Breakfast at Downing Street: Larry the Cat, Bold Women, and a Mission to Change Who Holds Power

Natalie Collins
2 hours ago
3 min read

Our CEO Natalie reflects on her visit to London this week.

Today I met Larry the Cat in 10 Downing Street.

Never in my life did I imagine that I would type those words! But here we are!

Courtesy of the brilliant Agenda Alliance, of which Own My Life is a member, I was part of a badass contingent of women from across England discussion with Jess Phillips and civil servants how to get more women into positions of power.

I didn’t really know what a public appointment was a fortnight ago. But it turns out there are 4,000 opportunitites for people to sit on Boards and make decisions that affect many of our lives. Current public appointment vacancies include being on a Board for the National Lottery, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, the Budget Responsibility Committee, and the Court of the Bank of England.

The public appointments process is opaque and unwieldly; which has meant the roles are mostly give to old, white men. And while these men may be very lovely and very well-intended (or not!), the evidence is unignorable; diverse teams make better decisions. They may take longer to get there, with those who increase that diversity needing good support to avoid becoming a “sacrificial diversity lamb” , but diversity does make Boards much better.

Which is how I found myself greeting Larry the Cat this morning as I made my way through the very fancy and very old corridors of Downing Street to have breakfast and discuss how to diversify Public Appointments. I loved listening to women like Sofia Buncy from the Muslim Women in Prison Project, Amy Van Zyl from Her Circle and Siobhan Collingwood from Lancashire Women, all offering important perspectives on changing systems for women.

The night before I had also spent time with a brilliant bunch of women. Our magnificent Partnership Development lead Victoria Mason had convened a wonderful gathering of women in Central London and I enjoyed a delicious dinner with pioneering and passionate women from the police, probation, media, education, civil service and charities. We even enjoyed the fancy roof terrace, with beautiful views and an opportunity for both Victoria and I to share a few words to cheer everyone on. I particularly appreciated the fabulous Saira who was hugely enthusaistic about the glossiness of the Downing Street door. I wasn’t quite sure what she meant, but then today, I too was vocally admiring the shininess of the door!

After Downing Street, Victoria had also organised a lunch and learn for Met Police Officers and others. Speaking alongside Victoria and the inimitable Viran Wiltshire (who has pioneered Own My Life being offered to all female officers and staff in the Met Police, see more HERE) and episode 7 of our podcast HERE), I explained our Own My Life approach of: Validate. Regulate. Celebrate! This model is as helpful for supporting victims of crimes as it is for each of us in our personal lives. It was a great session and I was grateful to all those who joined us. I finished with a snippet of Lover Liar Predator and was soon whizzing my way back to Kings Cross, ably guided by Doris, Met Police Officer and Own My Life facilitator.