As Armed Forces Day approaches, we're taking a moment to reflect on the experiences, values and people that have helped shape We Are PoWEr over the last decade.

As our organisation prepares for its next chapter, we sat down with our founder and CEO, Simone Roche MBE, to talk about her story from the Royal Navy to building a community that has generated more than £12.3 million in social value, the lessons she's learned along the way, and why now is the right time for We Are PoWEr to evolve.

"I joined because I wanted adventure."

Long before the Northern PoWEr Women Awards, mentoring programmes, podcasts and partnerships, Simone's story started in the Royal Navy.

Like many people starting their careers, she didn't have a perfectly mapped-out plan.

"I joined because I wanted adventure. I didn't really know what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to do something different."

While the experience gave her practical skills and opportunities she never expected, it also instilled principles that continue to influence how she leads today.

When asked about the biggest lesson she took from her military career, her answer was simple:

"Take all opportunities."

It's a philosophy that has become embedded in the DNA of We Are PoWEr, encouraging people to step forward, back themselves and embrace opportunities, even when they don't have all the answers.

Looking back, one of Simone's proudest memories remains her passing out parade.

"It was seeing how proud my family were," she told us. "That was a really special moment."

Building a Community, Not Just a Network

When Simone founded what was originally Northern PoWEr Women, it came from a belief that opportunities should be more accessible and that people should be able to see role models they could relate to.

She wanted to create a community where people actively supported one another, shared experiences and helped others progress.

What started as a bold idea quickly grew into a movement of people and organisations committed to creating opportunities and driving positive change.

More than ten years later, that sense of purpose remains at the heart of everything we do.

More Than Recognition

Many people know We Are PoWEr through our awards, Lists and recognition programmes.

And while celebrating role models continues to be an important part of our story, the organisation has evolved far beyond recognition alone.

Over the last decade, we've built mentoring programmes, hosted events, launched podcasts and webinars, created opportunities through PoWEr Pack and worked alongside partners who share our commitment to creating meaningful impact.

When reflecting on the last ten years, Simone points not to a single award ceremony or milestone, but to the collective impact created by the community.

"Whether it's 10 people or 150 people, there's always a tangible sense of doing, care, enabling and pride," she says.

That community-first approach has helped create mentoring relationships, business partnerships, career opportunities and countless conversations that have gone on to make a real difference.

Turning Conversations Into Action

One of the recurring themes from our conversation was the importance of giving people a platform.

It's the thinking that inspired the launch of the We Are PoWEr podcast and webinar series and continues to shape the conversations we facilitate today.

As Simone explains:

"This community is about giving people a platform and a stage."

From leadership and advocacy to career development, sponsorship, mentoring and personal growth, these conversations have helped share experiences, challenge thinking and connect people across sectors.

They're also creating space for discussions that don't always happen openly enough.

"We need more conversations about vulnerability and failure," Simone tells us. "People connect with real experiences."

In an increasingly complex world, authentic leadership, honest conversations and shared learning are becoming more important than ever.

Measuring Impact, Creating More

One of the most significant milestones for We Are PoWEr this year has been understanding the true scale of our impact.

Recently, our work was measured as having generated more than £12.3 million in social value over the last decade.

The figure reflects everything from volunteering and mentoring to community engagement, partnerships and programmes that have supported thousands of people along the way.

For us, it wasn't simply a number.

It provided evidence of the difference our community has made and highlighted the areas where we can continue to create value in the future.

It also reinforced something we've long believed: when people come together with purpose, they can achieve extraordinary things.

Why We're Evolving

As We Are PoWEr celebrates ten years, we're also looking ahead.

The world of work is changing. Organisations are facing new challenges. Future talent is navigating an increasingly complex landscape. And communities need more opportunities to connect, learn and grow together.

For Simone, this is why the next phase of We Are PoWEr feels both natural and necessary.

"We've built the community, we've reached that ten-year milestone, and now more than ever there's a need for practical learning, knowledge-sharing and big conversations."

That thinking is already shaping initiatives such as PoWEr Pack, which uses the strength of our network to help bridge the gap between education and employment, while supporting young people to build confidence, develop skills and tell their own stories.

It's also behind the development of the We Are PoWEr Summit.

We've always been proud of our ability to bring people together, and the Summit represents an opportunity to take that even further, creating space for learning, collaboration and meaningful action while continuing to celebrate the role models and changemakers who remain central to our community.

Partnerships With Purpose

Throughout our conversation, Simone repeatedly returned to one word: trust.

It's what she believes sits at the heart of every successful partnership.

Over the years, we've worked alongside organisations that haven't simply sponsored activity, but actively contributed to it, supporting mentoring, engaging future talent, sharing expertise and helping drive important conversations.

As we enter our next chapter, those partnerships will continue to play a vital role.

Our ambition is to create even more opportunities for collaboration, cross-sector learning and shared impact, ensuring that organisations don't just engage with the community but become part of it.

Looking Ahead

As Armed Forces Day celebrates service, contribution and community, it feels like a fitting moment to reflect on the values that continue to guide We Are PoWEr today.

The belief in taking opportunities. The importance of supporting others. The power of community. Those principles helped shape our founder's journey from the Royal Navy to We Are PoWEr. They've shaped the last ten years of our organisation. And as we look ahead, they'll continue to shape everything we do.

Because while the next chapter may look different, our purpose remains the same: creating opportunities, amplifying voices and using the power of community to create lasting impact.

Find out more about how to enquire/book Simone as a speaker here!

To enquire about partnerships, contact us at hello@wearepower.net