International Women's Day 2025

The theme this year is “Active Acceleration” in shifting the balance of fairness even further towards equality. Our intrepid reporter roamed the office asking some of the amazing women in our company what they would say to their younger selves…

Diana Irimia, Digital Marketing Executive at Agria UK 

Advice that I would give to my younger self would be that you don’t have to have such a rigid understanding of identity. I was formed around the ideals of having this personal brand, this business card, this labelling around myself, and I don’t think that’s beneficial in the long term. I think that authenticity is the way to go: there’s no audience to perform for; there’s no role we’re playing; and I think that authenticity is the best way to present yourself to the world. No labels, no roles, no made up titles, no parroting of other people, just being yourself.

Because, at the end of the day, we’re just on a floating ball in space, so there’s nothing worth playing for. I’d just pass on these ideas that it’s OK to be cringe; it is OK to be embarrassing; it’s OK to be human. It’s really not the end of the world, no-one cares about your image as much as you do. 

Helen Finnie, Change & Implementation Manager 

If I could go back to talk to my younger self, I’d just let them know what everything will work out in the end. This is based on the fact that when I was 14 I had to take my options at school and I chose Computer Science and Physics and it’s not what I wanted to do, I wanted to take Art and Drama. However, over 40 years later, I am now working in IT. Am I using the skills I leant in Computer Studies? No, because things have advanced since then. But my hobby is arts & crafts, so I think I’ve done OK. But I would say to my younger self, “Follow your dream.” I might not be sat here now though!  

Molly Lewis, Customer Service Team Leader 

If I was having coffee with my younger self and I wanted to give her some advice, I would tell her to embrace every opportunity and role, even if it’s not the route that you wanted to take and that you were looking for. I’d say if you don’t know what you want to do, that’s fine, just as long as what you’re doing right now, you’re enjoying it.

And I would definitely tell her to start saving money sooner because being an adult is really expensive! 

At 24, you’ll buy your first house, and two months later, you’ll be made redundant. You’ll panic, thinking, “How the hell am I going to pay my mortgage?” But that fear will push you to take control, you’ll become a consultant, drive up and down the M4 seeing clients, and build a safety net that will change everything. 

As a woman, you’ll have to work harder and be more resilient. That’s the reality. Taking time out for kids will come with its own set of challenges. But remember this, your male colleagues aren’t your competition, they can be your allies. Surround yourself with people who lift you up. And for the love of all things, know your worth. Ask for the pay rise. Have the difficult conversations. Don’t sell yourself short. 

You’ll battle imposter syndrome for most of your career. It’ll creep in, making you question if you really deserve to be in the room. You do. It’ll take years, but you’ll finally realise that not only do you belong at the table, you have something valuable to bring to it. If you ever doubt yourself, don’t sit with it alone, get feedback, find mentors, talk to the people who inspire you. 

The best decision you’ll ever make? Trusting your gut. Walking away when something doesn’t feel right and stepping into something even better. 

And one last thing don’t get too comfortable. The biggest growth happens when you push yourself into spaces that feel a little scary. 

Success isn’t just about money or job titles. It’s about doing something that excites you, while still being kind to the people around you. 

Keep going. You’re going to do just fine. 

“No, no,” I assured her, still grinning. “You’re fine. But spoiler alert: you never wake up one day with a perfect plan. You just keep winging it, and somehow, it works out.” 

She blinked. “That… feels both comforting and deeply unhelpful.” 

She slumped back, poking suspiciously at her overpriced fancy latte like it might reveal the secrets of the universe. “So, no grand purpose? No big epiphany?” she said. 

I shrugged. “Well, there was a plan, but we changed it about 47 times, panicked, questioned everything, and somehow still landed on our feet. Think of it as a very chaotic google maps route - lots of wrong turns, a few dead ends, and at least one crisis in a job we once held.” 

She nodded solemnly. “Should I at least prepare for anything?” 

I debated whether to warn her about the dodgy haircuts or that one very questionable life phase with the tattoos but decided some things were best learned the hard way. “Just enjoy the ride,” I said instead. “Oh, and maybe start saving money. Life gets expensive and your spending habits now are not going help you later.” 

She shuddered. “Noted.” Then, after a pause, she narrowed her eyes. “Wait. Do we ever stop overthinking?” 

I snorted. “Absolutely not.” 

She sighed, grabbing a napkin and scribbling something. “What are you writing?” I asked. 

“A reminder that apparently, I will be just fine.” She tucked it into her pocket and stood up. “Well, thanks, I guess.” 

“You’ll work it out,” I said. 

She gave me a sceptical look but smirked as she walked away. I finished off my coffee and stepped outside - still winging it, one day at a time.