Tag Archives: international women’s day

Finance and Banking, Investment, Investment News, News

Fewer than a third of women feel confident about investing: HSBC UK

HSBC UK has unveiled research shedding light on the differences in financial attitudes and behaviours between men and women, particularly in the realms of saving and investing.

The study, conducted by HSBC UK, unveils concerning statistics, with two in three women (69%) admitting to lacking confidence when it comes to investing money. One in four women (27%) abstain from investing altogether due to a perceived lack of knowledge in the field.

Two in five people in the UK invest but around two thirds (67%) of women don’t invest their money, compared to 56% of men. In fact, 3.3 million fewer women hold investments in the UK compared to men – a population three times the size of Birmingham.

The main reasons include not having enough money (45%), limited knowledge on investing (27%) and thinking it is too risky (19%). Two thirds (60%) of women believe they will lose out on money if they invest.

Recognising the urgency of addressing this confidence gap, HSBC UK has launched a series of ‘inspiring money confidence’ webinars, tailored to empower women to enhance their financial wellbeing. These webinars, open to both customers and non-customers, aim to equip women with the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate the complex landscape of personal finance effectively.

Rebecca Owers, Director of Wealth Distribution at HSBC UK, underscores the importance of financial education in empowering women to seize control of their financial futures.

“Women are facing significant barriers when it comes to money. We are living longer but can earn less than our male counterparts. We take more career breaks, but we need to work an extra 19 years to retire on the same pension savings as a man.

“We need to make our money work harder, so it’s important to consider options like investing. Financial education is key here – by talking openly about money and learning the different options available, women can gain the confidence needed to take control of their financial futures.”

Diversity, International Women's Day, News

Norfolk housebuilder’s employee advocates diversity for International Women’s Day

A Commercial Manager working for Norfolk developer Barratt and David Wilson Homes Anglia has highlighted her experiences of diversity for International Women’s Day (8th March).

This year’s International Women’s Day campaign theme, #InspireInclusion, envisions a world where gender equality flourishes, free from bias, stereotypes, or discrimination. It’s a vision of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive society where differences are not only accepted, but celebrated.

Sian Tinkler (36), who joined the developer’s team as a Senior Surveyor in June 2022 and swiftly climbed to the role of Commercial Manager, reflects on her experience with diversity in the industry.

Based at the developer’s regional office in Norwich, Sian’s role as a Commercial Manager involves overseeing her team’s operations, collaborating with other departments to meet objectives, and proactively addressing challenges.

Drawn to the dynamic and rewarding nature of the housebuilding industry, Sian notes a positive shift in diversity during her tenure and acknowledges that progress continues to unfold.

She said: “While historically the construction industry has been perceived as male-dominated, I believe that there has been a positive shift over time.

“A greater effort is being made to encourage diversity and gender equality, although there is still progress to be made. It’s important for the industry to continue to promote inclusivity and break down gender stereotypes.”

Sian believes there are many ways for employers to create a diverse workspace and #InspireInclusion amongst employees.

She added: “The best ways for an employer to inspire inclusion are by fostering a culture of diversity, providing training on unconscious bias, promoting open communication, and actively encouraging diversity in leadership roles. Establishing mentorship programs and creating a supportive work environment are also effective measures.

“When it comes to Barratt and David Wilson Homes, our team is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. This includes initiatives such as diversity training, mentorship programs, and actively encouraging a culture of openness and respect.

“I believe this contributes to creating an environment where differences are valued and celebrated.”

Recognising the significance of encouraging more women to enter traditionally male-dominated sectors, Sian underscores the invaluable contributions that women bring to the construction industry.

She said: “It’s important to provide and promote opportunities for women, as women bring unique perspectives and skills that contribute to the industry’s success.

“I believe that Barratt and David Wilson Homes offers excellent support and opportunities for women in the construction industry. The team really values diversity and actively works towards creating an inclusive workplace.”

When asked for her advice to give to women who are considering a career within the construction industry, Sian said: “My advice is to embrace the challenges, be confident in your abilities, and seek out mentorship opportunities. Don’t be afraid to voice your ideas and contribute to the team. The construction industry is evolving, and your unique perspective is a valuable asset.”

For more information about the career opportunities available at Barratt and David Wilson Homes, visit the website at Barratt Careers.

