As we celebrate women in leadership, Judith Davey-Cole stands out as a CEO whose career is a deliberate map through the public, private, and charity sectors. If we have to describe this sagacious businesswoman in a word, it would be CONVICTION.
For Judith, leading Girls’ Brigade England and Wales is the natural landing place for a lifelong dedication to advocating for women and girls. She often says her role “brings together my faith and my lifelong passion for advocating for women and girls.” It is a position that sits at the intersection of her in-depth personal beliefs and her staunch Christian values. She is focused on dismantling the structural inequalities that frequently stall the progress of young women. Her approach is not about grand gestures but about the practical work of building agency and confidence. She leads with the belief that a century-old organisation can be both a guardian of tradition and a pioneer of modern change.
Leading with Courage in a Digital Age
If the internet is a sprawling, glass-walled city that never sleeps, Judith works to ensure that the next generation knows which doors to lock and how to distinguish between plain glass and distorting mirrors. Judith’s leadership is defined by a focus on the individual and a commitment to the mission. She is particularly outspoken about the gendered nature of online harm and its impact on the well-being of girls. She does not view the pressures of toxic role models and gender-based abuse as mere cultural trends. Instead, she frames the current digital sector as a moral crisis. As stats show that 96% of children in the UK are online, Judith argues that tech companies must be held accountable for profiting from harmful features. While the Girls’ Brigade offers safe, enriching alternatives to online engagement that integrate physical activity, teamwork, and life skills, Judith knows that the digital world is a vital lifeline for some.
For young carers who cannot always leave the house due to their caring responsibilities, or those in rural areas, the internet is essential for friendship. It is also a bridge for young people, helping them maintain links with trusted adults as they move away to university or start a new job.
Under her guidance, The Girls’ Brigade provides safe online spaces with digital safeguarding built in. Programmes like Staying Safe in the Digital World teach girls to look beyond face value. They learn to ask themselves: “How do I know whether this is real? How can I check?” This ability to question and contrast what they see with biblical truth is what Judith considers a critical life skill for 2026 and beyond.
“Girls’ Brigade has seen a period of great success under Judith Davey-Cole’s leadership. Through an empathetic and people centred approach to leadership the organisation has seen more girls, from more diverse groups, benefit from belonging to their weekly groups. Judith has overseen the delivery of expansion of their service, funded by the Uniformed Youth Fund, into some of the most deprived areas of the country. This work has attracted girls who had not considered joining previously by lowering barriers to doing so and ensuring that their programme of activities is appealing, relevant and inclusive to girls and young women today,” says Anna Maddox, CEO of Youth United Foundation.
The Grit Behind The Grace: More Than Badges
This seasoned strategist is not afraid to steer the conversation toward the difficult realities that 21st-century girls face. Under Judith’s guidance, The Girls’ Brigade has introduced age-appropriate and empowering materials on topics that many might shy away from, including modern slavery, county lines, and domestic abuse. But given that right now the stats show that 1 in 4 people caught in modern slavery are children, it’s vital that we help our youngsters to stay safe. This ensures that the organisation’s 130-year legacy remains relevant to the current generation.
One of the most highly valued initiatives is the Having a Safe Night Out programme, which teaches practical safety and community awareness. Every programme is designed to be more than just theory; girls and young women gain new skills and apply them in their local communities before celebrating their achievements with badges. This commitment to growth is mirrored in the revitalised Young Leaders programme. By creating roles like the Youth President and Young Ambassadors, she has opened doors for young women to represent the organisation and speak at civic, political, and faith events. This shift ensures their voices are heard in the rooms where decisions are made, turning the organisation into a bold movement that responds to the world with clarity and courage. Eloise, their Youth President says: “Judith leads with integrity and conviction. She values our young people and believes that they must not only be heard, but genuinely listened to. She is shaping Girls’ Brigade into an organisation that responds boldly and compassionately to the issues young people face, while remaining a place of belonging, strength, and relevance in a rapidly changing world. Her dedication to Girls’ Brigade is both inspiring and transformative.”
