February 18th, 2026
Ocean Outdoor builds on its investment in women’s sport with an International Women’s Day event in Manchester
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Manchester, UK: Ten speakers from the worlds of sport, business, the arts and media will assemble for an International Women’s Day (IWD) event hosted by the Digital Out of Home advertising company Ocean Outdoor in Manchester on 5th March.
The impressive line-up includes the Olympian and Canadian international Asia Hogan-Rochester who is playing for Sale Sharks in the Premiership Women’s Rugby 2026 season, and the former Scottish international rugby player Lisa O’Keefe MBE who is Secretary General of the International Working Group on Women and Sport, the world’s largest network dedicated to gender equality in sport and physical activity. Lisa is responsible for leading the Secretariat while it is hosted by the UK.
They are joined by Yvonne O’Malley, Head of Leisure, Events and Contracts at Manchester City Council; Rachel Fraser, Internal Communications and Inclusion Director at Manchester United; and Nikki Sehgal, General Manager of Media For All (MEFA), the body which works to encourage more BAME talent into media.
The invitation-only event follows the UN’s IWD theme of Rights. Justice. Action for all by exploring experiences, learnings and the fundamental need for better justice systems in the ongoing quest for equality “both on and off the field”.
Also on the agenda is a panel discussion with Charlotte Beech, Partner, head of Creative Futures at EssenceMediacom and Emma Slater, Regional Managing Director, Wavemaker, who will be joined by Asia Hogan-Rochester and Lisa O’Keefe.
Completing the guest line-up are the BAFTA winning documentary maker Helen Tither, founder of Film Not Words (Emmeline Pankhurst: The Making of a Militant, The Great Staycation: Dot’s Farm); Olivia Colling, Executive Director of The Hepworth Wakefield, the award winning gallery; and the development coach Kathy Brooke.
Download Ocean Outdoor Marketing Director Marie Le Hur said: “This year has brought to the fore the harmful social norms continuing to affect women and girls. As women continue to face inequality in almost every aspect of life, including work, money, business and safety, it’s incumbent on us to collectively pushback when we see unfairness and disadvantage.
“This event draws on the power of formidable female leaders from Manchester and the UK more broadly to explore how we can improve the lot for women everywhere, and how we can succeed together both on and off the field of play.”
This is the third IWD event hosted by Ocean, and the first time it is being held in Manchester, at The Dome. Places are limited, but agencies and clients who are interested in attending should email info@oceanoutdoor.com.
The day will be supported by related messaging across Ocean’s portfolio in Manchester and nationally.
Last year, Ocean announced new partnerships with the Women’s Super League and England Rugby, including the Red Roses and men’s senior team, England A Men’s and the under 20s and Pathways teams. Ocean curated and managed the official Women’s Rugby World Cup fan zone at Battersea Power Station last year and broadcast more than 300 hours of rugby action, with 6,000 fans also attending the Red Roses’ official victory moment.
Ocean is a sponsor of Northern Grit, Sporting Glory, celebrating women in sport in Manchester.
IWD this year takes place on 9th March.
For a press invitation, please contact susann.jerry@oceanoutdoor.com, tel 07725 091814.
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