For details about any developments in the county, visit the websites at Barratt Homes in Norfolk and David Wilson Homes in Norfolk.

Accountancy, Business, Economy & Jobs News, Sustainability

Women are key to the success of the green transition

On International Women’s Day, ACCA underlines the need to address gender inequality in sustainability  

 

Women have a crucial role to play in the green economy. But leading global accountancy body ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is concerned that women are in danger of being left behind in the green transition. On International Women’s Day (IWD), ACCA is calling on governments, policymakers and employers to make a reality of the 2024 UN IWD theme ‘Invest in women: accelerate progress.’ 

 

ACCA highlights that 80% of people displaced by climate change are women, and women are fourteen times more likely to die in climate emergencies than men. And UN data shows how women led households lose 8% more income to heat-stress than male led households. 

 

Emmeline Skelton, head of sustainability, ACCA, said: “Women work extensively in sectors such as agriculture where they are disproportionately exposed to climate-related events. On the other hand, they are underrepresented in sectors that are benefitting from the transition to net zero such as construction, utilities and manufacturing. This imbalance needs to be urgently addressed.” 

 

ACCA is working on this inequality through its focus on gender responsive budgeting (GRB), which measures impacts of gender inequality and mitigates them through targeted policies and budgets.  

 

Jessica Bingham, regional lead, policy & insights – EEMA and UK, is looking at how this can help investment in women. She said: “Gender responsive budgeting can help to identify and address differences by allocating resources to help resilience building. Women often leave the workplace to fulfil unpaid caring responsibilities. In many areas of the globe, work and employment issues are exacerbated by climate change where women have limited access to resources, loss of livelihood and food insecurity.”  

 

The accountancy profession is not immune to these issues. Women leave the profession at a much higher rate than men. In large accountancy firms, estimates suggest around 60% of the graduate intake are women, but that figures falls to an estimated 20%-30% at manager level.  

 

ACCA is providing education through initiatives such as workshops on the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). ACCA is working specifically with public sector finance professionals to understand how gender responsive budgeting could be used to address the widening gender gap.  

 

Finance professionals have a vital role in the transition to net zero. ACCA research reveals that CFOs believe the finance function has a key role to play in business moving towards a sustainable business model creating long-term value. For instance, by grasping upskilling opportunities the finance profession can become the guardians of ESG (environmental, social and governance) corporate data.  

 

Skelton said: “In order to make progress we need to look at these issues from a holistic perspective. That is why ACCA supports the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) addressing gender, poverty and inequality. 

 

“The good news on IWD is the more I research this area the more I’m convinced women can create wonderful opportunities for themselves and for the rest of society in the green economy.” 

 

Watch here to see Emmeline and Jessica discuss green transition. 

Read ACCA’s transition report,
International Women's Day, News

Women Leading the Charge: The B Corp Empowering Tomorrow’s Investors

In celebration of International Women’s Month and the theme #InspireInclusion for International Women’s Day, Paradigm Norton, a leading financial planning firm, is proud to highlight its commitment to empowering women in financial planning.

Farida Hassanali, Client Relationship Manager at Paradigm Norton, emphasises the transformative impact of encouraging women to embrace their role as investors. “With the right education resources, women can use that knowledge to be just as confident as men, and once encouraged, they are significantly more likely to invest. And they are likely to be successful,” states Hassanali. Research by Fidelity Investments shows that women consistently achieve better investment returns than men, by an average margin of 0.4% source.

Recognising the pivotal role women often play as the ‘CEO of the household,’ making daily financial decisions, Paradigm Norton understands the importance of building confidence in long-term wealth planning. Advisers at Paradigm Norton proactively engage with women, acknowledging their unique financial perspectives and goals.

Farida Hassanali shares insights into their approach, stating, “We always default to speaking with couples together, but setting up separate meetings with both parties early in the relationship can really make a difference in helping both partners feel more engaged and comfortable in the process that follows.”

Paradigm Norton’s commitment to #InspireInclusion goes beyond traditional financial planning. The firm is dedicated to fostering an environment where women feel empowered, informed, and confident in their financial decisions. By acknowledging and addressing the distinct financial roles women often hold, Paradigm Norton aims to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable financial landscape.

