As we approach International Women’s Day on 8th March 2025, we at NQual want to take the opportunity to celebrate and showcase the incredible women within our organisation. This year’s theme is all about empowerment, leadership, and recognising the achievements that shape our workplace and the wider business world.
Our Managing Director, Ashley Robertson, envisioned a way to truly highlight the strength, dedication, and impact of the women at NQual and those we work with externally. She asked the women in our organisation three key questions, designed to encourage reflection on their accomplishments, aspirations, and the ways in which they uplift those around them.
Today, we are proud to share the voices of some of the inspiring women at NQual. Their responses offer insight into their leadership styles, the ways they empower others, and the milestones they hold closest to their hearts.
What impact do you strive to make within your organisation and beyond?
“I’m deeply committed to making everyone’s day a little bit easier—whether that’s our internal teams, learners, providers, or employers. Education can be a stressful sector, but at NQual, we have the opportunity to alleviate some of that stress and make a tangible difference in people’s lives.”
How do you empower and support other women in your organisation?
“I strive to create an environment where every individual, regardless of background or role, has the opportunity to reach their full potential through continuous professional and personal development.”
What achievement are you most proud of?
“I often refer to an NQual as my most demanding child, and much like my actual family, it’s something I’m incredibly proud of. The feedback we receive about our service, brand, and team fills me with pride. Most of all, I’m proud to have grown and led NQual while raising a young family—a balancing act that’s both challenging and deeply rewarding."
What impact do you strive to make within your organisation and beyond?
“I aim to ensure that we maintain the highest standards of compliance, quality, and fairness in End-Point Assessment (EPA). I also advocate for an inclusive and supportive environment for women in leadership and in our wider team, by sharing knowledge and offering opportunities for development.”
How do you empower and support other women in your organisation?
“I promote flexible working to support work-life balance and mentor team members to build their confidence. I believe in using positive language and a coaching-style leadership approach to empower women at NQual.”
What achievement are you most proud of?
“I'm proud of my progression within NQual and the relationships I have built with my stakeholders. Over the past two years, I have focused on professional development, completing a diploma and two further qualifications to enhance my knowledge.”
What impact do you strive to make within your organisation and beyond?
“I focus on creating a culture where diverse voices are heard and valued. Leading by example, I promote equal opportunities, particularly for other women and underrepresented groups, and demonstrate empathetic leadership to build a thriving, innovative workplace."
How do you empower and support other women in your organisation?
“I believe in empowering and supporting other women at NQual by prioritising mentorship, fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration, and leading by example.”
What achievement are you most proud of?
“Front lining NQual’s expansion into international markets—especially navigating cultural differences regarding gender roles. Being able to build partnerships and professional relationships across different countries as a woman is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
What impact do you strive to make within your organisation and beyond?
“My aim is to make a positive and lasting impression on the business by promoting empowerment and an environment where everyone feels like their voice can be heard. This involves leading by example, encouraging open communication, and providing mentorship to others.
I would like to think that I am approachable, open and positive and anyone within the team could talk to me and ask for support when needed. I feel proud to work for an organisation which encourages inclusivity where women feel valued, appreciated and heard. As you would have already guessed, I like figures and data, so I enjoy being able to present information in ways that some people don’t understand or find boring!
I think it’s important to make the complex un-complicated, so everyone has an understanding as to how we are operating as a business overall and the importance of their role within the team when it comes to top-line performance.”
How do you empower and support other women in your organisation?
“I would like to think this is done in both a personal and professional way, for me these go hand in hand.
Offering guidance and support to peers as well as advice when navigating their career paths. Beyond mentorship, I also try and act as an advocate for my team by sharing their accomplishments and making sure they are put forward for opportunities when they arise.
I foster a supportive network and promote work-life balance. It's important to acknowledge that personal commitments can impact working life. I encourage the team to take breaks away from screens, log off on time, and prevent burnout.
Encouraging confidence and risk-taking—There is no such thing as a silly question! I encourage the team to speak up and ask if unsure. Every voice is important and helps to build confidence in their roles and themselves.”
What achievement are you most proud of?
“I had no prior knowledge or experience in the sector before joining two and a half years ago, so I’m incredibly proud of the progress I’ve made within that time. I’m also really proud of my team’s growth over the past year—everyone brings their own unique personality and strengths, creating a lively and energetic team full of great ideas! It’s been amazing to see the business go from strength to strength, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for NQual.”
What impact do you strive to make within your organisation and beyond?
“As a leader, I always strive to build an open culture where my team feels supported and confident. I believe in nurturing them to achieve their own goals, whether personal or work-focused. We spend so much time together, and I want them to feel confident that I have their best interests in mind when making decisions and planning for the future. I hope that this respect, not only for my team but for everyone I work with, has a positive impact on my organisation. I find NQual to be one of the most open, supportive, and adaptive organisations I have worked for, and I hope my own views and ways of working not only align with this culture but also contribute to its continued growth—for both the organisation as a whole and all the individuals within it.”
How do you empower and support other women in your organisation?
“Honestly, I strive to be as open and transparent as possible with those around me. I foster an environment where open discourse is encouraged, allowing team members to feel confident in voicing their ideas and opinions. I appreciate that everyone has their own unique experiences, and embracing that openness only enhances my own knowledge and growth. While I acknowledge the importance of boundaries, I also believe that a willingness to adapt is essential for maintaining a happy and productive team. You can never fully know what someone is going through, but I hope my team members feel assured that I will always support them to the best of my ability.”
What achievement are you most proud of?
“I’m proud of my personal growth over the past year—achieving new qualifications in a completely new industry with the support of my amazing team. I have done more than I thought I was capable of and that was due to those around me showing belief in me that I maybe at the time didn’t have in myself.”
What impact do you strive to make within your organisation and beyond?
“I strive to create an environment where inclusivity, innovation, and confidence thrive. Whether within my organisation or the wider industry, I aim to challenge barriers, advocate for equal opportunities, and inspire others to pursue leadership roles—regardless of gender. My focus is on leading by example, demonstrating that ambition and empathy can coexist, and fostering a culture where all voices are valued and heard.”
How do you empower and support other women in your organisation?
“I actively support women by providing guidance, sharing opportunities, and championing their ideas. Encouraging open conversations about challenges, celebrating successes, and fostering a supportive network ensures that women feel confident stepping into leadership roles themselves. Through mentoring, I am to be a leader who empowers women through collaboration and inspire others to reach their full potential.”
What achievement are you most proud of?
“One of my proudest achievements has been successfully transitioning from a career in teaching to a new path in assessing and quality assurance. Making such a shift required me to step outside my comfort zone. I’m proud not just of the transition itself, but of how I’ve been able to apply my experience in education to a new field—ensuring high standards, supporting others in their development, and contributing to continuous improvement. This journey has reinforced my belief that growth and change are always possible, and I hope it inspires others to embrace new opportunities with confidence.”
Empowering, Inspiring, and Celebrating Women
These women, and many others at NQual, exemplify leadership, resilience, and empowerment. Their stories are a reminder that no matter your role, you make an impact.
We hope that their words inspire others to reflect on their own achievements and to embrace their place in the professional world with confidence.
Let’s continue to celebrate, uplift, and empower women—not just on International Women’s Day, but every day.
To learn more about International Women's Day, visit the website provided below:
Be sure to check out our next post where we highlight the amazing women within our network that we work alongside.
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