Shared commitment to safety brings Defence Composites and GM4Women2028 together for Dialogue, Deeds & Determination

We’re delighted to announce Rochdale-based Defence Composites as the lead sponsor of our upcoming Dialogue, Deeds & Determination event, taking place at Rochdale Library on Saturday 4th July.

As an annual gathering focused on advancing gender equality, Dialogue, Deeds & Determination brings together women, girls, male allies, community organisations, charities, policymakers, businesses and residents to discuss challenges, share experiences and identify practical actions for change.

We're incredibly grateful to Defence Composites for helping make this important event possible.

A partnership built on shared values

Although at first glance, Defence Composites and GM4Women2028 appear to operate in very different worlds, at the heart of our organisations lies a shared commitment to creating safer environments and protecting people.

One of our five thematic areas is safety. Since our formation in 2018, we've worked to make Greater Manchester a safer place for women and girls through research, advocacy, collaboration and action.

Defence Composites shares a similarly strong focus on safety through its mission to safeguard lives and provide peace of mind through world-class protective body equipment solutions, including ranges specifically designed for women.

While our work takes different forms, we both recognise the pressing need to create conditions in which women and girls can feel safe, supported and empowered.

Julia Harbridge, Director of Operations at Defence Composites, says:

“Defence Composites are thrilled to be sponsoring GM4Women2028, a cause which highlights the necessity of generating opportunities, advocating equality and supporting women across Greater Manchester. Over the last 10 years, an increasing number of women are now working in the security sector and we feel that championing their safety at work, as well as safety in the community as a whole, is the perfect alignment of our values. We’re proud to play a part in helping GM4Women2028 continue its vital work and look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will support.”

Keeping the conversation open to everyone

Dialogue, Deeds & Determination is free to attend because we believe that conversations about equality should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or financial circumstances.

However, delivering a large-scale event comes with costs, including venue hire, catering, materials and event logistics. Support from Defence Composites enables us to remove barriers to participation and bring together a diverse range of voices from across Greater Manchester.

Looking ahead to Rochdale

This year's Dialogue, Deeds & Determination event comes at a particularly significant moment. With just three annual events remaining before the conclusion of our 10-year campaign in 2028, the Rochdale gathering is a chance to reflect on progress made so far while identifying priorities for the years ahead.

The programme will feature discussions, workshops, performances, networking and contributions from a range of speakers and community representatives, all dedicated to shaping a safer, fairer, better and more equal Greater Manchester.

We’re pleased to have Defence Composites alongside us as lead sponsor and look forward to working together to deliver an inspiring and impactful day.

Interested in sponsoring Dialogue, Deeds & Determination 2026? We'd love to hear from companies that share our commitment to gender equality and positive social change. Contact info@gm4women2028.org to find out more.