“At Paradigm Norton, we adopt a unique approach to financial planning. We coach our clients to consider the broader perspective of their life goals and the significant impacts they can make with their wealth. We take pride in the fact that our team is made up of 56% females, and a third of our financial planners are women. This is a significant shift in an industry where the norm is 84% male financial advisors” Barry Horner, CEO of Paradigm Norton, an award-winning financial planning firm (Source: Personal Finance Society)

As International Women’s Day approaches, Paradigm Norton reaffirms its dedication to empowering women in financial planning and looks forward to continuing to champion inclusion in the years to come.

Please note investing places your capital at risk and the value of investments may fall or rise. You should seek competent advice before taking any action. 

Paradigm Norton Financial Planning Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 

 

Business, Business News

Leading with inclusion: Women pioneering change at Hospital Innovations

Hospital Innovations, a leading UK medical supply company, is set to mark International Women’s Day on March 8th, 2024, by reaffirming its commitment to the theme of #InspireInclusion

At the helm of this initiative are Sarah Lister-Sims, Kate Fisher, and Rachel McClure, leaders within the Pontyclun-based organisation, which boasts a leadership team where women hold 50% of key positions.

Sarah Lister-Sims, serving as Managing Director since 2008, has been instrumental in shaping the company’s trajectory within the UK Human Tissue market. Drawing from her extensive experience across various male-dominated industries, Sarah champions ethical practices and gender parity within Hospital Innovations and the broader industry landscape.

Sarah said: “I have spent my whole career in male dominated industries – retail, oil and gas, and blow mould manufacturing, prior to medical. I have personally experienced bias and the focus on obstacles, not just for women, but also for young people, especially young females.

“It is important to encourage each other and to be proud of being ambitious. As we experience success, we have a duty to be part of the solution and not just point out obstacles or other women’s shortfalls.

“Here at Hospital Innovations, we have an equal opportunity policy which I am proud to say is alive and well.  Both men and women are empowered and encourage each other. There is no bias to getting hired or being promoted, as we evidence. I am proud of our inclusive work culture that finds solutions for the challenges that women experience whilst working.

“Our senior men recognise the female talent pipeline as much as we do; and together we are able to celebrate our differences, working together in a stronger fashion. Our male colleagues act as champions to help women advance and succeed. I really believe that they agree women should not be the exception in any decision-making process; hence the 50/50 ratio that we have.”

Kate Fisher, appointed Operations Manager in 2020, oversees the functioning of supply chain operations across multiple sites, ensuring efficiency and adherence to regulatory standards. With a strong commitment to ethical conduct and operational excellence, Kate plays a pivotal role in maintaining Hospital Innovations’ reputation for reliability and quality service delivery.

Kate stated: “I’m fortunate to have a fantastic team at each of our supply chain sites, who represent a mix of not only genders, but also ages and ethnicities. We are proud to celebrate diversity within our modern-day workforce.

“I’m confident in the knowledge and experience that I bring to my role but welcome ideas and suggestions from my team to improve the processes we perform and the service that we offer to our customers. I strongly believe that a diverse team is integral to the generation of new ideas, across a mix of different strengths and views.

“I have two young daughters and hope to inspire them and to show them that they can follow whatever career path they choose in the future”.

Rachel McClure, serving as Medical Education Manager, brings over two decades of experience to her role, advocating for education and inclusivity within the orthopaedic sector. In her role, Rachel is responsible for enhancing medical education initiatives, facilitating knowledge sharing, and promoting best practices in the field of Human Tissue allograft.

Rachel remarked: “I have been passionate about IWD and their work for many years. I believe in inspiring inclusion by leading as an example. It’s up to all of us to break down gender bias and encourage those around us to fulfil their potential.

“I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of inclusivity, and I’m committed to playing my part in driving positive change. By championing diversity and equality in my actions and leadership, I hope to inspire others to join me in the journey towards a more inclusive and equitable workforce.”

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is observed annually on March 8th and serves as a call to action for accelerating gender parity and promoting women’s rights worldwide. IWD has been celebrated for over a century and is recognised as a significant occasion to raise awareness about gender equality issues, celebrate women’s accomplishments, and advocate for positive change.

About Hospital Innovations:

Hospital Innovations is a Human Tissue Authority (HTA) licensed supplier of specialist products, including human tissue and specialist medical instruments, used in orthopaedic and corrective surgeries, working in partnership with five of the world’s leading tissue banks.

