Devon County Council has one of the highest percentages of female leaders in the UK with women making up 70 per cent of its Strategic Leadership Team
As the world marks International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March 2026, the authority is celebrating the significant contribution of women across its organisation in every team and every service, every day.
Women make up 72 per cent of Devon County Council’s workforce and play a vital role in shaping and delivering essential services that make a difference to the people of Devon. They’re leading teams, solving problems, supporting colleagues and bringing insight, resilience and commitment to their work.
Seven of the nine directors are women, heading up major service portfolios including adult social care, climate change, transport, finance, legal and democratic services, under their female Chief Executive. This leadership profile is a stark contrast to national trends, where across major UK organisations, women hold only around 35 per cent of leadership roles.
Give to Gain
This year’s global theme for International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, celebrates the power of generosity, and reminds us that progress towards gender equality isn’t achieved through individual effort alone. It emphasises that giving support whether through time, mentoring, resources or advocacy, expands opportunities and has a ripple effect.
This aligns strongly with the Council’s own core value of collaboration, which acknowledges that when employees and communities support one another, share knowledge and lift each other up, everyone benefits.
Across the council, women are giving their time, support, knowledge, resources and care to one another and to the communities they serve. They’re creating supportive teams and helping shape an environment where people can thrive. The impact of this can be seen in stronger services, better decision-making, greater opportunities and a workplace built on trust and inclusion.
Flexible by default
National research shows that flexible working is vital to women’s participation in the workforce and to reducing the gender pay gap. A cornerstone of Devon County Council’s approach is being flexible by default. From day one, all employees can request a wide range of flexible working patterns, such as agile working, flexitime, compressed hours and annualised hours.
This approach helps remove barriers that can disproportionately impact women and supports employees who balance work with caring responsibilities. It also encourages men to take advantage of flexible working and family friendly policies, helping to challenge gendered expectations around care.
Furthermore, it creates a stable, inclusive environment where employees feel safe, supported and able to progress on merit, and talent is retained and developed, which benefits everyone, regardless of their gender.
On International Women’s Day, and everyday
Devon County Council continues to build a workplace where women not only thrive, but where their wellbeing and professional growth are recognised as essential to the success of the organisation and the communities it serves.
There’s a commitment to ensuring that women feel able to contribute fully, and that their talent is recognised and developed through continuing to champion flexible working, supporting career development, addressing barriers where they exist, and making sure women have the space and support to lead and influence.
The high proportion of female staff throughout the organisation demonstrates that Devon County Council remains an employer of choice for women across the county.
By combining practical flexibility with a clear focus on inclusion and progression, the council is building a workforce that reflects the communities it serves and a culture in which women can excel, today, on International Women’s Day, and every day.