Co-President of Women in Business Club, Siobhan Hartnoll shares her insightful knowledge and the positive impact the Women in Business Club has.
Can you tell us about the Women in Business Club at London Business School and its mission?
The Women in Business Club (WiB) is the largest club at London Business School and one of its most strategically important. Founded 25 years ago when female representation in the LBS MBA programme was just 21%, the club has been instrumental in driving change, with women now comprising 46% of the student body.
As both the most active club on campus and the organiser of Europe’s largest student-led conference on gender equity, WiB has established itself as a cornerstone of the LBS community. Our mission is to support women at LBS in their personal and professional development by empowering them, connecting them with opportunities, and building a community of next-generation leaders. We are driven by our belief in gender equity in business and beyond.
What inspired you to take on the role of co-president?
Having navigated male-dominated environments throughout my life-from growing up with two older brothers to building my career in the technology industry-I was drawn to the co-president role for three compelling reasons:
First, I was curious to experience leadership in an organisation where women form the majority, essentially flipping the gender ratio I’d grown accustomed to in my professional life.
Second, I felt deeply motivated by the opportunity to lead a team of passionate women united by a mission that resonates personally with each of us.
Finally, the role offered a unique platform to connect with and learn from exceptional business and academic leaders who are shaping industries and driving meaningful change.
What have been some of the most impactful initiatives or events the club has organised under your leadership?
This is a substantial question given the scale of our operations. The Women in Business Club comprises 14 pillars with an Executive committee of 72 members. Between July and March, we’ve hosted 36 community events and launched 2 mentorship programmes.
In the first half of the year, we focused intensely on professional development. We implemented sector-specific recruitment sessions and student panels while forming strategic partnerships with organisations like GAIN, X-Press Feeders and DP World to increase our members’ exposure to industries where women are traditionally underrepresented, such as Logistics and Investment Banking.
Community building has been another cornerstone of our efforts. Our Circle Programme matched 150 incoming students with 50 current students to ensure a supportive transition to LBS. We strengthened these connections through our inaugural away day and various community events, which have been crucial in establishing a solid foundation for our upcoming 25th annual EQUALL conference which is set to be our most diverse and star-studded conference ever.
Where do you see yourself making the biggest impact post-MBA?
By doing the MBA I have realised my true superpower: the ability to unite people and get stuff done. While this might sound simple, I’ve discovered that genuine drive and follow-through are surprisingly rare qualities in business leadership. Post-MBA, I plan to return to the startup ecosystem where I can leverage these strengths to scale a world-class business-one that not only succeeds commercially but fundamentally transforms business practices for the better.
As you prepare to leave your role, what legacy do you hope to leave for the Women in Business Club?
Despite being 5 years out from the start of Covid its impact is still felt across campus. A lot of our initiatives this year have focused on restoring the club to it’s pre-pandemic glory – from ensuring the continued success of our Trailblazers Series which featured Leena Nair, Global CEO of Chanel last year, to resurrecting our Equality Ball.
As a leader, I recognise that ensuring continuity and preserving institutional knowledge, while not always the most visible achievements, are critical responsibilities. We’ve devoted significant effort to reinvigorating and formalizing the WiB advisory board and developing effective knowledge transfer mechanisms to prevent valuable insights from being lost between leadership transitions.
Our most significant new initiative this year will be the launch of the WiB Access Scholarship, designed to support underprivileged applicants through the notoriously expensive business school application process-addressing a critical gap that existing scholarships often overlook.
Ultimately, I believe my success will be judged over time rather than measured solely by the contributions made during my tenure. A truly successful legacy, in my view, will be seeing WiB continue to flourish and empower even more women to achieve and exceed their potential, while effectively engaging men as allies in this important journey because gender equity benefits everyone.
What advice would you give to women aspiring to leadership roles in business?
Be brave. My greatest professional and personal growth has always come from seizing opportunities, whether identified or presented. This courage has defined my journey—from leaving Singapore at 16 to move halfway across the world to the UK, to later spearheading the successful expansion of a British software company into Asia Pacific after identifying an untapped market opportunity.
Life continuously presents us with possibilities for growth and advancement. The key is recognising these moments and having the courage to embrace them, even when they feel challenging or uncertain. Don’t let fear hold you back from grasping the opportunities that could enable you to achieve or exceed your potential.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day represents a celebration of the remarkable contributions women make to create a better, more equitable world. It serves as a beacon that guides our ongoing efforts to champion and empower more women to reach new heights, achieve their ambitions, and realise their full potential. This day reminds us both of how far we’ve come and the journey that still lies ahead in our pursuit of gender equity.
Find out more about the Women In Business Club, here.