Earlier this year, colleagues from across Sopra Steria attended the Women in Defence UK Summit 2026,joining leaders, emerging talent and allies from across the defence community to discuss how we can build a stronger, more inclusive future for defence.
Hosted in the heart of London, the Summit brought together representatives from industry, the Armed Forces and the civil service for a day of discussion, learning and collaboration. The event focused on developing a stronger, more inclusive defence sector through visible role models, effective sponsorship and mentoring, flexible career pathways, and leadership development from the earliest stages of a career.
One of the strongest themes throughout the day was the importance of recognising potential, embracing difference and creating cultures where people feel empowered to contribute and succeed. Through a series of keynote speeches and panel discussions, delegates heard from women at different stages of their careers, each sharing their experiences and perspectives on leadership, resilience and growth.
For Sopra Steria's Louella Napleton, Senior Project Manager, the event was both inspiring and uplifting.
"The messages of the day were very clear to me," she said. "All women have a story and each story is important. Feel fabulous being you. Say yes to opportunities. And perhaps the loudest message of all was: be curious."
A particular highlight for many attendees was The Power and Paradox of Doubt, delivered by Olympic Performance Psychologist and Mindset Expert, Dr Kate Goodger. The session explored how self-doubt, often viewed negatively, can actually be an important tool for growth, learning and development.
Lori Burton, Training Manager at Sopra Steria reflected on the impact of the session, saying:
"It was empowering to learn that self-doubt is not always something to overcome but can be an important psychological tool that helps us grow, learn and challenge ourselves. As a woman in the workplace, it encouraged me to view self-doubt as part of my development rather than a barrier to success."
The theme of confidence and personal growth resonated strongly across the event. Discussions highlighted the importance of connection and belonging, while encouraging individuals to embrace opportunities, seek feedback and continue developing throughout their careers.
Another standout moment was the keynote from General Dame Sharon Nesmith, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. Sharing insights from her own career journey, she spoke about overcoming challenges, embracing difference and driving positive change within the sector.
Chris Suss-Franksen, Client Director in Defence at Sopra Steria, reflected on one of his key takeaways from the speech:
"General Dame Sharon Nesmith reflected on the importance of recognising and valuing individual strengths, and how the perspectives and experiences that shape us can become a real source of confidence and leadership."
Beyond the speakers, the Summit provided valuable opportunities to connect with professionals from across the defence ecosystem. Delegates shared their experiences, discussed challenges and built relationships that will continue long after the event itself.
Laura Wright, Incident and Problem Manager at Sopra Steria, described the day as:
"A powerful perspective on how women throughout their careers overcome challenges, adapt to change and thrive in the complex defence industry."
The afternoon concluded with an immersive war-gaming exercise, Silent Cables, Swarming Skies, which challenged participants to work through evolving crisis scenarios and explore how defence organisations respond to complex threats. Bringing together military personnel, industry partners, early-career professionals and senior leaders, the exercise demonstrated the value of diverse perspectives and collaborative problem-solving.
As a proud Women in Defence UK partner, Sopra Steria is committed to supporting initiatives that champion diversity, foster inclusion and help create opportunities for the next generation of defence professionals. Events such as the Women in Defence UK Summit are a powerful reminder that building the future of defence requires collaboration, innovation and a commitment to ensuring everyone can reach their full potential.
Together, we can help shape a stronger, more inclusive future for defence.