International Women's Day, News

Progression with freedom – fierce leaders sharing stories, views and anecdotes on #breakthebias

Written by Mahima Tamang Shrestha, Co-founder and Director – Purple Tree PR 

To those who think this is yet another feminist article, I would say yes, but if you believe this is only a feminist article, let me surprise you. For years we’ve been debating on a radical idea of what feminism is, but that’s what it is, a radical vision of a woman’s morality not being her only job. Time and again, when I have voiced my opinion on ‘feminism’, my peers have confused it with “ignorance about men”, but what I actually wanted to reflect is on maintaining the political, social, economic equality we have been fortunate enough to throw light and implement upon in most parts of society. 

Talking about equality in the 21st century may still seem anachronous to a lot. Indeed we have progressed with time and earned our freedom which seemed a far off thought earlier. Yet, there still exists matters that need to be discussed. Since every conscious effort counts as an initiative to achieve a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world this women’s day, we grabbed the opportunity to steer a conversation with a few eminent influential personalities from UK, India and Australia. We discussed their views on Progression with Freedom and were delighted to hear their stories on matters they felt needed to be addressed.

Talking about the ability to change, Isobell Cowell, Founder of Dear Future Marketer, says, “If I could change one thing, it would be to have more people understand that a bias does exist and that way it would be easier to address and make changes.” One out of many things that she thinks is needed to change is the ability of female leaders to lead and make difficult decisions. Also, removing words like “Sheo” from our vocabulary, she is just a ‘CEO’.”

Discussing the obstacles female entrepreneurs face during their business journey, we got an opportunity to hear the stories of Amanda Baker, Founder & Creator of 5 Stories. According to Amanda, “One obstacle that every female entrepreneur might face at some point in her business journey is “Hands down, imposter syndrome. She’s that annoying voice that says things like, “You’re not good enough. You haven’t got what it takes. You’re not tough enough.” And she loves to make you compare yourself to others. When she shows up, I politely say this. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say this to you. I AM WORTHY AND I BELONG HERE.” Honestly, I can completely resonate with this. 

Yasemin Akyol Basar, a Freelance journalist from Australia, believes that the terminology used to differentiate men and women in the workforce empowers gender parity. Yasemin says, “Bossy vs assertive, emotional vs passionate, ambitious vs greedy. We cannot say we have achieved parity until there is a parity in terminology. Young female leaders are judged to a higher standard than their male colleagues. A young female leader climbing the corporate ladder is assumed to have broken many hearts along the way. Assumptions made and words used matter.” When we talked to Yasemin about how is the corporate industry changing its policies to provide equal opportunity and employability for genderqueer people? She replied,” Social attitudes toward LGBTQi+ community and a person’s sexuality continue to be fed by bias. This is especially true for trans people. Concerning genderqueer people, the corporate industry lags even further.’ According to Yasemin, ‘There need to be further punitive measures, and educational campaigns as passing laws is not enough. We all should ensure they are implemented, as well.`

Various elements need to be addressed regarding gender bias issues and breaking stereotypes in this generation. When we asked Jules Brooke, Founder – Handle Your Own PR, and She’s The Boss (Australia) concerning this, she said, “I think the most important things are to close the pay gap so that women and men are paid equally for the same job. I also think every corporation must have an equal number of men and women on their boards if we are to truly change things.”

Women globally have evinced the relentless vigour of women in power. Sheryl Sandberg – COO of Facebook, a 52-year old American, forged her way to success in the corporate world when things were not that easy. We have witnessed several robust, intelligent and inspirational women pioneers who have stood for women’s rights while also defining the worlds of science, mathematics, aviation, and literature as an inventor, scientists, and leaders. My recent inspiration has been Malala Yousafzai, who advocates women’s rights to education. It may sound basic, but it is rudimentary in empowering women. 

We had the honour of having a conversation with Naaz Joshi, Miss World Diversity 2017, 2018, 2019, Miss Universe Diversity 2020 and Miss Trans Queen India 2018, on what aspects of this year’s theme of International Women’s Day, #breakthebias, still needs to be addressed in breaking stereotypes and gender bias issues even in this generation? To this, she responded, “I am thrilled that this year the theme is #breakthebias. Before I speak about transgender discrimination or transphobia, some people do not prefer to have a girl child as female foeticide, and infanticide is highest in India. I believe when the state of women in India is still so regressive, when will we, the trans women, be able to stall tall and talk about our rights?”  

Citing some of her personal experience, Naaz shares a few anecdotes,” If I have to pick one thing that is still there in this generation is the right to equality. No matter how big a celebrity from the trans community I am, people still look at me with raised brows. People in my country don’t want to call me a celebrity because I belong to a marginalised community known for begging, clapping and prostitution, and people want to see me at that place only. I am not a gimmick, so pls don’t use me to show that you are doing it for me or to show the world you care when my very existence is a taboo for society.“

We have come a long way, yet we still have a long way to go. Only through tiny steps like encouraging individuals to promote gender-equal workplaces, boardrooms, government, workplaces, sports, health and wealth can we achieve a gender-equal world, free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination based on gender. A more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world, where difference is valued and celebrated, because together, we can forge egalitarianism, and collectively, we can all #BreakTheBias.

Author: Mahima Tamang Shrestha, Co-founder and Director – Purple Tree PR 

International Women's Day, News

Hootsuite celebrates International Women’s Day with World Woman Hour

#myLEADhER campaign honours 60 women in 60 minutes who are fighting inequality and breaking stereotypes for women in their industries

 Today on International Women’s Day, Hootsuite will power the second annual World Woman Hour, a global digital celebration dedicated to highlighting inspirational stories of women from all walks of life.

Led by the World Woman Foundation, the socially-enabled movement aims to mentor one million women by 2030 and will feature inspiring stories from 60 women, told in 60 seconds — presented together in a powerful 60 minutes of film. The hour will inform viewers about how women, every hour, lack access to healthcare, education, sanitation, energy, equal pay, and its impact on gender inequalities worldwide. 

According to UN Women, every hour, members of national parliaments or legislatures are making decisions on important issues, and only 25% of all national parliamentarians are women. The World Woman Hour honourees will share perspectives to lead the new era of a sustainable, peaceful, healthier, and equitable world for women and girls around the world.


“The goal is to harness digital platforms to engage and empower one million women and girls by 2030 with wisdom, advice, confidence boosters and lessons to follow their dreams and ambitions,” said Rupa Dash, Co-founder & CEO, World Woman Foundation. “We are so excited to be able to use social media for good, and share 60 hero stories of women to drive awareness of women’s and girls’ critical issues globally.”  

Despite progress in recent years, there is still much work to be done in addressing obstacles, disparities and gender gaps that women continue to tackle. According to Hootsuite’s Digital 2022 report, men account for nearly 54% of global social media users, while women account for 36%.


“We are thrilled to be a strategic partner for #WorldWomanHour for the second year running,” said Eva Taylor, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Hootsuite. “We continue to see disparity and inequality for women at a global scale, and we know that the gender gap has further widened due to the pandemic. This makes collaborative initiatives such as World Woman Hour more important and impactful than ever before, in order to help drive positive social change and champion the power of human connection to create a global movement that addresses such a critical issue.” 

The event will bring together a group of inspirational women from across the globe who are challenging the status quo and disrupting their industries. A few notable speakers include:

  • Lauren Ridloff, Tony-nominated actress, Marvel Cinematic Universe Superhero
  • Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General & Co-Chair of UN-Energy
  • Ashlan Gorse Cousteau, Journalist, explorer, ocean advocate & author
  • Brooke Baldwin, Award-winning journalist, thought leader
  • Leyna Bloom, Model, activist & actor
  • Shohreh Aghdashloo, Emmy winner, Oscar-nominated actress
  • Tegan and Sara Quin, Canadian indie-pop duo
  • Hannah Marcina Bronfman, Advocate, author, founder of HBFIT & investor
  • Maya Higa, Founder of Alveus Sanctuary
  • Christina Koch, Engineer & NASA astronaut

These women have fought against stereotypes and persevered through personal and professional challenges to achieve ideas that are changing the world. The event will premiere on Facebook Live and on the World Woman Foundation YouTube channel on March 8, starting at 1pm EST/10am PST.

For the latest additional news and information, visit  www.worldwomanhour.com. Follow World Woman Hour on Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter, and Facebook to see more and share your hero using the #myLEADhER hashtag. 

