On 22nd May 2025, more than 100 delegates attended a cross-Livery event, The Confidence Code Conference, held at Guildhall, London. Hosted by The Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs, The Livery Committee and The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, the event aligned with International Women’s Day 2025 theme: ‘Accelerate Action’.  

 The Confidence Code Conference, the first of its kind in the Livery movement, had a superb line up of speakers and panelists filling the packed agenda to help the audience find ways to decode confidence. 

Dame Susan Langley DBE, Alderwoman and Sheriff of the City of London gave the opening address, perfectly setting the tone talking about resilience and self-assurance, explaining how she constantly reminds herself that anything is possible; and, telling the audience to keep asking themselves: ‘how hard can it be’. Dame Susan Langley DBE, subject to election will be the Lady Mayor 2025/2026. 

The Gender Index, working with the data platform mnAI, has developed a predictive model to show business trends through to 2030. Jill Pay, Chairman of The Gender Index delivered a compelling message by video on the importance of supporting female founders in the UK and how, ‘if nothing changes – nothing changes’. Jill expressed how well the purpose of The Confidence Code Conference aligns with the mission of The Gender Index: to champion the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion across all elements of UK business. She highlighted how currently 2% of VC funding goes to female entrepreneurs and posed the question: “What would be the impact if this was 10% - what would 2030 look like then?  What policies need be in place to achieve that 10%?” Jill’s message was a rousing call to action to encourage UK investment in female entrepreneurs. 

Richard Savage delivered an engaging presentation asking: Why do women make better negotiators? with stories from his life in the advertising industry and his work as Chief Negotiation Officer & Conflict Coach at his business, Savage Mabeth, Richard highlighted the lessons that he has learned. His advice was that when it comes to negotiation, “Ask good questions and really listen to the answers” and that “Lack of confidence is the enemy.” 

Amy Hopper, Founder of the TOA Group, gave an interactive presentation on Imposter Syndrome and Neurodiversity during which she invited the attending guests to pair up and tell each other something they felt they had felt imposter syndrome around. The request resonated and it seemed that most people had something to say. Amy’s key message was: “Remember that social media is a photoshopped version of someone’s life.”   

Corporate Governance Specialist, NED, Board Advisor and Past Master of the WCoE Kate Jolly, landed a brilliant keynote on: Entrepreneurial Confidence: Courage, Culture and Change, which pulled together the myriad themes from the preceding speakers into a cohesive narrative. Kate delivered a powerful message in a perfectly measured tone and underlined that “Leadership doesn’t always look like the loudest voice in the room” and the crucial need to: “Build a positive culture, especially if you are the Only, the First or the Last.“  

A panel session followed, chaired by Court Assistant and Chair of the Entrepreneurs DEI Committee, Veronica Heaven, with esteemed speakers: Florence King, Lady Mayoress, Talan Skeels-Piggins, Paralympian and Founder, Sarah Jane Benham, CEO Kru Live Global and Mark Gettleson, Director of The City Belonging Project, City of London Corporation. 

Further takeaways for the audience included: Build resilience; be patient with progression; choose carefully who you work with; reframe nerves into excitement; act ‘as if’; build an ecosystem where everyone belongs and is supported and remember people want to be part of the magic of the square mile. 

Thanks to the WCofE DEI Committee: Veronica Heaven, Talan Skeels-Piggins, Debbie Hatchwell, Kate Jolly, Amy Hopper and Neil Fullbrook for their valuable support for this event. 

The inspiring messages shared at the Confidence Code Conference has once again led to inter-livery goodwill flowing towards with Entrepreneurs with an appetite to co-host or collaborate on future events and initiatives – or simply to support with a helping hand, whenever it is needed. As an inclusive, co-operative and collaborative livery company, the WCoE is delighted to work with others and welcomes the engagement.