INSIGHTS / Blog

This March, we’re celebrating International Women’s Day by spotlighting the women driving innovation across the SETsquared partnership, showcasing the breadth of roles, journeys and impact across the ecosystem.

As conversations around female leadership in innovation evolve, the focus is shifting from representation to acceleration. Sarah Shaw, who took part in Innovate UK’s women-only ICURe Discover programme delivered by SETsquared and is Director of The Logistics Institute at the University of Hull, feels the question is no longer about potential, but about scale: how do we unlock even greater impact for women in innovation?

My journey hasn’t been linear – it’s been fulfilling

I didn’t set out to build a career in logistics and supply chain. With a background in Biology, I initially imagined a very different professional path; however, when I joined Arco as a logistics administrator, I quickly realised how dynamic and strategically important the sector was.

What began as an entry-level operational role evolved into something much bigger. I was challenged to think critically, lead confidently and adapt quickly, progressing through various roles to become Head of Transport, where I was exposed to the complexities of redesigning systems, improving processes, and aligning broader business goals. It was demanding, but it sharpened my ability to think strategically and communicate with impact.

Alongside my industry career, I studied part-time to complete my Executive MBA. I thrive on learning and development, taking in new knowledge has always been exciting. It changed how I thought about leadership and organisational strategy and gave me the confidence to challenge assumptions and ask bigger questions. That curiosity ultimately led me to pursue a PhD, while still embedded in industry.

I’ve always described myself as a ‘pracademic’ – my career hasn’t followed a traditional path, but I’m better for it. Having a balance of industry knowledge with academic research and teaching is like rocket fuel, allowing me to operate at the intersection of theory and application.

Women can lead transformative change in any sector, no matter the path they take. Your starting point doesn’t have to define where you end up; it’s about trusting your capabilities, learning from those around you, and remaining resilient.

Expanding opportunities for women

My work today spans research, teaching, consultancy, contract research and funded innovation projects. But the common thread running through all of it is knowledge exchange.

I’m motivated by connecting what’s happening in industry with academic research to create real-world impact. Whether I’m supervising doctoral research, delivering executive education or working with organisations on sustainability challenges, the goal is the same: make insight actionable. Academia generates deep insight. Industry generates real-world applications and practical opportunities.

When I teach, I bring those real challenges into the classroom. When I research, I test ideas against practical realities. When those two forces are aligned, it connects the dots to create the whole picture.

Through my involvement in the Innovate UK ICURe Female Entrepreneurship Discover Programme, I saw firsthand how structured support, guided exploration and a community of peers can help women validate their ideas, test assumptions and build confidence in commercial environments.

It also reinforced something important: you don’t need to have all the answers at the start. You need curiosity, openness and the willingness to engage beyond your comfort zone.

These programmes create the conditions for women to step forward, experiment and grow. We need more programmes like ICURe if we want women’s ideas, research and leadership to shape the solutions to our biggest global challenges. We must expand and invest in programmes that bring innovative women to the fore, because innovation is not built in isolation.

The power of networks and mentorship

Looking back, mentorship and networks have shaped every stage of my journey. As much as aligning innovation with commercial objectives is important, your network is often the defining factor.

Early in my career, senior leaders recognised potential in me before I fully recognised it myself. Their encouragement created confidence. That experience has shaped how I now mentor others. I’m proud of my journey; I’ve achieved a lot, but it didn’t happen overnight. It happened because I invested in the community consistently, supporting others as they build their own pathways in the sector.

Cross-industry networks and mentorship have been transformative for my career, and I now bring that same philosophy into my leadership – creating spaces where people connect, learn from one another, and bring forward ideas that create real-world impact. When women build strong, supportive networks, they not only accelerate their own growth but also strengthen the collective capacity for innovation across our sector.

The power of a network. The power of the people you work with. It’s critical to your success in delivering innovation and entrepreneurship. You may not immediately see the return on investing time in professional networks, but relationships compound over time.

People invest in people. This has been one of the biggest takeaways from my career.

For women, or anyone entering innovation spaces, I would strongly encourage finding mentors, building peer networks and even considering coaching at key transition points. Entrepreneurship and leadership can feel isolating – but they don’t have to be. Lean on the experience and knowledge of those around you.

A lot of progress has been made – but what is still missing?

We need environments that actively create space for diverse leadership styles – not just those that conform to historical norms.

Throughout my career, I’ve seen real progress for women working in leadership and innovation, particularly in areas like sustainability and logistics. My early years in typically male-dominated environments, especially warehousing and transport, forced me to develop a strong sense of resilience, something that has continued to shape me as I’ve moved through different roles.

I’ve had to learn how to navigate politics, communicate with impact, and ensure that my voice is heard, even in spaces where women’s contributions can sometimes be overlooked. Communication is something I’ve continually refined. It’s not only about clarity, but understanding the audience, context and influence as well.

Despite the challenges, the power of visibility is now starting to come to fruition. I’m now surrounded by an inspiring network of women who are leading in sustainability and innovation across academia and industry.

My experience as the Entrepreneurial Lead on the ICURe Programme has reaffirmed the vitality of programmes that create structured, inclusive pathways for women to develop their ideas, build confidence, and commercialise their research. Being part of that ecosystem filled with women on similar journeys, as well as those further ahead, has been transformative and empowering.

At a broader level, stronger collaboration among academia, industry and government—the ‘triple helix’ – is essential to meeting growing sustainability challenges and achieving net zero by 2050. I’ve seen how impactful it is when women step into these spaces, linking research, policy and real-world needs. Across my network, more women are taking on influential roles and driving meaningful cross-sector collaboration.

There is progress. However, more visibility and deeper integration are still needed.

What’s next, and how do we get there?

I’m genuinely excited by the growing visibility of women leading sustainability transformation across sectors.

In logistics and supply chain, we are seeing more women stepping into ESG leadership roles, influencing strategic direction and embedding sustainable development goals into corporate agendas. I feel part of a wider movement – a network of women committed to making meaningful change for people, profit and planet.

But momentum alone isn’t enough.

As we look to the future of women in leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation, there are clear actions we can take to accelerate change:

Strengthen supportive ecosystems

The power of networks, mentorship, and knowledge exchange cannot be understated. Expand professional communities to actively welcome early-career women and empower their voices and research.

Expand female pathways for research, innovation, and expertise

Programmes like ICURe give researchers a platform to explore new opportunities and push their research beyond traditional academic boundaries. Expanding structured entrepreneurial programmes will help women commercialise research and lead sustainability-focused ventures.

Your journey might not be typical, but it’s valuable

We must all continue to encourage women to embrace non-linear journeys and remain open to where their skills can take them. My own path took me from biology to logistics and supply chain. My message to all women is seize opportunities and embrace change.