Empower by challenging bias and fostering confidence: Lynsey Kitching

As part of International Women’s Day 2026, leaders in Greater Birmingham share their thoughts on the power of reciprocity and support following this year’s theme of ‘Give to Gain’.

What changes would you like to see for women in business in Greater Birmingham?

Greater Birmingham already has an incredibly strong community of women in business, and the region actually ranks among the top in the UK for female-led companies.

But there is still more to do when it comes to access, visibility and support.

One of the biggest shifts I’d love to see is greater access to investment and growth opportunities for women-led businesses.

Across the UK, only a very small proportion of funding goes to female-founded companies, which limits how many brilliant ideas scale.

I’d also like to see businesses continuing to normalise flexible and human-centred leadership and work practices.

When workplaces support different life stages, including parenthood and caring responsibilities, more women stay, progress and lead.

What is one action you could take to challenge gender bias or stereotypes?

One of the most powerful actions we can take is to challenge bias in the everyday conversations where decisions about people are made. 

At CAPE, we work with leaders on the idea that leadership lives in conversations, the ones about connection, clarity, performance, problem solving and potential.

And those moments are exactly where unconscious bias can quietly shape outcomes.

A simple but powerful action is to pause and ask better questions. Are we judging confidence over capability? Are we describing a man as “decisive” and a woman as “difficult” for the same behaviour? Are we giving the same stretch opportunities to everyone in the room? 

When leaders become more aware of the language and assumptions that show up in these conversations, they start making fairer decisions.

It’s not always about big policies or programmes. Often, it’s about small moments of awareness and courage, asking the question, challenging the narrative, and making sure talent is recognised wherever it sits.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced as a woman in business and how did you overcome it?

Earlier in my career as a Chartered Surveyor, I often found myself in environments where I was the only woman in the room, particularly on construction sites or in technical meetings. 

When you’re young and in those spaces, you quickly realise you sometimes need a little extra gumption to be clearly seen and respected. I felt I had to prove my credibility early, being prepared, knowing my numbers, and being confident enough to speak up even when my voice felt like the quietest one in the room.

Over time I realised something important. Respect wasn’t just about having the loudest voice, it was about clarity, confidence and consistency.

When you ask good questions, communicate well and stand behind your expertise, people start to listen. That experience shaped how I lead today and the work we do at CAPE.

Many leaders – women and men – struggle with confidence in moments where they need to speak up, challenge or influence. 

So in many ways, those early experiences taught me one of the most important leadership lessons: your voice matters, even when it isn’t the loudest in the room. And sometimes leadership is simply having the courage to use it.

This year’s IWD theme is Give to Gain. How will you give back to either your organisation or community to help drive more change?

For me, giving back has always centred around mentoring and opening doors for others, particularly for women navigating moments of transition in their careers. 

Throughout my own journey, from my early days as a Chartered Surveyor to now running a leadership development business, I’ve benefited hugely from people who offered guidance, encouragement and honest challenge at the moments I needed it most.

So one of the most important ways I try to give back is by doing the same for others. I regularly support women who are stepping into leadership for the first time, returning to work after having children, or considering a leap into something new.

Often what they need isn’t a formal programme, it’s a conversation with someone who has been through similar moments and can offer perspective and belief.

Through my work at CAPE, I’m also passionate about helping leaders create cultures where those supportive conversations become part of everyday leadership. 

Because when people share experience, open networks and back each other, confidence grows. And when confidence grows, more women step forward to lead, which ultimately strengthens our organisations and our communities.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to women looking to succeed in your industry?

Invest in your network early and nurture it over time. 

So much of my own career, from my days as a Chartered Surveyor to now co-running a leadership development business, has been shaped by the people around me.

Mentors who offered perspective, peers who shared opportunities, and advocates who opened doors when I might not have been in the room.

Networking doesn’t have to mean formal events or collecting business cards. Often it’s simply about building genuine relationships, staying curious about other people’s work, and being generous with your own support. 

I’d also encourage women not to wait until they feel completely ready before stepping forward. Confidence often comes after the opportunity, not before it. And finally, remember that success is rarely a solo journey.

The women who thrive are often those who both seek out support and offer it to others along the way. When we build strong networks and back each other, we create far more opportunity than we ever could alone

How has being part of GBCC helped support your business or career? 

Being part of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has been incredibly valuable, both professionally and personally.

As a founder, the Chamber has helped me stay connected to the wider business community across the region. Through events, introductions and conversations, it creates opportunities to learn what’s really happening in organisations, the challenges leaders are facing and the priorities shaping businesses across Greater Birmingham.

It’s also been a brilliant platform for building relationships. Many of the connections I’ve made through the Chamber have turned into meaningful collaborations, clients and partnerships over time.

But beyond the commercial side, what I value most is the sense of community.

Running a business can sometimes feel quite solitary, and the Chamber creates spaces where people can share ideas, support each other and open doors. 

That spirit of connection and generosity reflects something we believe strongly at CAPE, that progress often starts with better conversations. The Chamber is very good at creating the environments where those conversations can happen