More than 60 business people from across the Eastern region attended Pure’s second Women’s Leadership Alumni event to continue discussions on progressing gender equality in organisations of all sizes and sectors.
The event, held at The Jockey Rooms in Newmarket on 24 May, brought together past and present delegates of the Women’s Leadership Programme, and their employer sponsors, as well as others interested in inclusive leadership.
The Women’s Leadership Programme was first developed in 2014 by professional recruitment specialists Pure, in conjunction with strategic HR consultancy People & Performance. It has already helped more than 65 aspiring female leaders in the Eastern region to strengthen their leadership skills, develop their confidence and to work with their employers to remove any barriers to progression.
Guest speakers at the event included Dr Andy Wood, Chief Executive at Adnams, who described how the renowned regional brewing business keeps its people and values at the heart of the organisation through their inclusive culture. Despite a backdrop of significant competition and a declining market, Adnams has continued to grow and evolve and Dr. Wood still considers the business to be ‘a 145-year-old start-up’ with the same level of focus still placed on the people and culture behind the business as when it was first founded in 1872.
David Britain, a strategic HR Consultant also led a workshop on aligning culture and values and Bree Sherwood, Director at PwC, gave a fascinating insight into the latest findings on gender diversity in the Eastern region. Lynn Morgan, CEO at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity (ARHC) and Donna Talbot, Fundraising Director at the charity and previous programme participant, also attended to share the story of ARHC raising £10m to build the spectacular new, award-winning hospice which opened in Cambridge last year.
Lynn Walters, founder and director at Pure, said: “As well as supporting the continued development of aspiring female leaders in our region, this event provided an opportunity for all those involved with our Women’s Leadership Programme to continue discussions on developing a culture of inclusive leadership and building diverse talent pipelines. We were to delighted see a significant number of men at the event who are committed to building inclusive work environments where men and women will thrive and, in turn, the region as a whole will benefit. Our aim to inspire organisations across the region to create inclusive work environments, where any barriers to progression are removed and everyone can work in a way that makes them feel productive and engaged.”
The next Women’s Leadership Programme which begins in June is full. Dates for the November and January programmes have been released. For more information contact Lucy Plumb: [email protected]