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For suppliers Special interest and working groups Women’s Educational Suppliers Network

Women’s Educational Suppliers Network

The Women’s Educational Suppliers Network is an informal advisory group whose purpose is to advise BESA on how to maximise women’s contribution in this industry sector, facilitate networking of women across the sector, help women supporting each other in business and career growth and raise the profile of influential women in this sector.

Apply to join

Upcoming meeting dates:

  • Tuesday 21 April 2026, 11am-1pm
  • Tuesday 14 July 2026, 11am-1pm
  • Tuesday 10 November 2026, 11am-1pm

Hi and welcome to the Women’s Educational Supplier’s Network (WESN)! 😊

In this inclusive and supportive group we welcome both BESA members and non BESA members alike to share best practice and thought leadership; celebrate each other’s achievements; and support professional and personal growth.

Group members help build the sessions – giving suggestions for discussion topics and guest speakers to ensure everyone gets the most from the group. We work together to build a safe community where members feel able to seek advice and support from their peers.

We hope you’ll join us,

Kat Cauchi – Chair of BESA WESN

Chair: Kat Cauchi

Kat is the community engagement manager at NetSupport, the editor of R.I.S.E. Magazine and the host of the Her Tech Life podcast. Kat is a 2023 We Are Tech Women #TechWomen100 award winner and a Nexus Education 2022 Classroom and Curriculum Improvement award winner. She is a member of the Global Equality Collective, an Innovate Her ambassador and a Technocamps Girls in STEM role model.

Kat is passionate about closing gaps and creating inclusive communities where everyone can thrive, which is why she is a proud to be the Chair of the WESN. As a woman working in a tech company, she is particularly passionate about closing the gender gap in STEM.

The Women’s Educational Suppliers Network meets to advise BESA on:

  • Gender balance opportunities and challenges within member/Launchpad companies
  • The barriers and challenges that prevent some from achieving their potential in this industry
  • Identifying solutions to help overcome such obstacles
  • Generating proposals for BESA and others to maximise women’s contribution in this sector
  • Acting as a sounding board on the impact of proposed activities relating to women in this area of business
  • How we can best facilitate networking of women across the sector and to enable women to support each other in business and career growth by sharing information and expertise
  • How we might raise the profile of influential women in this sector, and support member organisations to maximise women’s contribution

How to join:

Joining the Women’s Educational Suppliers Network is free and open to all. 

Step 1) Click ‘Apply to join’ and login to the Portal. If you need help navigating the portal have a look at the Portal Manual or get in touch with us at eventsteam@besa.org.uk.

Step 2) Send in your application letter stating that you want to join the group using the example application letter as a guide. 

In your application you must confirm:

  • that you are happy to share ideas with the rest of the group
  • that you are committed to developing and taking the group forward
  • that you meet the group’s Terms of Reference

Step 3) Your application will then be presented to the group for approval & you’ll be emailed if your application is successful.

Meetings take place three times a year online, and you are expected to attend each meeting.

Example application letter

I am writing on behalf of (company) to apply to join the Women’s Educational Suppliers Network.

Paragraph confirming that

i)You are happy to share ideas with the rest of the Women’s Educational Suppliers Network.
ii) Committed to developing and taking the Group forward
iii) You meet the Group’s Terms of Reference

Yours sincerely,

Join the community

Whether you’re joining us as a Full Member or subscribing to the Launchpad programme, your business will need to meet our membership criteria and sign up to our Code of Practice. Take the next step and see what is involved in this commitment.

Become a member