Celebrating Women in Fieldsports this International Women’s Day (8th March 2023)

In light of International Women’s Day (8th March), British Game Assurance (BGA) are celebrating the women that are leading the way forward in the world of fieldsports. Together, key female voices are creating a community of women to support one another in the sector, pioneering new ways of promoting game, and putting sustainability in the spotlight.

A new platform for women who work in fieldsports to connect has been set up by Director of Operations at British Game Assurance, Louisa Clutterbuck, alongside Vanessa Steel and Iona Campbell, from the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). “Women Who Work in Fieldsports” (WWWF), a network intended for women across the industry to support and inspire each other, is set to host a launch event on 21st March 2023. 

Women from across the UK will come together In Conversation with Ali Henton, Editor of the Field, and Claire Zambuni, Director of Zambuni Communications.

Louisa Clutterbuck, Director of Operations at BGA, Head of Eat Wild, and Founder of Women Who Work in Fieldsports, said:

“As a woman working in a very male-dominated industry, I feel proud to be at the forefront of pioneering new ways of promoting game through EatWild, BGA’s public facing campaign for game. Over the past four years, EatWild has had a real impact in promoting the high welfare, nutritional benefits and the sustainability of game meat. We have directly addressed consumers, many of whom had never heard of game, in a multi-faceted way from handing out over 15,000 leaflets on the streets of London to building campaigns, creating new and exciting recipes, collaborations and communication across several social media channels. As a result of my experiences as a woman in this sector, I wanted to create a platform for others in a similar position to come together and support each other. With the help of Vanessa and Iona at GWCT, Women Who Work in Fieldsports has been set up to create an open, accessible community of women in the fishing and shooting sector and I am positive that this will be a powerful place for women to gain the skills necessary to succeed in this industry.”

Claire Zambuni, Director of Zambuni Communications, said:

“It is an honour to have been asked to speak at the launch of WWWF. I have worked in the fieldsports arena for almost 20 years now, setting up my own business, being a single mother, and championing other women along the way. Since the start, I have seen so many positive changes, but I can still see so many ways that the experiences of women, in particular younger females coming into the industry now can be improved.  There is still a long way to go for women’s skills and expertise to be recognised as equal to men’s, so I fully support WWWF’s aim of closing this gap. Women have so much to offer; they work hard and smart while juggling external pressures. Now, it is time for women to celebrate their worth and we need to give them the confidence to do so.” 

Alexandra Henton, Editor of The Field, said:

“It is crucial that women who work in the fieldsports world are visible, and recognised. As the Editor of a magazine that has for 170 years shaped the sporting world I have an eye on what has gone before and what a sustainable future holds, and there remain obvious gaps that need to be addressed. It has always been a source of pride that I started the Sporting Dianas franchise within the magazine six years ago, as the result of a direct wish to champion the women in our world as a genuine inspiration to each other. It is wonderful to see this happening more and more but there is always room for improvement, especially for those coming into the fieldsports world. We have as much passion, gusto, expertise and enthusiasm for what we do as the boys (if not more so), yet too often it remains hidden and not championed. I'm delighted to have been asked to speak at the inaugural Women Who Work in Fieldsports launch and to be part of this important conversation: recognising just what the women in our world can do.”

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) commented: “Our work has sustainability at its core, whether it’s food security, soil health, water quality or improving biodiversity across Britain. We’re proud to be pioneering methods that should leave the countryside, and the country, in a better place for generations to come.” As women at the forefront of affecting GWCT’s initiatives, and the launch of WWWF, Head of Events & Engagement at the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), Vanessa Steel, said: “I am thrilled to be at the inception of such a vital consortium of female fieldsports professionals” and GWCT Event Manager, Iona Campbell, added: “I am so excited to be part of the WWWF team as it is something I feel will help and inspire women to get into fieldsports and be part of the community.”

The launch of WWWF will take place in the GWCT London office (Temple Chambers, 3-7 Temple Avenue, London, EC4Y 0DT). For more information and to book, please follow this link.