The theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is Give to Gain, a reminder that when we give generously, we don’t lose anything. We amplify possibility. We multiply strength. We help create environments where women can rise, contribute fully and feel genuinely supported.

At Venture, this is more than a concept, it’s something we see in action every day. And no one embodies this more consistently than Emma Crabb, our HR & Operations Director, whose leadership is grounded in generosity, empathy and the belief that when people feel valued, they flourish. As a senior woman in a highly technical industry, Emma’s leadership also shows how visibility, voice and support can widen the path for others.

Leading with Experience, Heart and Integrity

At Venture, Emma plays a pivotal role in shaping our internal culture. She champions Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), supports wellbeing, builds operational clarity and aligns people and processes with our business goals. Her work is invisible in the best way, stitched into the everyday experiences of our people, influencing how we treat one another, how we collaborate and how we show up as a team.

Emma is a genuine example of what “Give to Gain” means for our team.

In the spirit of this year’s theme, we spent time with Emma to explore the small moments, instincts and values that shape her leadership, and how her quiet generosity influences Venture’s culture every day.

Listening as Leadership

One of the threads that runs through Emma’s career is her belief in listening, not as a grand gesture, but as a steady, intentional practice. She pays attention to the small signals people give off, especially when workloads are high or pace is demanding.

This awareness creates an environment where people feel able to bring their best, knowing someone is paying attention even when they haven’t spelled out what they need. It’s a grounded expression of Give to Gain: offering a moment of support so someone else can move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Culture in the Everyday

Emma feels most connected to Venture’s culture in the everyday interactions that often go unnoticed. It’s not the formal programmes that stand out, but the smaller gestures people make toward one another.

Culture, in her view, is something demonstrated consistently, not declared. The steady willingness to look out for one another, without fanfare, is a version of Give to Gain that feels very Venture. It’s culture as practice, not performance.

Noticing What’s Not Said

Another aspect of Emma’s leadership is her ability to pick up on the signals people don’t always voice. It’s something she’s developed over years of working closely with teams, and, as she admits, through life experience too.

Being a mum of three boys has also sharpened that awareness over the years. “You learn to notice when something feels “off” long before it’s said out loud, a skill that naturally transfers into the workplace.”

This attentiveness helps ensure people don’t slip through the cracks when pressure rises or priorities shift. It’s a quiet but important form of giving, offering awareness and steadiness at the right moment.

Inclusion in the Small Decisions

For Emma, inclusion isn’t defined by big statements, it’s shaped in everyday interactions. She pays attention to the subtle signals that can influence whether someone feels they belong:

These small but meaningful behaviours reinforce a workplace where voices are respected and contributions acknowledged. It’s another way Give to Gain comes to life: giving someone space or recognition, and gaining a stronger, more connected team in return.

Generosity in Action

When Emma reflects on moments that have stood out recently, one example comes to mind straightaway: Venture’s Future Talent Scheme Assessment Day. It wasn’t the scale of the event that struck her, but the way people across Venture showed up for it.

Colleagues offered their time, energy and encouragement not because they were asked to, but because they wanted to. It revealed a culture where stepping in for one another is instinctive. And as Emma looks ahead, she hopes for even more of this, especially time together in person.

Supporting Women to Thrive

A central part of Emma’s role, and one that aligns closely with the spirit of International Women’s Day, is creating an environment where women at Venture feel able to grow, contribute and be seen. With women now representing 28% of our team, in an industry where female representation remains low, progress is real but ongoing.

Her approach is practical and consistent: creating the day to day conditions that help women feel confident and supported. It’s Give to Gain made real, giving women opportunity and visibility and gaining the strength that comes from diverse perspectives.

Giving as a Cultural Practice

As we celebrate International Women’s Day and the Give to Gain theme, Emma’s reflections remind us that generosity in leadership isn’t defined by big gestures. It’s shaped in day‑to‑day decisions, listening carefully, noticing when someone needs support, making space for different voices and showing up for each other when it counts.

These are the behaviours that strengthen teams, build trust and create an environment where people can do their best work. They’re also the qualities we want to continue nurturing across Venture, not just on International Women’s Day, but every day.

Emma’s approach shows what Give to Gain can look like in practice, and how much impact small, intentional acts can have on the culture we build together.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women across Venture who lead, shape and strengthen our culture, and those who, like Emma, show how generosity can open doors for others.