News

Your Business and the Magic of March

By Sid Madge, Meee

Birthdays are good for business: everyone has one, everyone likes to feel special, and celebrating the birthdays of colleagues should be on every list of maintaining morale activities. Regardless of the drawbacks of virtual cake, even if your team works from home, it really is worth taking the time to bring everyone together to share small, smile inducing moments like this.

This got me and my team thinking about all the special occasions and celebrations that there are around the world, and the opportunities they give us to bring us a little bit of joy and magic. Here are a few occasions in March could be a great excuse for more joy and magic?

8th March: International Women’s Day

There are so many great women past and present, but (apart from my mum) one I am particularly in awe of is Marie Curie. Curie is recognised for her ground-breaking Nobel Prize-winning discoveries and helping to break gender barriers during her lifetime. Curie was the first person in the world, male or female, to win two Nobel Prizes. Her family won four! And she managed it all without a fancy lab. During WW1, Marie Curie developed mobile radiology units which were used at the front hospitals in Furnes, Hoogstade, Adinkerke, De Panne, Beveren and Roesbrugge. Training 150 women to operate the “Little Curie” it is estimated that the total number of wounded soldiers receiving X-ray exams during the war exceeded one million.

Take a moment to think of all the amazing women in your life that bring magic to your world. Make a point of expressing your appreciation – you don’t need to limit yourself to doing this on March 8th. A little more appreciation for all the people we are grateful for is a wonderful way to spread more magic and boost morale.

20th March: UN International Day of Happiness

Although happiness can mean different things to different people, one element is common to us all. And that’s the messages sent by a genuine smile. This is possibly the only truly international recognisable and understandable symbol of happiness in the world. In a study conducted in the UK, British researchers found that one smile can provide the same level of brain stimulation as up to 2,000 chocolate bars.

Psychologists have also found that even if we have to force a smile, the very act of turning your lips upward can trick our brain into releasing certain feel-good hormones, including dopamine and serotonin. As a result, our stress levels lower, our immune system gets a little boost, and our overall mood improves. Researchers have even discovered that a smile can lower our heart rate when we’re feeling anxious.

It’s also worth remembering that happiness is not a permanent state. Often, it’s fleeting as we go about our daily activities but when we pay attention to the little moments that make us happy and revel in them, we can draw out our sense of wellbeing. Is your morning coffee just amazing or did you enjoy chatting to a client or customer? Often, it’s the simplest of things like singing Happy Birthday to a colleague that sprinkles our lives with magic. We don’t need the grand gestures or the amazing holiday – we just need to pay attention to some of the little things that bring us joy and wallow in them for a little longer.

Take a moment to smile at someone. Just notice the world around you and smile. Like a smile, smiling is contagious.

26th March: Make Up Your Own Holiday Day

I’m particularly excited about this one! Make Up Your Own Holiday Day was the holiday created to encourage people to do more of what they love. Now there are a tonne of interesting, intriguing and imaginative holidays already out there, like World Stationery Day (April the 22nd), National Spaghetti Day (4th of January), National Hugging Day (21st January) and National Zipper Day (April the 29th). What’s fascinating is the imagination and creativity to name, create and participate in such great activities.

Take a moment to consider what your ‘make up your own holiday’ will be. Perhaps you could introduce something that will be fun for your team: Wear a Hat To Work Day; Donut Day; Lunchtime Quiz Day.

Whatever March brings to you and your team, enjoy the little wins, go searching for them if you have to and spread the magic around.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sid Madge is a transformation and change specialist and founder of Meee. Meee draws on the best creativity and thinking from the worlds of branding, psychology, neuroscience, education and sociology, to help people embrace change and achieve extraordinary lives.

From pupils to CEOs, Meee has helped thousands find their magic to transform themselves, their communities and their organisations. From leaders of PLCs and SMEs to parents, teachers, students, carers, the unemployed and prison inmates Meee helps people excel.

Sid Madge is also author of the ‘Meee in Minute’ series of books which each offer 60 ways to change your life, work-, or family-life in 60 seconds.

Web: www.meee.global

Web: www.meeebooks.com

Twitter twitter.com/Meee_HQ
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MeeeHQ/
Instagram www.instagram.com/meeehq
YouTube https://youtu.be/fISupZWZMQc
TEDx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR3Cyjs62c8

 

Events, News, South East

Link & Learn with Exceptional Women from Dorset and Hampshire, while raising funds for The Minstead Trust

‘Break the bias’ on International Women’s Day (8th March) at Padua Communications’ fundraising event.

Businesses in Hampshire and Dorset are invited to ‘break the bias’ by attending a unique Link & Learn event on International Women’s Day at The Minstead Trust’s Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Lyndhurst, Hampshire. Be inspired by stories of women who have taken on bias in their workplaces and gain practical tips on creating a gender equal workplace, all while raising funds for life-changing local charity, The Minstead Trust.

Inspired by International Women’s Day, Fordingbridge-based content and PR agency Padua Communications is taking its monthly Link & Learn session to Hanger Farm Arts Centre. Founder and Managing Director of Padua Communications, Nicky Rudd, has brought together a spectacular lineup of inspirational speakers for this exclusive event. Each speaker will share their view on the role of women in business and the challenges they have overcome to break the bias in their workplaces and industries.

The Dorset and Hampshire-based speakers include:

  • Facilitator and change expert Jo Hompstead, founder of Connect Up
  • Sarah Wrixon of family-run brokerage Summers Insurance
  • Lucy Tidbury, artist and gallery owner at Lucy’s Farm in Swanage
  • Sales expert Kristy Davies-Sumpter of Zest Consultancy
  • Executive Coach and Business Mentor Angie Beeston from Evolution 4 Business

International Women’s Day, March 8th, is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year’s theme is ‘break the bias’. Everyone is invited to actively highlight gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping in every aspect of society, from workplaces, communities, and schools, to create a gender equal world.

The event takes place at Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Lyndhurst, part of The Minstead Trust, a charity that Padua Communications has supported for several years. The Minstead Trust nurtures the unique potential of people with learning disabilities.

Its work includes providing training and support services through social enterprises Furzey Gardens, Hanger Farm Arts Centre and Minstead Lodge conference and events venue. The International Women’s Day Link & Learn event will also celebrate 1928, the year women got the vote, as part of the Furzey Gardens centenary appeal.

Nicky Rudd, Managing Director of Padua Communications, says: “The Minstead Trust’s main lodge has adapted how it works as a venue because of Covid-19. This has had a huge impact on funds coming into the charity, which does amazing work for adults with learning difficulties.

As a female business owner, I always try and celebrate International Women’s Day. This year, organising a fundraising event seemed like the best idea. It will be great to run a face-to-face event, and the women that have agreed to share their stories are exceptional in their fields. What makes this extra special is that I have met a lot of them during lockdown. I am really thrilled that we can showcase their talent to help others on their business journeys, as well as raise funds for an amazing charity.”

Tickets to the event are priced at £18, including lunch and refreshments, with all proceeds going to The Minstead Trust.

Spaces are limited, so book early via Eventbrite to secure your place at this inspirational event.

News

International Women’s Day; what does it really mean to you? A crowdsourced article

By Ruth Cornish, co-founder and director of HRi

International Women’s Day falls on March 8th 2021. This year the theme is choose to challenge. Because – put simply- a challenged world is an alert world. We can all choose to challenge by calling out gender bias and inequality. Likewise, we can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements too.

But what does International Women’s day mean to me? And how do I choose to challenge?

Well as someone who entered the workplace having become a parent as a teenager, it has been my privilege as a senior HR professional to spot and call out unconscious bias and challenge gender stereotypes. My advice to all women is to be clear on what you personally and professionally stand for and ensure every action reconfirms this. My mantra is to always make it my mission to choose to challenge anything that needs my intervention and I truly hope others follow suit with this too.

With this in mind, below are a number of comments from some truly inspiring people talking about what International Women’s Day (IWD) means to them and how they have also made it their mission to choose to challenge the status quo.

Take a read to find out more in our crowdsourced IWD blog…

Sophie Cornish, Managing Partner Busby & Fox and Founder notonthehighstreet.com:

“International Women’s Day has gained so much momentum in the past decade. As our agendas have changed and developed over those years, so has the meaning – for me – of IWD. What I see in this year’s theme, #choosetochallenge, is a fresh generation of young women who are challenging us all to think and live differently. Whether they’re addressing issues of discrimination, inequality or the environment, I think we should celebrate the new wave of female activists who are finding the voice and the following that’s needed to make ours a better world for everyone.”

Lucinda Carney, CEO of Actus:

“We need to be more mindful than ever in 2021 about the gender inequality caused by women continuing to do the lion’s share of unpaid work caused by homeschooling and homeworking and the associated stresses. I would love to see managers actively encouraging homeworking fathers to ensure that they are sharing these burdens more equally”

Matt Stark, Partner at Mazars:

“In helping to build the foundations of a fair and prosperous world, Mazars has a responsibility to create a diverse and inclusive environment, with true equality of opportunity and the ability for each of our people to bring their whole selves to work. This is at the heart of our commitment to inclusion and diversity, and underpins our work towards ensuring that gender balance is represented at all levels of seniority across the firm. In 2021 we are proud to celebrate International Women’s Day and support its message to #ChooseToChallenge.”

Sir Peter Estlin, Alderman of the City of London Corporation:

“Diversity of thought is a critical component of the boardroom, yet few boards seldom fully reflect the breadth of their stakeholders, the people they employ, or those they serve. As we mark IWD again, let’s recognise what it represents and think about how each of us can bring greater diversity to our boards, to the decisions we make and the outcomes we seek.”

Debbie Leverson, Head of HR at Coverys Managing Agency Ltd:

“Commencing my career as an HR professional within largely male dominated environments, I have observed over the last few years a very positive shift, with conscious and effective steps being implemented by organisations to be more inclusive and diverse. The role of women especially in leadership has significantly improved and I am proud to be a part of this change. I am excited for the future, not only diversity and inclusion as a whole, but the role of women in my company expanding in a positive and collaborative way across all levels.”

Anabela Yourell, Director of Stress Free HR Ltd:

“Having suffered pregnancy and maternity discrimination with my first child, a time that was supposed to be full of joy, I know first-hand the effects of that type of prejudice. I have unfortunately had the pleasure of successfully supporting many friends with this too… I believe there is still a lot of work to be done to educate management on how to treat the news of a newly pregnant employee, unconscious bias and effective communication and inclusion during the maternity leave period!”

Clare Hodcroft, Director at Spark People Solutions:

“I have learnt so much from some fantastic senior female leaders, but the biggest learning was to stay true to who I am and what I believe in. Don’t ever compromise your values or try to be someone you are not; if it is not working find an organisation with a culture that is right for you, life is too short! This year continues to be tough, be brave, be kind, be realistic, be a great role model for other women. As Judy Garland said “Always be the first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”

Lynne Ingram, Managing Associate, Freeths LLP:

“IWD means to me a time to reflect on the “firsts”. These “firsts” may arise from a conscious challenge to gender injustice (to name a few the Ford Machinists Strike which led to the Equal Pay Act 1970, Kathrine Switzer who defiantly ran the Boston Marathon even though women were barred, or more recently #metoo movement). The “firsts” may also be girls globally having equal access to education or women undertaking roles for the first time such as lawyers (100 years ago) firefighters (30 years ago) or even refereeing a champions league football match (1 year ago). All of these “firsts” contribute to my hope for 2021 and onwards that if we (and by we I mean all genders) keep challenging – our daughters, their daughters and granddaughters will have equal opportunities available to them not based on their gender but their attributes, skills and values.”

Katy McMinn, co-founder and director of HRi:

“When working in professional services, I was involved in addressing gender equality and was incredibly proud to be a part of that movement. The key thing I have learnt is that for women to be successful and challenge gender stereotypes, we need to stay true to our own individual values, rather than trying to behave in a way that fits the mould of what is traditionally expected from senior professionals.”

Karl Goose, Managing Director, Ferrovial Construction:

“I have been in the engineering industry for over 25 years and have had the chance to work with amazing professionals across the board. The reality is that there is still a lot to do on gender-balance. We live in times of transformation and opportunity. As a leader, I cannot see a better moment to be an agent for positive change. At Ferrovial, it is my mission to promote an environment which support, empower and foster progression of our female talent. From mentoring schemes to improved benefits (including launching one of the best maternity schemes in the industry) to support better work-life balance, we are on a quest to make our company an Employer of Choice.”

Mary Asante, director of HRi:

“There are still a significantly high number of men working in the technology sector than there are women. Highlighting the innovative and positive contribution that women in tech can and are making to changing the world, will encourage more women to be inspired to join the industry. Mentoring and supporting upcoming female professionals will also be key to attaining gender balance in tech too.”

What do you #choosetochallenge this year for IWD?