Something powerful happens when the right women come together in one room and that’s exactly what the Women on Top Summit 2026 is all about. Returning to Edinburgh on Thursday 24th September, the full day event brings its biggest and boldest line-up yet, designed to inspire, challenge and move things forward.
It's taking place at the iconic Assembly Rooms Edinburgh and you can expect incredible speakers, practical workshops and plenty of opportunities to connect. Alongside this, 100s of women at different stages of life and business coming together with a shared sense that something is shifting. It's going to be epic.
Whether you’re a founder, freelancer, professional, on maternity leave or simply figuring out your next move, the day is designed to leave you feeling clearer, more confident and quietly motivated.
This year’s theme, Own Your Voice, runs through everything. It's about being heard, but also about backing yourself, making decisions with clarity and showing up fully in work and life.
The names everyone will be talking about
This year’s Women on Top Summit speakers are not just impressive on paper. They are shaping real conversations across business, media and beyond. These are the people who make you think differently, not just feel inspired in the moment. So, let’s introduce our keynote speakers…
Anna Whitehouse
Anna, also known as Mother Pukka, is a journalist, best-selling author, Mum Influencer, podcaster and radio presenter. She has built a loyal audience of over 470k on Instagram. She’s the kind of friend everyone wants. Always in your corner. Always ready to lift you up. Your biggest cheerleader.
Anna is a leading campaigner for flexible working. She has taken the conversation from social media all the way to Parliament. Her work has changed how companies think about working parents and modern careers.
[Photo by Charlotte Gray]
Alicia Teltz
Alicia is a former Global Client Executive at LinkedIn and a long-time B2B tech sales leader. She now runs The Hype Department which helps founders and leaders build visibility that is strategic, authentic and effective.
She sold out our Women on Top LinkedIn edition at The Balmoral Hotel earlier this year. Now she’s back to share more insider tips. Expect practical advice on how to grow your LinkedIn presence and turn it into real commercial results.
Maxine and Darcy Laceby
The brilliant mother-and-daughter duo behind Absolute Collagen, Maxine and Darcy Laceby have turned a kitchen-table idea into a hugely successful British wellness and skincare brand, with more than 100,000 customers and turnover exceeding £30 million.
And their story is a cracker. Maxine started Absolute Collagen in 2017, at the age of 50, after experimenting with collagen-rich bone broth at home. She joined forces with daughter Darcy, who was studying food science and product development, and together they created the marine collagen product that would become Absolute Collagen.
A business started at 50. A mother and daughter building it side by side. And one kitchen-table idea that became a multimillion-pound brand. We can’t wait to hear how their story at the Summit, what they’ve learned along the way and, importantly, what it’s really like building a family business together.
Bethan Higson
Edinburgh-born Bethan Higson is the founder of Mother Root, the award-winning alcohol-free aperitif brand shaking up the way we drink and socialise.
After a decade working in the wine industry, Bethan became pregnant with her first child and realised something pretty simple: if you weren’t drinking alcohol, there wasn’t much worth drinking. So, she started experimenting at her kitchen table with apple cider vinegar, ginger and honey, inspired by a recipe for 17th-century drinking vinegars. First she made it for herself, then family, then friends started asking for more.
But here’s the bit we love… it took Bethan three years to find the confidence to sell it beyond her own kitchen.
That gap between knowing you have a good idea and actually having the courage to put it out into the world? It’s something so many founders will recognise. Bethan eventually took the leap, and Mother Root has since grown into one of the UK’s most exciting names in the alcohol-free space.
What to expect on the day
The Summit will be energising and inspiring, without ever becoming overwhelming. The day begins with coffee and pastries as you arrive, giving you time to settle in and start conversations naturally.
From there, the day unfolds through a mix of talks, workshops and moments to connect. You’ll hear practical insights you can take away and use straight away, and just as importantly, you’ll meet people who understand where you are and where you want to go. Expect laughter, hugs, storytelling and those impromptu conversations that often become the most meaningful.
There will be lunch and refreshments throughout the day, along with time to browse and shop products from an inspiring group of women-led exhibitors in The Exchange Hall, the hub of the day. This year, we’re also introducing dedicated wellness areas, so you can step away when you need to take a breath and have a moment to relax or reflect.
The Exchange Hall itself is part of the experience. It brings together founders, freelancers, professionals, women returning to work, those starting something new, and those simply looking for a fresh start or new connections. There’s no single path here, just a shared sense of growth and possibility.
Meaningful connections, not forced networking
Women’s networking, but not as you know it. There’s no pressure here to perform or to collect contacts. It’s relaxed, unhurried, genuine and often more meaningful than expected. It’s a space where connections feel easy, and where friendships can form just as readily as professional ones.
This year, we’re also introducing business matchmaking, a more intentional way to connect you with the right people. Whether you’re seeking collaborators, clients, or simply like-minded women, the focus is on quality over quantity.
Discover and showcase women led brands
A highlight of the day is The Exchange Hall, a curated space where you can discover products and services from across the egg community. It’s the place to meet the founders behind the brands, hear their stories and support businesses built by women who are doing things their own way.
Want to exhibit, demo, sell, or sample your products here and get them in front of 300+ women, business owners, founders and decision-makers? Drop us an email at [email protected]. We'd love to have you involved.
Thoughtful touches that make a difference
A lot of care goes into shaping a day that feels genuinely welcoming, and every detail is considered with that in mind. From delicious food and proper time to pause, to a closing celebration that brings everyone together, the experience is designed to feel as enjoyable as it is valuable.
Free childcare is available on site thanks to Lothian Childcare Solutions, making it easier to attend without compromise. We also offer a limited number of subsidised tickets for those who might otherwise find it difficult to join, helping to keep the event accessible at every stage.
If you are currently unemployed, on maternity leave or in between roles, you are welcome to apply for one of these tickets. Please get in touch with your request.
Stay connected beyond the day
Your Women on Top Summit ticket also gives you access to The Lounge, the digital home of the egg Business Club. It is where conversations start before the event and continue long after, making it easier to build real relationships rather than one off connections.
Why this is the moment to book
If you’ve been before, you’ll know how quickly tickets go. Last year sold out, and this year is set to be no different.
If this is your first time, take this as your sign not to miss it. Not because it promises instant transformation, but because it puts you in the kind of room where new ideas, opportunities and connections happen naturally.
Women on Top Summit 2026 takes place at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on Thursday 24th September, from 10am to 5pm, with registration from 9:15am. Sometimes the most powerful step is simply showing up.
Tickets for the Women on Top Summit 2026 are available here.
Tickets are £160, or £140 if you’re a Business or Social member. You can also join The Lounge to access the discounted ticket price. Login to your egg account to access your discount before purchasing. Not a member yet? Join today and enjoy the discounted rate.
For subsidised tickets, please email us.
Huge thanks to this year's Summit sponsors:
Here’s some of the brilliant businesses you can expect to find in The Exchange this year:
