A Leadership Journey Built on Purpose, Integrity and Deep Listening

Our Executive Women in Leadership programme (EWIL) celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, we have been meeting with programme alumni to reflect on their career journeys and how the programme impacted them.

We recently had the privilege of interviewing Linda Irvine, a leader who has always been grounded in purpose. Throughout her career in both the pharmaceutical and third sectors, she has been attracted to roles that align with her values, allowing her to contribute meaningfully. Today, Linda is the Chief Executive of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and is the first woman to hold the position in its 425‑year history. Today, Linda continues to lead with authenticity and courage.

Linda describes herself as someone who has always been intellectually curious, resilient, and driven by meaningful work. Her career has included long tenures within organisations, but with varied roles that challenged her to grow and adapt. She credits colleagues, mentors, coaches, and friends for shaping her journey.

A common theme amongst women in leadership positions, Linda shared that one of her biggest and ongoing challenges has been finding balance between her professional and personal life. Leadership roles require energy and presence, and Linda has learned the importance of being intentional about work-life balance.

Building Confidence Through EWIL

Linda participated in our Executive Women in Leadership (EWIL) programme shortly after becoming Deputy Chief Executive. The timing, she says, was perfect.

The programme offered both practical leadership tools and the confidence to trust her instincts. “It reassured me that my ideas and approach were valid,” she recalls. It also reinforced that leadership is never a solo pursuit. “You can’t go it alone—you need people around you.”

A key message that stayed with her came from speaker Ian Marchant: “Trust and verify.” Linda still shares this principle with her own leadership team today.

“The whole programme was invaluable,” she explained, “and the learning, the speakers, the peer network made a difference.”

Safe Spaces and the Power of Women’s Networks

Linda has continued to feel a powerful sense of belonging to the EWIL community. She praises the programme for creating a safe space where women can speak openly, which is something she believes remains essential.

In her own organisation, Linda has also contributed to the development of a women’s network focusing on supporting and empowering women in healthcare. Women may now be equally represented in the profession overall, but they remain underrepresented in senior leadership.

Driving Systemic Change

Linda believes there are still opportunities for greater advocacy, broader engagement, and increased mentoring for women. She also believes that dedicated women’s spaces still matter, even as the broader diversity agenda shifts. “There are moments in your career where you need different things,” she explains. “And sometimes you need a place where people understand your perspective.”

She also shared that seeing professional and senior women speak openly about challenges, from organisational politics to menopause, has been transformative. Representation matters, she says: “If you can see it, you can be it.”

Reflecting on 10 Years

As the programme marks its 10th anniversary, Linda remains grateful for the network, the learning, and the connection it has brought into her career. Her leadership today is grounded in the principles EWIL reinforced: purpose, authenticity, courage, and the willingness to make space for herself and others.

This article is part of our Executive Women in Leadership Alumni Spotlight Series, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the EWIL programme in September 2026.

Our EWIL programme has evolved into our Executive Leadership Programme, which is open to all genders and is now running its fifth year. Jointly run by FWB and the University of Edinburgh Business School (UEBS), the Executive Leadership Programme (ELP) is designed to enable the next generation of leaders across multiple ownership classes and organisations across a broad range of private, public, and non-profit sectors.

If you are interested in joining our 2026 ELP cohort, please email us at elp@fwbltd.com.