Skewb co‑founder Indu Seshadri has shared how values‑led leadership and a commitment to giving back are helping shape a more inclusive and impactful business culture while speaking at a Women in Business Lunch held to mark International Women’s Day.
The event, hosted by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce at Walton Hall Hotel and sponsored by Alsters Kelley Solicitors, brought together more than 70 business leaders and professionals from across the region. It was centred on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, #GiveToGain, and explored how women in business are contributing to economic growth and community impact.
Indu joined fellow speakers Sandra Godley OBE, President of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Taiwo Owatemi Member of Parliament (MP) for Coventry North West and Julie McGarrigle, Director at Alsters Kelley, in sharing personal insights on leadership, confidence and inclusion.
Addressing the audience, Indu underscored that meaningful progress comes from action, not awareness alone.
“When women come together with purpose, we create momentum for real, lasting change.”
Indu reflected on growing up in a small community in southern India, where generosity and responsibility were everyday values and explained how those early experiences continue to shape her approach to leadership at Skewb.
“Those early lessons shaped my belief that leadership begins with service.” she said.
Indu also shared how that philosophy underpins Skewb’s culture today. Operating within the traditionally male‑dominated utilities sector, more than 55% of Skewb’s core team are women, reflecting a deliberate focus on inclusion, opportunity and long‑term talent development.
“When you give someone an opportunity, you give them momentum. When you support someone, you give them strength. And when you invest in someone, you give them a second chance,” Indu told attendees. “That’s what inclusion looks like in practice.”
Chamber President Sandra Godley spoke about the wider impact of women in leadership across the region.
“Women belong in leadership,” she said. “And when women rise, businesses grow, communities thrive, and the next generation begins to see new possibilities for themselves.”
Taiwo Owatemi, who has been an MP since 2019, reinforced the importance of visibility, noting that when women are seen leading, it normalises ambition and opens doors for others.
“Visibility matters. When women are seen in leadership, they show others what’s possible. It stops being the exception and becomes normal.”
She added;
“One of the most powerful things we can do is share our vision with one another. When we connect as a community and support each other’s ambitions, we create spaces where women can lead, grow and thrive.”
