A list of 50 Women to Watch in the cultural and creative sector was released by the Cultural Leadership Programme. It celebrates 'female leaders, directors, producers and curators who are already making a huge contribution to the rich cultural life of the UK, and have the potential to rise to the very top.' Even though most women in the list are director of not-for profit institutions, there are some for profit business leaders on the list:

Sophie Thomas, Founder and MD of thomas.matthews Design. "Sophie’s commitment to integrate systemic sustainable practice through all areas of the studio’s work has put thomas.matthews at the leading edge of their field. Over the past twelve years she has lead and delivered a vast array of award winning projects across the world".

Hermione Way of Newspepper and Techfluff tv. "Hermione is a journalist and new media entrepreneur with an impressive track record in establishing innovative businesses, promoting entrepreneurship and encouraging more women to become involved in technology. Started in the second year of her journalism degree, Newspepper.com, her first venture, is a video production company with a difference; it employs students and graduate filmmakers and journalists thus providing them with much-needed vocational work experience."

Siobhan Bales, Entrepreneur and MD of bgroup and bdaily business news service. "Siobhán has not only established her businesses in a largely male dominated business sector but has been a mover and shaker in bringing leaders from diverse sectors together to talk and share concerns and aspirations for business, culture and life in the North East of England."

In the coming years, these ‘Women to Watch’ will be leading the way in design, libraries, literature, museums, heritage, music, performing and visual arts, the historic environment and creative businesses; redressing the gender balance at senior leadership levels in the cultural and creative sector.

The list includes five women in dance; six in music; five in design, branding and digital media; five in theatre; eight in literature and libraries and four in museums and heritage.

Report on the Cultural Sector: Women are underrepresented

The list has come about after a report which found great gender inequality in the cultural sector. One of the conclusions in the report was that figures demonstrate clearly that men predominantly lead the sector. Although there are some variations amongst sub-sectors, Design and Cultural Heritage for example, an average of 65% of all organisations have no female representation on the management team.

Other findings were:

• Across the creative and cultural sector there are 32,800 female leaders and 82,450 male leaders. This means that for every 1 female leader in the sector there are 2.5 male leaders.
• Compared to their male counterparts, female leaders are more likely to have worked exclusively in the creative and cultural sector; to have high qualifications; and to have worked on a part-time basis. They are generally younger than their male counterparts.
• 23% of businesses (18,890) in the creative and cultural sector have an all female management team, compared to 13% of all businesses across the UK. However, 65% of all creative and cultural businesses have an all male management team, compared to 48% across the UK.
• A higher proportion of female executives lead a micro or small business with 86% leading 0-10 employees, compared to 78% of males. Only 7% of female executives lead businesses with 20+ employees, compared to 13% of male executives.

The list aims to inspire women and the future generation to aspire more leadership roles.

For the full list, see Women to Watch.

• Bridget Nicholls
• Claire Whitaker
• Carol Bell
• Cathy Woolley
• Claire Cunningham
• Clare Hudson
• Daisy Heath
• Delia Barker
• Emma Stenning
• Emma Underhill
• Freda Matassa
• Gail Parmel
• Geraldine Collinge
• Helen MacNamara
• Hermione Way
• Indy Hunjan
• Jane Finnis
• Jacqui O’Hanlon
• Jenni Lewin-Turner
• Juliana Farha
• Julie Tait
• Kate Bellamy
• Kate McGrath
• Laura Sillars
• Liz Pugh
• Lucy Worsley
• Dr Maria Balshaw
• Maria Oshodi
• Maxine Miller
• Melanie Abrahams
• Moira Buffini
• Nike Jonah
• Pim Baxter
• Purni Morell
• Rachel Holmes
• Rachel Millward
• Rebecca Dawson
• Roanne Dods
• Ruth Daniel
• Ruth Gill
• Ruth Gould
• Sally Goldsworthy
• Sarah Munro
• Seonaid Daly
• Sharnita K Athwal
• Sharon Watson
• Siobhán Bales
• Sophie Thomas
• Theresa Heskins
• Vanessa Reed