Banco Santander has announced the launch of the 16th edition of its SW50 female leadership programme, aiming to identify and support 50 top international women executives. The initiative is delivered in partnership with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
This year’s programme will include nine local editions across Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay. In each country, 50 finalists will be chosen based on their professional experience, motivation, and community impact. These national finalists can then register for the global SW50 call via Santander Open Academy before January 7, 2026.
Selected participants will become part of the international SW50 community and receive access to an online course on female leadership led by LSE. They will also have the opportunity to attend a public event alongside other national winners.
The 450 women who reach this stage will compete for a place among the top 50 international leaders. Winners will participate in an in-person training programme in London provided by LSE. The programme includes tuition fees, networking activities, accommodation, coaching sessions—both individual and group—and aims to help participants refine their leadership styles while expanding their global networks.
Over its 15-year history, more than 1,300 women have participated in SW50. This year’s summit in London brought together 500 alumnae to discuss topics such as ethical leadership, diversity management during crises, and artificial intelligence’s role in decision-making.
Banco Santander states that it has supported over 3.7 million people and businesses through education-focused initiatives over nearly three decades. The bank reports allocating more than €2.4 billion towards these efforts and was recently recognized on Fortune magazine’s “Change the World” list for 2025 (www.santander.com/universities).
The London School of Economics and Political Science is noted for its expertise across social sciences disciplines including economics and data science. It was named University of the Year 2025 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.