This week we’re taking a moment to celebrate the incredible women who shape our businesses, families and communities in advance of International Women’s Day on 8th March.  

From colleagues who drive success every day to family members who support and inspire, their contributions make a lasting impact. This week, we recognise their achievements and the vital role they play in every part of life. 

Who has inspired you in your career or business journey? 

Read about three inspirational women’s stories and learn from their advice: 

Rachel Aston – Head of Marketing, Jensten 

Rachel Aston’s passion for marketing started early, and she wasted no time turning it into a thriving career. After earning her marketing degree, she landed a role at a US tech company and quickly climbed the ranks to become Marketing Manager by 25. From leading international events to running large-scale campaigns, she gained invaluable experience—but craved a more dynamic and inspiring industry. 

Her next step took her to Shop Direct (Very & Littlewoods), where she honed her skills in B2C marketing, content strategy, and creative agency management. Then, in 2007, she joined Bollington Insurance as Marketing Manager. Within just three years, she was promoted to Head of Marketing, and by 2014, she became the youngest and only the second female member to be appointed to the Executive Board. She built a high-performing marketing team from the ground up, introduced game-changing digital strategies, and played a key role in major business transformations—including mergers, acquisitions, and private equity investment. 

After a brief stint at UK Fuels, Rachel joined Jensten as Head of Marketing in 2023, where she now leads a dynamic marketing function, driving brand growth and innovation. 

While her journey has been filled with achievements, it hasn’t been without its challenges. Rachel has faced gender biases, pay disparities, and the loneliness that sometimes comes with senior leadership. Without many female mentors in her field, she had to carve her own path—powered by resilience, self-belief, and sheer determination. 

Her advice for women in insurance?

“Back yourself. Know your worth, build a strong network of allies, and remember—you don’t need to be the loudest in the room to make an impact.” 

For this year’s International Women’s Day, Rachel believes real change happens when we champion women in leadership—not just by opening doors, but by making sure women are seen, heard, and valued at every level. The more we celebrate female success stories, the more we inspire future generations to break barriers and thrive. 

Joanne Slater – Group Operations Director, Jensten 

Joanne Slater’s career journey began at HSBC, where she joined the graduate training programme straight out of university. Her first major role in project management set the foundation for what would become a 20-year career in the insurance industry. She has since worked across brokers and MGAs in a variety of operational and project management roles, including a decade as a contractor—an experience that gave her valuable insight into different businesses, leadership styles, and the common challenges across the industry. 

Like many high achievers, Joanne has faced challenges along the way. In her late 20s, her pursuit of perfection and concern for others’ perceptions took a toll on her health, forcing her to step back and reassess. Ironically, slowing down and letting go of the need to always be right led to greater productivity and better results—an invaluable lesson in resilience and balance. 

Her drive comes from a deep desire to make her family proud. Her parents worked hard to provide her with opportunities, and she has always been determined to make the most of them. Beyond career success, she also found a love for travel, which became a personal motivator—working hard to enjoy the experiences she values most. Along the way, she’s been fortunate to work under strong leaders, learning from both their successes and mistakes, and seizing opportunities by demonstrating a willingness to learn and adapt. 

For women in insurance looking to grow their careers, Joanne’s advice is simple but powerful:  “Be yourself”. 

She encourages women to shed outdated pressures to conform and instead build confidence through networking, seeking support, and taking bold steps—even if they feel daunting at first. She recalls the fear of asking for her first pay rise but highlights how the experience made the next conversation easier, proving that confidence grows with action. 

For this year’s International Women’s Day, Joanne believes in the power of networks:

“The strength of shared experiences, mentoring, and coaching from those who’ve “been there, done that” can be game-changing. By supporting each other, women in the industry can break barriers faster, make braver decisions, and ultimately drive real change.” 

Carla Preston – Managing Director, Robert Gerrard 

Carla Preston’s journey in insurance began at just 16 when she joined her family’s brokerage, Robert Gerrard. Back then, the business was a small operation run by her parents, turning over £400k with just six employees—most of them family. Working across all areas of the business, she quickly became known as “Control,” a nickname that reflected her hands-on approach and deep understanding of how a brokerage operates. 

Carla truly grasped the power of a well-structured team, a clear vision, and strong leadership. This experience gave her the confidence and strategy to take Robert Gerrard to the next level. Today, she is leading the business towards ambitious growth, with a goal of 25 employees by 2026. 

While she knows Robert Gerrard inside out, Carla firmly believes that success comes from having the right team, all working towards the same goal. Her biggest challenges have been implementing change and ensuring she has the right people “on the bus”—but she knows that company culture is the foundation of any thriving business. 

Her advice for women in business?

“Find the right culture, work hard, and chase knowledge, not money. Maximise opportunities by being present in the office, look for ways to stand out, and be patient—success doesn’t happen overnight.” 

For Carla, one thing is certain: teamwork makes the dream work.