Book IWD Speaker: Rita Clifton

Deputy Chair of the John Lewis Partnership, Chair of Simplyhealth, Chair of Forum for the Future & Author of "Love Your Imposter"

Rita Clifton has shaped the branding landscape for more than three decades, guiding some of the world’s most recognisable businesses and helping leaders understand what a strong brand can achieve. Her career began at Saatchi & Saatchi in the mid-1980s, where she rose to Vice-Chairman and built a reputation for strategic clarity and creative courage. By 1997, she had taken the helm of Interbrand as CEO and Chairman, driving its global expansion and cementing its status as the go-to authority on brand valuation. The Financial Times later called her the Brand Guru; the Daily Telegraph described her as the brand leading the brands. Those labels captured her influence across a sector she helped define.

Her track record didn’t stop there. In 2013, she co-founded BrandCap, a consultancy built to deliver commercial results through intelligent brand thinking. A year later, she received a CBE for services to advertising, marking her contribution to British business and global marketing. Alongside her commercial work, she became Chair of Trustees at Forum for the Future, working with Dr Sally Uren on sustainability and long-term value, then a Visiting Fellow at Oxford’s Saïd Business School in 2019. She later published Love Your Imposter, a candid book that resonated with readers navigating confidence, identity and leadership.

Recent years have seen Rita step into some of the UK’s most respected leadership roles. She served as Deputy Chair of the John Lewis Partnership, was named a Woman to Watch and Role Model for Inclusion in Retail by The MBS Group in 2023, and spoke at the inaugural Anthropy gathering at the Eden Project. In 2025, she became Chairperson of Simplyhealth, adding another chapter to a career defined by purposeful leadership. Her non-executive experience spans Nationwide Building Society, ASOS, BP and more, giving her a rare view of what drives performance and change in complex organisations.

Rita is hired for International Women’s Day because she speaks directly to the realities of modern leadership. Audiences value her openness about navigating male-dominated environments, her reflections on imposter feelings and her belief in the power of authenticity. She blends insight from senior boardrooms with stories that remind listeners of the human side of leadership. At a recent event, she described how a clear personal brand helped her stay centred during high-pressure moments, a point that resonated with women stepping into new roles.

Her sessions leave people informed, motivated and better equipped to lead with confidence. For organisations marking International Women’s Day, Rita offers a grounded, warm and authoritative voice that encourages women to step forward, claim their space and shape the future of business.

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