5. Julie Bentley

Since 2012, Julie Bentley has been Chief Executive of Girlguiding (The Girl Guide Association), one of the biggest organisations for girls and young women in the UK, with more than half a million members. She made waves when days after her appointment she described Girlguiding as the “ultimate feminist organisation” and has modernised the image of the 104 year old organisation. She oversaw the decision by girl guides to support the No More Page 3 Campaign, and is behind its latest #BeBodyConfident campaign, focusing on low self-esteem and tackling what is describes as a body image crisis.

Julie Bentley launched the ‘Be the Change’ campaign, “to give girls an even louder voice on the issues that matter to them now so they can help build a society they want to live in”. Last year, Girlguiding dropped its historical allegiance to God and country.

She has worked in the third sector for over twenty years and is former chief executive of both the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and the Family Planning Association. She has also worked for substance misuse charity ARP and was chair of the Greater London Association of Alcohol Services. She is also a trustee of Shelter and Get Connected.