Ahead of the Great British Businesswoman Forum, we are taking a deep dive into the top issues affecting gender parity today, starting with the negative impact COVID has had on women in the workplace.
Encompassing an awards programme, a forum and year-long content, the Great British Businesswoman Series’ mission is to provide a platform to recognise, celebrate and support women in business, champion their peers and advocates, and help foster the next generation of female business leaders.
Focusing on the key areas of leadership, new ways of working and personal career progression, the Great British Businesswoman Forum will provide a platform to challenge the status quo, support the next generation of female leaders and pave the way to change on 14 October 2021 in a series of online sessions.
COVID’s impact on women in the workplace
It goes without saying that COVID has uprooted the way we work, the way we socialise, and the way we live. Women have been hit particularly hard by COVID; specifically, in the workplace.
In the UK, women with children are 1.5 times as likely as men with children to have lost or quit their jobs during the COVID-19 lockdown. Women were one-third more likely to be working in a sector that has suffered mass shutdowns than men. In addition, the World Economic Forum has reported that a year on from the pandemic, the amount of time it will take to receive gender parity has increased from 99.5 years to 135.6 years.
Something has to change.
Change begins with dialogue
By getting together some of the sharpest minds in the world of business, finance, manufacturing, engineering, Diversity and Inclusion and more, the Great British Businesswoman Series will feature a variety of thought-provoking panels and talks via a virtual live stream. Topics include:
COVID & Women: Relevant Talks
Women Leaders: Balancing work and family post-COVID
The pandemic has forced parents into a difficult situation and has resulted in the impossible juggling act between career and childcare, with a global survey finding that two in five working mothers have taken or are planning to take a step back at work.
This panel discussion will look at what we can do to support those that have had to take a step back from their careers due to COVID, and support them to rebuild their careers?
Speakers:
Gill Cooke | People and Propositions Engagement Lead, Three
Gill is leading the diversity, inclusion, and belonging strategy within one of the UK’s major mobile network. She has worked with diverse communities with STEMConnext as well as leading the ERG Women in Tech and founding BAME & Allies network at Three.
Rachel Vecht | Company Director, Educating Matters
The Founder of Educating Matters: a team of teachers, psychologists, family therapists, DEI experts & coaches supporting employees with their personal & professional life, particularly parents and carers.
11:20PM - 12:10PM GMT
HR support for women employees: Retaining your top talent
This panel discussion will look at what organisations are doing post-pandemic with an increased need for flexibility and support to ensure they retain top talent to help women reach leadership roles. They will discuss implementing meaningful strategies that add value to the working woman’s career.
Speakers:
Ewan McPherson | Group Chief People Officer at Havas UK
Havas is the only truly integrated marketing and communications company in the UK. Based in London’s Kings Cross, the group operates a unique ‘Village’ concept: 22 agencies – spanning disciplines including advertising, media, data and technology, social, digital, PR and sports and entertainment – all in one building, united under one leadership and with one P&L.
Kally Kang-Kersey | HR Advisor/Influencer - previously VP Global Talent, Independent Consultant, Zebra Technologies
Kally is responsible for developing and building people-centric programs that make Zebra a competitive employer of choice. After 11 years as Vice President of EMEA Human Resources (HR), Kally moved into her current role to focus on HR transformation and driving key strategic projects globally related to Employee Value Proposition, Inclusion & Diversity and overall talent acquisition, development and management.
11:00am - 11:50am GMT
We’re always on the lookout for unique and interesting voices to further this conversation. If you or someone you know has the credentials and passion to join any of the panels at the Forum, please CLICK HERE.