We Are PoWEr has announced the formation of a new Advocacy Collective, bringing together ASDA, EY, KPMG and Alliance Manchester Business School to accelerate progress on gender equality across the North. The collective has been established to champion and amplify the role of male allies who are actively advocating for a more inclusive society.

In 2024, We Are PoWEr launched the Advocacy List as part of the Northern PoWEr Women Awards to highlight men who champion equality and inspire others to step forward. Two years on, the list is continuing to grow and currently includes 73 advocates who are actively promoting gender equality, such as Sir Roger March OBE DL.

The partnership was unveiled at the 2026 Northern PoWEr Women Awards on Thursday, 12th March at Manchester Central Convention Complex, which saw a record-breaking 1,800 nominations. Members of the Advocacy Collective joined the celebration and helped welcome this year’s Advocacy List Game Changers to the stage.

The Northern PoWEr Women Awards, Europe’s largest celebration of gender equality, provided a platform to highlight the impact of allyship and the importance of collective responsibility in advancing equity. On the night of the awards’ 10th anniversary, it was also revealed that the We Are PoWEr community has generated £12.3 million in social value.

Through the Advocacy Collective, We Are PoWEr and its partners aim to work collaboratively and elevate visible role models as well as create a stronger network of advocates committed to challenging inequality and opening opportunities for others.

We Are PoWEr’s CEO/ Founder, Simone Roche MBE said the initiative marks an important step forward in engaging allies to act as drivers of change:

“Gender equality is a collective responsibility.

The Advocacy Collective brings together organisations that recognise the influence they have and work to create change. This group embodies allyship and is strongly committed to using their platforms to support others.

By spotlighting our male allies and celebrating those who are taking action, we are helping to build workplaces where opportunity is more equal, leadership is more representative and progress is shared.”

Representatives from the founding organisations reinforced the importance of partnership in driving long-term impact, highlighting the role businesses play in fostering inclusive cultures and supporting diverse talent pipelines.

The launch builds on We Are PoWEr’s wider mission to create change through leadership development, advocacy and community engagement across the North.

As We Are PoWEr enters its second decade, the Advocacy Collective will play a key role in expanding the reach and impact of its advocacy work, ensuring that allyship remains visible, valued and embedded throughout our culture.

For more information visit:  https://wearepower.net/advocacy