Portraits of some of the UK’s most extraordinary and pioneering women have been unveiled at an exhibition to mark International Women’s Day.
The women are all named on Independent Women 2026 – The Influence List, a compilation of the country’s 50 most influential women shaping the world around us. Featuring women across art, politics, sport, and business, the list s focused on the theme “give to gain”, in recognition of the extraordinary sacrifices many of these women have had to make to succeed.
Topping the list this year is England’s super sub Chloe Kelly, who has become something of a national hero for her knack for pulling her team out of sticky situations. The Arsenal and England forward has taken the number one spot for her outstanding athletic achievements which are not only inspiring young people, but changing football itself.
Claudia Winkleman, the Princess of Wales, Shabana Mahmood and Lily Allen are also named on the list, which was released ahead of International Women’s Day.
Portraits of nine of the women have have been captured by visionary photographer Sane Seven in celebration of their phenomenal achievements. The powerful images are on display in an exhibition at Outernet London from 8 March until 31 March.
Each woman has been asked about their experiences and thoughts around the female experience. These video interviews will be screened alongside the portraits at Outernet, the most visited cultural attraction in the UK.
The exhibition is held in partnership with the UK’s largest domestic abuse charity Refuge, with attendees learning about the organisation’s vital work and encouraged to support its lifesaving services.
It will be free to view for all at the space near Tottenham Court Road station. Visitors are invited to give their support to Refuge by texting IWD to 70470 to donate £10.
Chloe Hubbard, UK Editor of The Independent, said: “Now in its fourth year, our influence list has become a beloved annual staple that we are all so incredibly proud of. Once again, the women included in the list were hotly debated by our panel for weeks before eventually agreeing on the order. We feel our list represents what was an extraordinary year for women’s achievement – particularly on the global sporting stage. There was very little argument when it came to our number one, Chloe Kelly – a truly remarkable and resilient character who captured the hearts of the nation when she netted that final penalty in Euro 2025.”
“We have once again partnered with Sane Seven, whose art captures some of the trailblazers on our list. We’ve always known how good she is, but it’s becoming increasingly easy to persuade our listees to be photographed thanks to Sane’s truly unique talent. We are excited to see her work displayed on the screens at Outernet London in support of Refuge throughout March.”
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Jessica Dracup-Holland, Chief Marketing Officer at Outernet added:“We’re incredibly proud to welcome this powerful collaboration with The Independent back to Outernet for a third consecutive year. Together, we’ve created a platform where storytelling, journalism and creativity meet at scale, transforming our screens into a space where women’s voices, achievements and lived experiences can be seen by thousands of visitors every day.”
“Each year this partnership has grown in ambition and impact, and continues to amplify representation, champion cultural leadership and creates meaningful moments of connection with our audiences. International Women’s Day is an opportunity not only to celebrate extraordinary women, but to spark conversations that inspire progress. At Outernet, we are honoured to help bring these stories to life in the heart of central London.”
Laura Burnell, Head of Communications and Marketing at Refuge remarked: “Refuge is delighted to once again be part of The Independent’s Influential Women exhibition for International Women’s Day. This platform helps shine a light on women driving change, and it comes at a crucial moment. With one in four women facing domestic abuse in her lifetime, Refuge’s work has never been more vital. Our longstanding partnership with The Independent keeps domestic abuse visible and shines a light on our life‑saving work.”
Sane Seven, Photographer said: “For this project with The Independent, I wanted the portraits to feel measured and real. These are women who hold serious influence, and the photographs needed to reflect both their achievement and the fact that equality is still being worked through across the world.”
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