The Staying Power: Generations Of Service
Judith is the first to acknowledge that the heartbeat of the organisation is its dedicated network of volunteers. She speaks with genuine awe of the thousands of individuals who run local groups every week for girls aged 4 to 18 and young leaders aged 14 to 26. Many of these volunteers have over 50 years of service, demonstrating a unique culture of “staying power.” This is perfectly captured by Betty from the Isle of Wight, whose family legacy spans four generations of the Girls’ Brigade, culminating in her granddaughter, Florence, joining at age 4. Judith is always keen to welcome new volunteers, championing a flexible scheme for those aged 16 to 90 that allows them to work around personal and family commitments. These mentors often appreciate the breadth and depth of training available, as the skills they develop help them in other areas of their work and lives.
This same commitment to growth extends to her immediate staff. Although the charity operates with modest resources and a small training budget, Judith refuses to let that stifle innovation development. She is known for leveraging her extensive personal network to secure pro bono support and training for her team. A member of Judith’s team says, “We’re a tight team and work well together. Working in an organisation like ours is tough as we’re a small team supporting many thousands of volunteers, girls and young women across England and Wales. We might be small, but we punch above our weight in terms of quality and impact. No matter what happens, I know Judith’s got my back, and she tries incredibly hard to give everyone opportunities to grow and develop. She’s a breath of fresh air.”
Fortune Favours The Bold (And a Boa Constrictor)
Ranked among “The 10 Most Inspiring Women Leaders Making a Difference in 2026,” Judith is a leader who truly walks the talk, even when that means stepping far beyond her comfort zone. Fundraising is essential to the survival and growth of the Girls’ Brigade. And she chooses to lead the charge by example.
Last year, as part of a fundraising initiative, she undertook 20 personal challenges designed to push her well outside her comfort zone. She shaved her head, bounced for an hour on a bouncy castle, and climbed “Cardiac Hill” ten times. She even endured a barrel of ice water being poured over her.
A test of her resolve that Judith considered the most significant involved holding a boa constrictor. Despite being reassured that the snake was sleepy after feeding, she couldn’t control her nerves with the approaching snake. She began to shake so much that the snake climbed into her dress anxiously. In that moment, she pushed herself to calm her body and the snake, which captured her ability to lead under pressure. Her willingness to face the uncomfortable defines her approach to the mission. Though she understandably vowed that she would never repeat that experience.
“Judith is a truly modern CEO in that, in addition to the historically necessary traits of leadership, organisation and vision, she also demonstrates empathy, authenticity and resilience and importantly she listens.  These are not only essentials in our fast changing, problematic world but are also critically important skills for you to depict if you lead an organisation in which the young look to you as a role model.” – Margaret Casely-Hayford, Patron of The Girls’ Brigade England & Wales
The 3 Ps: Purpose, Poodles, and Perspective
Beyond the demands of national leadership, Judith remains firmly tied to her community and her intellectual curiosity. She balances her role at the Girls’ Brigade with significant voluntary responsibilities, serving as the Chair of a mental health charity, the Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Committee for the Methodist Church, and a trustee of Salisbury Cathedral.
A self-confessed “geek,” she spends her rare solitary moments studying, recently earning diplomas in subjects as varied as canine genetics and the ethics of AI.
A love for simple, grounded joys matches this intellectual drive. She is often found in her garden with a cup of coffee and her three toy poodles, indifferent to the pouring rain. She delights in sharing these interests with her granddaughters, who share her love for dogs, horses, fossil hunting, and camping. Whether she is navigating nuanced matters of board governance or exploring the outdoors, Judith’s life is a testament to the power of staying curious. She is transforming a historic heritage into a progressive, responsive movement, proving that a leader can be both a guardian of tradition and a pioneer for the future.
“As Thirtyone-eight, we have been delighted to work with The Girls Brigade in development of the new Safeguarding badge. This is such a good opportunity to educate girls and young women but also, more importantly, to reinforce the beliefs and behaviours that equip us all to live in a safer world.” – Peter Wharrad, Board Chair ThirtyOne:Eight
The Path Forward
Judith is making sure the Girls’ Brigade is much more than a historical footnote. Her focus remains on a single, vital goal. Every girl deserves a trusted adult who will actually listen to her and protect her, no matter where she comes from. By tying the organisation’s long heritage to the messy, digital realities of 2026, she has turned a traditional institution into a movement that actually works for this generation. It is a transformation built on contemplative conviction rather than loud gestures. For Judith, the work is never quite finished, but the mission has found its footing for the years ahead.
