufacturers.
Belinda Houghton-Jones
Belinda Houghton Jones is an Assistant Director at RBC Brewin Dolphin and an active angel investor, contributing to Wales’ entrepreneurial ecosystem. She is also part of Women Angels of Wales, a female led angel investing syndicate that supports and invests in female led Welsh businesses, helping them innovate, scale, and access high quality investment networks. Women Angels of Wales brings together experienced female investors and is jointly supported by the Development Bank of Wales and the British Business Bank, providing co investment opportunities and a strong pipeline of ventures.
Jane Wallace-Jones
Jane Wallace Jones founder and CEO of Something Different, a creative and product driven business known for its innovative approach and strong commercial performance. With a background in scaling and leading a company that designs and exports distinctive products, Jane brings insight into the creativity, adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit that characterises many successful Welsh businesses.
Owain James
Owain James is the Founder of Darogan Talent, an organisation dedicated to connecting Welsh talent with meaningful career opportunities and encouraging skilled individuals to build or return to careers in Wales. His work is centred on talent ecosystem development, future workforce strategy, and enabling young people to thrive in Welsh industries.
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