Thank you to all who took part in the inaugural Financial Times Women at the Top event on November 16. We'd especially like to thank: 
 
  • Christine Lagarde, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry and Employment for France

  • Cherie Blair, Founder, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women

  • Guler Sabanci, Chairman and Managing Director, Sabanci Holding

  • Nancy McKinstry, CEO & Chairman, Wolters Kluwer

  • Dr Nahed Taher, Founder and CEO, Gulf One Investment Bank
  • Birna Einarsdóttir, CEO, Íslandsbanki
  • Vinita Bali, Managing Director, Britannia Industries Ltd
  • Fernando Beccalli-Falco, President and CEO, GE International
  • Damien O'Brien, Chairman, Egon Zehnder International 
Congratulations to Zaha Hadid for winning the FT Recognition of Excellence for her achievement as one of the world's leading architects. Ms Hadid was selected by senior FT editors, in consultation with the FT Top 50 Women in Business judging panel as part of a parallel FT initiative to recognise one leading woman annually for excellence outside the corporate arena.
 
If you wish to read more about the Women at the Top initiative and, specifically, our ranking of the Top
50 Women in World Business, I encourage you to visit our website - www.ft.com/womenatthetop - and seek out the interactive features about the ranking, the blog, slideshow and videos of some of the top women CEOs. If you're a Twitter enthusiast, please follow us @ftwomenatthetop, which should alert you to blog updates.

Overview
The inaugural Financial Times Women at the Top Conference and Dinner is timed to coincide with the announcement and publication of the FT 2010 Top 50 Women in the World Business Ranking. 

The conference and dinner will gather world-class thought leaders and decision-makers to discuss the role of women in business and to celebrate female leaders worldwide. 

The global economic crisis has challenged businesses to rethink and reshape management practices...

As corporations look forward to recovery, it is essential that they capitalise on the contributions that women can make.

For decades, women’s advancement has been linked to issues of fairness and equality. More recently though, attention has focused on the distinctive abilities of women leaders, their competitive edge and how their presence can assure the financial success of the companies they manage. 

There is a mounting body of research showing the relationship between women in leadership roles and positive corporate performance. Despite all the gains that women have made in the workplace, their number in the senior ranks of companies is still very low. Only 3% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women. Some 12 % of directors on FTSE 100 boards are women. Across Europe, women account for only 10% of the membership of board of directors and the number is even lower in Asia and Africa.  These figures highlight the need to create opportunities to foster greater participation of women on corporate boards and in executive positions. In today’s changing global environment, where a range of backgrounds, abilities and experience is critical, increasing the number of women at the highest echelons of management can only lead to more profitable, innovative and sustainable corporations.

At this crucial time, the Financial Times and Rolex are proud to host a half-day conference to discuss the role of women in business in the wake of the crisis, the impact of their increasing participation in global economic growth, and their legacy as drivers of innovation in the emerging world.  

Registration
Attendance at the 2010 Women at the Top Conference and Dinner is by invitation-only. Additional senior applicants will be considered for invitation subject to the availability of places. To apply for a place click here