The development group's leadership workshop tour will hold meetings in four cities across, with the aim of raising awareness and increasing the numbers of women working at the most senior levels.

Supported by Barclays Bank, A1A say the Women Leaders 2008 workshops will identify the needs and aspirations of diverse modern leaders. ‘We aim to  provide an inspirational, visionary and transforming experience for diverse women that will inform, entertain, educate and empower them on a path to personal and community growth," an A1A spokesman told Black Mental Health UK.

With African Caribbean women particularly under represented within the middle and senior tiers of management it is vital that these opportunities are taken up by black women regardless of what stage they are at in their careers.

"Women make up 65 per cent of the workforce in Barclays, but only 13 per cent of the top grades. We need to improve this imbalance if we want to compete - and win - in today's business world, where talent is the key competitive differentiator." John Varley Group Chief Executive Barclays said.

Writer, actress, presenter and comedienne , Angie Le Mar will be hosting at the next event from 6.00 - 800 on Thursday 19^th June in Birmingham at  The Directors Boardroom Aston Villa Football Club, Villa Park, Birmingham, West Midlands, B6 6HE

The workshops, (will be covered by Cable TV, local and national media), are part of executive leadership event and coaching programme called Leaders of Distinction, which is a rolling 12-month coaching and development programme for outstanding women leaders.

A1A are commitment to see glass ceiling that has kept much of Britain's leadership talent shattered is clear. They told Black Mental Health UK, "the 2008 mission is to facilitate the growth and change reflecting the increasing economic, political and social leadership of diverse women, working co-operatively to leverage their aspirations, capabilities and opportunities".

Dawn Butler MP launched a new networking group ‘Sister Circle London', at the House of Commons in Westminster earlier this year.  Established to support the growth of African Caribbean women in the professional pursuits, founder of Sister Circle Angela Rweyemamu said: ‘research as well as the opinions of our members will be used to influence policy and practice as far as we can.  We will also work with mainstream organisation with the aim of helping black women achieve their career objectives'.

Equality groups have welcomed these changes and the acknowledgement that female talent is now in demand at the highest levels within the workplace.

‘This initiative goes beyond the Corporate Social Responsibility agenda and will have a significant positive impact on the bottom line of the many organisations struggling to fill senior roles with high quality executives," Rob Challis, Global Head of Corporate Responsibility Man Group PLC said.

Women in Leadership workshops are planned for 17 April 17 in Nottingham, June 19, in Birmingham, September 18 in Manchester and October 16 in London.

For more information please contact Athena1Associates on  +44(0)845 331 2754 and/or visit www.athena1.co.uk