Fireside Chat: Driving Colleague Experience Through Inclusive Leadership & An Engaging Company Culture

23 Apr 2026
Supernova Stage
Leadership, Cybersecurity & Economy

The interviewer will ask the interviewee some of the following questions as well as asking the audience to ask some questions of their own

  • What key factors stand out for you in ensuring a successful colleague experience?
  • What does an engaging retail company culture look today and how do you go about achieving it at Ann Summers? 
  • What steps do you think retail leaders need to take to ensure they are truly inclusive?
  • What needs to happen for more CEOs of major retailers to be women in the UK? 
  • How can leaders make their employees feel more empowered even in a challenging economy?  
  • What are Ann Summers doing to ensure the safety of their colleagues in store in an environment of increased theft and abuse? 
  • What key lessons about retail leadership did you learn from the late Ann Summers pioneer and Executive Chair Jacqueline Gold? 
  • How do you see colleague experience and retail leadership evolving over the next three years in general? 
  • What are you most excited about for Ann Summers future? 
Host
Kate Hardcastle MBE
Kate Hardcastle MBE, The Customer Whisperer & Broadcaster - Hardcastle Collective 
Speakers
Maria Hollins
Maria Hollins, Chief Executive Officer - Ann Summers