Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 at Debenhams Ottaway

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day to recognise the achievements of all women across all social, economic, cultural, and political aspects.  

This year’s theme of #AccelerateAction focuses on the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality, focusing on the urgency to address professional and personal barriers and biases women may face. The most effective way to achieve gender equality is to understand those barriers and the best way to overcome them in and out of the workplace.

At Debenhams Ottaway we strive to create a forward thinking, inclusive environment for all of our people to be able to unlock their full potential. We are proud to have a female managing partner, 50% of our partners are female and 55% of our senior leadership team are female, with our male colleagues acting as allies.

This International Women’s Day, some of the Debenhams Ottaway team have shared their thoughts and experiences around gender equality, what it means to them and what inspires them.

Shelbi Martin, Lawyer – Wills, trusts and probate

“I strive to show other women that we deserve to be treated equally and encourage those that wish to step outside of gender norms and go after what they want regardless of the stereotype that role may come with. I truly believe that gender equality should provide a safe place for every person to embrace their potential and thrive in whatever environment they may be in. It is such a privilege to be working for a business filled with inspiring and strong women that have worked hard to be where they are today. Even more so, it is an honour to be contributing to that effect.”

Eleanor Parkes, Lawyer – Employment law

“In my opinion, equality means an environment where every person, no matter their gender, gets the same chance to succeed – whether that is through fair pay, supportive workplaces, or having equal access to education and opportunity.

Women continue to face barriers to equality – spanning from experiencing discrimination and violence, to being paid less for the same work, to childcare responsibilities and not seeing enough female role models in top leadership roles.

For me, gender equality is not just about ticking Diversity Equality & Inclusivity boxes or complying with legislation, it is about truly levelling the playing field. It involves standing up and supporting people at the intersection of multiple forms of discrimination, in particular.”

 

Barry Griffin, Partner- Wills, trusts and probate

“My view on gender equality means giving everyone a fair chance. There should be no glass ceilings and no room given to old cliches because often the people challenging those views prove them wrong. These views weren’t right 100 years ago and they certainly aren’t right now. This is especially the case given the advances in technology and flexible working that make it easier to work wherever you are and when you can.

I strive to inspire by leading with respect, supporting without hesitation, and celebrating the strength of the women around me – because equality isn’t just an idea; it’s an action.”

 

Sarah Liddiard, Senior Associate – Corporate and commercial

“My Mum has always inspired me with her hard working and determined nature. She always looked for opportunities, and her first job when she emigrated to the UK was working for Alan Sugar and his father in East London doing bookkeeping work. She went on from there to work for a record company before we started school, and continued to balance work alongside raising me and my twin sister with my Dad. What is notable is the way her employers were prepared to provide flexibility, such as offering term time only work, years before employees had a legal right to request it, which meant my Mum was able to continue to gain valuable IT skills and progress in her career alongside being a parent.

I regularly attend the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Ladies in Leadership events that have featured many inspirational speakers over the years who have inspired and motivated me. In particular, Rosalind Bluestone MBE who started the Goods for Good charity based in Watford who overcame childhood poverty to build a charity which helps some many others, and her personal journey really left an impression on me.

I’m motivated by quite a few different things, but what springs to mind first is my daughter and showing her what she can achieve in life. It’s motivating to see that she doesn’t feel that she is being constrained by her gender and wants to pursue a career in science one day.”

 

Les Courtnell, Legal Compliance Manager

Melissa Hamilton, Principal Dancer of The Royal Ballet, is truly an inspirational woman. Unlike many dancers who start full-time training early, Melissa did not begin vocational ballet training until she was 16. Despite some teachers advising against pursuing a ballet career, she moved to Greece to train privately. In 2007, seeking the chance to perform on a stage, Melissa entered and won the Youth America Grand Prix, which led to her joining The Royal Ballet.

In 2025 Melissa was promoted to Principal Dancer of The Royal Ballet, making her the oldest dancer to achieve this title at the age of 36. During an interview, Melissa shared two pieces of advice that resonated with me. When asked how she overcame challenges, she said, face the things that are on your mind every day (those that keep you awake at night) or you will not move forward.

She also reminisced about staging a ballet production last year at the Grand Opera House in Belfast, a venue where she had only seen pantomimes as a child. She described this experience as a “dream come true” and “super special.” Despite performing worldwide, this moment was particularly meaningful because it fulfilled her childhood dreams. In that moment, I felt she was describing a chance to meet her 10-year-old self and ask, ‘Did I do well with your life?’ I believe many people would cherish hearing their younger selves say, ‘Yes.’

 

Juliet Schalker, Partner- Dispute resolution

I am lucky to be surrounded by amazing women, both within and outside of work. My grandmothers and my mother are some of the strongest women I know, each having faced numerous personal challenges with grace and a sense of practicality. At work I am supported by an incomparable female managing partner, who leads with empathy and a resilience, and by a team of female colleagues who inspire me every day with their strength, kindness and sense of collaboration.

I am lucky to be in a position to use my platform and network to lift other women up. I have had support and help to get where I am and I am keen to “pay it forward”. I hope that this inspires other women to lift each other up. My children are my biggest source of strength and motivation. They remind me of what’s important, and the responsibility I feel to provide for them pushes me to keep going, even when things get difficult. I want to set a good example for them, which drives me to be better, work harder, and stay focused on my goals.

Gender equality benefits us all – let’s continue to support and uplift each other, regardless of gender, and work towards a future where everyone has the chance to succeed.”