To mark International Women’s Day, we asked some of the brilliant women at Byfield to share their reflections on what the day means to them, how support and advocacy have shaped their careers, and why championing one another still matters in today’s workplace. From those just starting out to those in leadership roles, their answers highlight the power of collaboration, encouragement and collective progress and the role we all play in building a more supportive and inclusive profession.
Beth Durkin, Director
Q. From a leadership perspective, how important is it to actively champion and support women in the workplace?
Effective championing starts with creating a culture where performance and potential are consistently recognised and supported through meaningful opportunities for development and progression – both within roles and through the organisation.
At Byfield, we set high standards and expect excellence, while ensuring opportunities, feedback and credit are shared fairly, transparently and promptly. That’s what underpins a high-achieving culture where advancement is genuinely open to all.
In that context, supporting women in the workplace is about clarity: being explicit about what good looks like, encouraging ambition, and rewarding real impact. When expectations are high and applied consistently, and progression is tied to contribution, we create an environment where people can thrive on merit. Just as important is a culture of candour: open dialogue, active listening and a shared commitment to enabling one another to succeed.
Leadership’s role is to build and protect that environment — where ambition is encouraged, inclusion is intentional, and results matter.
Q. What advice would you give to women at the beginning of their careers about building confidence and backing others along the way?
I’ve always found that confidence comes from a combination of preparation and exposure to new challenges. When you’re well prepared, you execute well, while growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.
Be ambitious about your development and embrace feedback. Constructive challenge isn’t a setback; it’s how you improve. The people who progress fastest are those who actively seek input, reflect on it and, crucially, apply it.
It’s also important to be generous with advice, encouragement and perspective – embrace the idea that feedback is a gift. At Byfield, teamwork makes us greater than the sum of our parts. Colleagues who support one another and share insight raise standards collectively. Everyone, at every level, brings a unique perspective and the ability to make an impact — lean into that, contribute confidently and back those around you.
Strong individual performance matters. But the best outcomes come from leveraging the strength of a team. Combine preparation with ambition, openness to feedback and a commitment to others’ success, and you’ll build both confidence and a rewarding career you can be proud of.
Ase Anifowose, Senior Account Executive
Q. As someone earlier in your career, how do you view International Women’s Day?
As someone earlier in my career, International Women’s Day is a moment to reflect on the women who have inspired and supported me from my education and through to my career now at Byfield. Having strong female role models and supportive peers around you makes a real difference when you’re starting out, and it’s encouraging to see so many examples of women championing each other’s growth and success. For me, it’s also a reminder of how important it is to keep fostering that culture of support for the next generation.
Q. Have you experienced a moment at Byfield where someone’s encouragement helped build your confidence?
One of the things I’ve really valued at Byfield is the trust and responsibility I’ve been given, even at an early stage in my career. My colleagues encourage me to put forward my ideas, contribute to client discussions, and take the lead on certain pieces of work. That vote of confidence makes a real difference.
Darshini Arunachalam, Account Manager
Q. Why do you think International Women’s Day still matters in today’s workplace?
Bias in the workplace unfortunately still exists. It’s rarely intentional and it doesn’t usually appear as a clear policy or a deliberate decision to treat someone differently. More often, it shows up in subtle ways, such as language used during performance reviews, assumptions about ambition, or in who gets described as “leadership material”. A common example is how women are often described as “abrasive” or “too direct” when displaying behaviours that would be praised as confident or decisive in male colleagues. That’s why I think International Women’s Day still matters today – it creates space to reflect on these dynamics and continue pushing for workplaces where people are evaluated fairly and supported to progress.
Q. How have you seen collaboration and mutual support shape your experience at Byfield?
One of Byfield’s greatest strengths is collaboration. I joined as a graduate with absolutely no knowledge of the legal industry, and now almost three years in, I’d say I’m a little more knowledgeable. A lot of that is thanks to the people around me who have patiently answered my many questions along the way. The senior members of the team are always approachable. Whether it’s a quick Teams message or a call, they’re never far away. Getting regular feedback and understanding how things can be done better is something I really value. It also means I’ve learned that my first draft is rarely my best draft, which is a humbling but useful lesson.
A lot of the projects and opportunities we work on are a joint effort. My experience so far has been shaped by the advice and support of colleagues across the team. Whether it’s internal discussions, client meetings, networking events or journalist briefings, there’s always a sense that everyone is working together. It makes the work more enjoyable and it definitely makes the learning curve a little less steep.