Accelerating action: A Q&A with Hayley Sands for International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a time to celebrate the achievements of women, raise awareness of gender inequality, and take action to create a more inclusive world. This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, is a call to push forward – faster and more intentionally – toward gender parity.

At Sapphire, we are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone can unlock their ambition and reach their full potential, and we’re proud to highlight the voices of the incredible women who are driving change. We sat down with Hayley Sands, Customer Experience Team Leader, to talk about the importance of supporting women, overcoming challenges, and what it really means to Accelerate Action in the workplace.

Q: Hayley, can you tell us about a time when you felt supported by other women?

Hayley: I’m lucky to have been surrounded by strong, supportive women throughout my life – my two older sisters, my mum, and later, the amazing women I met at university and in my career. They’ve always pushed me to see my potential and helped shape who I am today.

That support has made all the difference. Whether it’s offering advice, encouragement, or just being there to listen, women lifting each other up is so important. It helps us build confidence and push ourselves further than we thought possible.

Q: Women in business – especially in finance – often face unique challenges. Have you experienced this in your career?

Hayley: Yes, I’ve definitely faced challenges. In a previous job, I wasn’t supported by the male leadership team and was treated unfairly. It felt like banging my head against a brick wall just trying to push for simple changes. It was exhausting. Eventually, I made the decision to leave because I knew I deserved better.

That experience taught me a lot about the kind of environment I wanted to be in. Now, working at Sapphire, I feel listened to and valued. It’s such a contrast to where I was before, and it’s made a huge difference in my confidence and ability to do my job well.

Q: What does the IWD 2025 theme, #AccelerateAction, mean to you?

Hayley: For me, it means keeping up the momentum and making sure that progress doesn’t stall. Women have always been a fundamental part of business, and we should never stop pushing for visibility, recognition, and fairness.

I’ve seen the shift happening at Sapphire, where the number of women in leadership roles has grown. That change matters because when more women are in decision-making positions, it ensures our voices are heard at every level.

Q: How do you empower other women in the workplace?

Hayley: I always encourage women to recognise their strengths and use them to build confidence in their work. I remind them that they have unique skills and perspectives that are valuable. Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, and when that happens, it’s important to keep going, find the humour in the situation, and learn from it.

One of the most empowering things we can do is help each other see our own potential. Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of encouragement from someone who believes in you to push you to that next level.

Q: What advice would you give to businesses looking to accelerate action for gender equality?

Hayley: Start by truly listening to your employees. If women feel undervalued, unheard, or unsupported, progress will be impossible. It’s also important to foster a workplace culture where achievements are recognised based on merit, not gender.

At Sapphire, I’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference it makes when employees are valued for what they bring to the table. When businesses create an environment where everyone feels heard and respected, they’ll see people thrive.

Q: What’s one thing we can all do to help #AccelerateAction this IWD?

Hayley: Support the women around you – whether that’s encouraging a colleague, challenging outdated mindsets, or advocating for fair opportunities. Small actions add up, and together, we can make a big difference.

This International Women’s Day, let’s all commit to taking action – big or small – to accelerate the journey toward true equality.