Give to Gain: Lessons in Leadership from our Alumnae this International Women’s Day

As a leading school in Oldham and a beacon of education in Greater Manchester, this discussion highlighted the “Hulme link” that stays with our students long after they leave our classrooms. Whether dialling in from Manchester or Massachusetts, the shared values of integrity, no-nonsense honesty, and resilience were evident throughout.

1. The Power of a Fearless Foundation

The discussion opened with a reflection on how Hulme Grammar prepares girls for the world. Olivia Scanlon noted that the school’s environment meant she never saw “glass ceilings” as an obstacle. She described the Hulme spirit as a “superpower,” providing a level of confidence that allowed her to enter male-dominated trading floors on Wall Street without a second thought.

Vanessa Thomson agreed, noting that the school’s greatest gift was the belief that “you can be whatever you want to be.” Vanessa reflected on how that confidence supported her journey to becoming a King’s Counsel. She shared that she is currently the Head of her Criminal Team and was the first woman in Manchester to “take silk” (become a KC) in seven years. She attributed her ability to lead in these high-pressure spaces to the grounded, confident start she received at Hulme.

2. The ‘Power of the Pivot’

A major theme of the conversation was the idea that a career is rarely a straight line. Olivia Scanlon’s journey is a testament to this. Having transitioned from corporate law in London to high-finance sales and trading at Deutsche Bank, and eventually to the COO level, she recently “pivoted” again to open a wellness retreat, The Thyme, in the Berkshire mountains of Massachusetts.

Olivia explained that students shouldn’t be “phased” by risk. Instead, they should see their education as a toolkit. She used her “Hulme-bred” operational skills to build her business from the ground up, proving that you can take the rigours of the C-Suite and apply it to the tranquillity of the countryside. This “mental agility” – the ability to move between industries -is what Olivia considers the key to a modern, successful career.

3. Leadership as Service: Give to Gain

Principal Kirsten Pankhurst moved the conversation toward the philosophical roots of leadership. Referencing Nelson Mandela’s view of education, she shared the view that it should never be seen as a “ladder” for personal status. Instead, Kirsten described education as a “lens” – a way to see the world with honesty and integrity.

The “Give to Gain” philosophy was evident here: Kirsten invited the students watching to shift their perspective. Instead of asking what they can get from an opportunity, she suggested asking, “How can I use this to give back?”

Vanessa Thomson personified this, discussing her role as a mentor and her work with ‘Women in Criminal Law.’ For her, “giving” means staying in the profession to ensure the path is wider for the women coming up behind her. She spoke about the responsibility of leadership – not just in making decisions, but in fostering a culture where younger women feel they can stay and thrive in the legal profession.

The ‘Future-Proof’ School Bag: Advice for the Next Generation

To conclude the session, Claire Brownlie asked each guest to name the one skill or piece of advice they would put in a student’s bag to ensure they are ready for the world of 2026 and beyond.

Vanessa Thomson: Vulnerability and the Superpower of Overthinking. Vanessa challenged traditional views on female confidence, urging girls to have the confidence to seek help and not view it as a weakness. She also reclaimed “overthinking” as a superpower—the diligent process of checking and cross-checking to reach the right judgment.

Olivia Scanlon: The Internal Compass and Self-Understanding. Olivia encouraged students to focus on internal joy and understanding their own patterns and “limiting thoughts.” By focusing on what is within, she believes students can build a career that is truly sustainable and fulfilling.

Kirsten Pankhurst: Being 10% Braver and the Freedom to Lead. Kirsten’s standout advice was to be “10% braver” in every endeavour to push past normal self-doubt. She also urged girls to reject the pressure to be “popular” or “liked” in leadership, encouraging them instead to embrace their authentic leadership style.

Looking Forward: The Brenda Mills Institute of Innovation and Technology (BMIIT)

While our Old Girls continue to make their mark on the global stage, their insights provide the perfect context for the work currently taking place within the Brenda Mills Institute of Innovation and Technology (BMIIT).

Named in honour of a pioneering 1950s Hulme maths teacher, the BMIIT is the heart of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) at Hulme. It is the engine room where our current students learn to “pivot” through complex problem-solving and develop the “10% braver” mindset required for high-level innovation. It ensures that the legacy of Brenda Mil – and the success of alumnae like Claire, Vanessa, and Olivia –  continues to inspire a new generation of fearless, integrity-driven leaders.

Meet the Panelists

Claire Brownlie (Class of 1990)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claire is the Director of Student Futures at Liverpool Hope University. Her career has been defined by a commitment to higher education, having held senior leadership roles at the Universities of Manchester, Nottingham, and Queen Mary University of London. Claire’s connection to her alma mater, the University of Sheffield, remains deep; she served as Student Union President in 1995 and currently serves as a Member of University Council, where she Chairs the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee. She is an expert in fundraising, external relations, and workplace wellbeing, with a lifelong passion for crime fiction, politics, and the latest developments in biomedical science.

Vanessa Thomson (Class of 1994)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanessa was called to the Bar in 1998 and has practised exclusively in crime since 2000. She prosecutes and defends cases at the most serious levels and has been Head of Crime at Nine Chambers for the past 3 years. She is a member of the committee of the Manchester branch of ‘Women in Criminal Law,’ a group committed to promoting equality, well-being, and friendship amongst all women involved in the Criminal Justice System. Vanessa has recently been successful in the most recent King’s Counsel competition and will be appointed King’s Counsel by the Lord Chancellor on the 23rd March 2026.

Olivia Scanlon (Class of 1995)

Olivia is a consultant to the alternative asset management industry and currently consults as a Chief Operating Officer for Santander Alternative Investments in the US. In 2024, she opened a retreat center in the Berkshire Mountains, Massachusetts called The Thyme, which operates retreats with the aim of promoting human connection and growth. She lives there with her husband, James, daughter, Honor and dog, Dance. She was formerly a COO at Orchard Global in New York and Signal Capital in London, following a 10-year career at Deutsche Bank. She originally trained and practised as a corporate finance lawyer at Slaughter & May in London.

Kirsten Pankhurst (Principal)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kirsten is the Principal of Hulme Grammar School, joining the community in 2025 from her role as Senior Deputy Head at Birkenhead School. Having grown up in South Africa, she places an immense value on education as the “most powerful weapon to change the world.” Kirsten has taught across a wide range of institutions holding leadership roles including Head of English and Deputy Head Academic. A trained ISI inspector and advocate for inclusivity, she is committed to ensuring every student finds their “niche.” Outside of school life, Kirsten is a fan of musicals, a reader of Jane Austen, and a lifelong netball player.