This call to action was voiced by HRH Princess Annemarie de Bourbon de Parme during our NBCC International Women’s Day Event 2025 at Unilever. “There is no better time than now to commit to Anchoring our achievements so far in only fifty years and then further Accelerating action for gender parity. We could call this the Agenda for Triple A.”
At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.
At NBCC International Women’s Day Event 2025, we therefore embraced this spirit under the theme "Accelerate Action." Together, we reflected on progress, barriers to overcome, and concrete actions we can take to drive gender equality forward, not tomorrow, but TODAY.
Her Excellency Joanna Roper CMG, UK Ambassador to the Netherlands, reinforced this call to action: "Equality isn’t just a goal; it’s a necessity for a thriving society. Every step forward counts."
Thank you to our amazing speakers, great role models for all of us:
- Heba Bevan, OBE – CEO, UtterBerry LTD & Chair, NBCC
- Robert Metzke – SVP & Global Head of Sustainability, Philips & Vice Chair, NBCC
- Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen – Chair, SER Topvrouwen & Non-Executive Director, Siemens & MN
- Robbert de Vreede – General Manager Foods Europe & Head of Country Netherlands, Unilever
- Jennifer English – Global Brand Director for Johnnie Walker, Diageo
- Anne Le Guellec – Director of International Enterprise, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken
- Virginia Yanquilevich – CEO, Dopper
- Janine Vos – Managing Board Member & CHRO, Rabobank
- Geraldine Beker-Bouma – Country Director Benelux, Meta
- Joanna Price – Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, The HEINEKEN Company
Special mention to:
Afke Van de Klashorst, VP Digital, Media & eCommerce, Unilever, our brilliant moderator.
Wunmi Ademosu, Brigitte Goderie, Ariette Trouw, Deniz Yapmis and Muthia Meilania for their unwavering support behind the scenes.
Now, let’s turn inspiration into action:
- NBCC Woman of the Year Award: Nominate a changemaker!
- NBCC Mentoring Programme – Support & uplift future leaders in professional and personal development.
- Join us! – Be part of a network that drives real change.
A heartfelt thank you to Unilever for hosting this energizing event and to our valued partners Diageo, BAM UK & Ireland and Unilever for their continued commitment to gender equality.
History remembers those who take action. Let’s be the generation that doesn’t wait 130 years—but makes equality a reality now.