Celebrating Women in Creativity at Great Western Studios

A Creative Community Powered by Women

Located between Notting Hill and Maida Vale on the banks of the Grand Union Canal, Great Western Studios is home to over 100 creative workspaces hosting artists, designers, architects, digital innovators and entrepreneurs.

Within this vibrant community, women play a vital role in shaping the ideas, businesses and projects that define our studios. From founders and freelancers to designers and makers, their work fuels the creativity and innovation that makes GWS such a special place to work and collaborate.

Creating Space for Ideas to Flourish

Great Western Studios was built to foster collaboration and creativity. Our light-filled studios, central atrium and communal spaces encourage connection between people and ideas.

For many women in creative industries, spaces like these provide more than just a desk or studio – they provide community. Here, entrepreneurs launch businesses, designers develop new collections, and creatives come together to support each other’s journeys.

International Women’s Day reminds us how important it is to continue creating environments where women can grow, lead and innovate.

What Success Means Today

We spoke with two studio holders about how they define success in today’s world.

Natalia Bojanic – Form Nutrition

“To me, being a successful woman today means living and working in alignment with your values. It means creating impact while still having the time and energy to care for yourself, nurture your relationships and enjoy life along the way. Success is contribution, autonomy and meaningful impact.”

Ayuna Danzanova – Savage Pole Gym&Fitness

“It’s about building something that lights you up, lifting other women as you rise, and knowing that strength can look graceful, bold, soft, savage – sometimes all at once!”

Supporting Female Founders and Creators

Across the UK’s creative economy, women are leading ground-breaking work in design, art, architecture, fashion and technology. At GWS, we see this first-hand through the inspiring businesses that call our studios home.

Our community events, workshops and networking opportunities are designed to help founders connect, learn and grow. From marketing and finance sessions to exhibitions and pop-up showcases, we aim to create opportunities for women-led businesses to gain visibility and momentum.

By supporting female entrepreneurs and creatives, we strengthen not only our community but the wider creative ecosystem in London.

The Power of Creative Collaboration

One of the most exciting things about being part of Great Western Studios is the opportunity to collaborate. With such a diverse mix of creatives under one roof, new partnerships and ideas emerge naturally.

International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate those collaborations and recognise how women continue to shape the creative industries through leadership, mentorship and innovation.

Whether it’s a designer sharing expertise with a neighbouring studio, a founder launching a new venture, or a creative collective working on their next exhibition, these stories are what make GWS unique.

Looking Ahead

At Great Western Studios, we believe that the future of creativity depends on diverse voices and inclusive communities.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women in our studios and beyond who continue to challenge ideas, build businesses, and inspire the next generation of creatives.

Here’s to the women shaping the future of creativity … today and every day.

Innovation in Action: Insights from Great Western Studios’ Session with Leaders on Modernising Government and Driving Change

Why Innovation Matters Now More Than Ever

Across sectors, there’s a growing recognition that traditional approaches to complex challenges often fall short. In government, for example, recent commentary from the Institute for Government highlights that while new taskforces and short-term initiatives can deliver quick results, they are not a substitute for long-term reform and systemic change. Analysts note that relying on standalone squads to tackle urgent problems without addressing the underlying systems they operate within may provide temporary gains, but won’t transform outcomes in the long run.

This idea, balancing speed with sustainability, was echoed throughout our session at Great Western Studios.

What We Learned from Our Speakers

🔹 Darren Jones emphasised the need for modernising systems so that institutions work more like innovative organisations, aiming to “move fast and fix things” while also embedding durable change.
🔹 Chris Sheldrick shared insights from the tech world on how simplicity, creative problem-solving, and user-centric design can unlock new possibilities.
🔹 Hannah White brought this together with reflections on public service reform, noting that innovation must be coupled with strategic vision and structural reform if it’s to have lasting impact.

From Short-Term Solutions to Long-Term Change

A key theme from both the session and the Institute for Government’s analysis is this: innovation isn’t just about quick fixes, it’s about reimagining how systems and organisations operate. Whether in government delivery, creative enterprises, or community solutions, real innovation requires blending bold ideas with sustained commitment.

As highlighted in IfG commentary, government taskforces are a useful tool for urgent challenges, but, on their own, they don’t reform the wider system that shapes outcomes over years and decades. Lasting progress demands both agile working and deep organisational reform.

Thank You to Everyone Who Joined Us

A huge thank you to Darren Jones, Chris Sheldrick, and Hannah White for such an inspiring conversation. Thank you also to everyone who joined us at Great Western Studios, your engagement and curiosity made the session truly special!

We’re excited to continue hosting events that spark meaningful dialogue at the intersection of innovation, policy, and creative enterprise.

Stay tuned for more sessions and insights, and be sure to watch the full video above.