Bristol Women in Business Charter Annual Impact Event: Making Gender Equity a Priority
Blog by Alice Hulme
Overview of the event:
The Bristol Women in Business Charter organised their Annual Impact Event last month on April 18. The event focused on making gender equity a priority and featured insights from leaders across charter signatories. Through the theme of allyship, case studies were discussed, highlighting the journey towards achieving gender equality. Attendees had the opportunity to network, enjoy refreshments, and engage in thought-provoking discussions during introductory talks and panel sessions.
The event was hosted in Bristol in the offices of ForrestBrown Limited, with the opening remarks delivered by their Managing Director Sara Brigden.
Importance of diversity in business:
Diversity plays a pivotal role in the business world, and organisations like the Bristol Women in Business Charter emphasise its significance. Diversity fosters creativity, innovation, and profitability; it brings together unique perspectives, experiences, and skills, leading to better problem solving and decision making. Furthermore, a diverse workforce helps businesses better understand and serve their diverse customer base. However, a lack of diversity can result in missed opportunities, limited perspectives, and a less inclusive work environment.
Speakers and presentations:
There were several panels and speakers at the event all who provided insightful discussion.
Barry Hayward the Managing Director of GENeco delivered an insightful presentation on the positive steps made by his business since joining the charter.
Across the panel discussions, one key theme was the slow progress in achieving gender equality and the lack of support women often face following childbirth and other key life milestones. The impact of data in understanding and addressing gender disparities in the workplace was also discussed.
An all-male panel including Karl Brown, Dan Wood, Roger Bull discussed and emphasised the role men play solving gender inequities alongside addressing the importance of allyship and the patriarchy.
Speakers stressed the importance of active listening and understanding the experiences of marginalised groups. In addition, visualising oneself as senior management and challenging ingrained biases were also an effective idea highlighted by the group. The need for systemic responses and sector-wide collaboration was discussed to address issues like disparities in mentoring, the impact of menopause, and the balancing of caregiving responsibilities.
The importance of sharing experiences and ideas through the charter was emphasised, with a focus on addressing small everyday biases and actions to drive significant change.
Networking opportunities:
The event provided excellent networking opportunities, allowing attendees to connect with professionals who share a commitment to promoting gender equity in business. Networking enables individuals to build valuable relationships, exchange ideas, and create potential collaborations. Through these connections, attendees can gain further insights, share best practices, and potentially open doors to new opportunities.
Conclusion:
The Bristol Women in Business Charter Annual Impact Event underscored the importance of diversity and allyship in the business world. Key takeaways included the need for ongoing efforts to address gender disparities, both at the individual and systemic levels. The event highlighted the value of sharing experiences and ideas, as well as the power of data in understanding and addressing gender inequality.
Attending events like this one allows individuals to gain valuable insights, make meaningful connections, and contribute to fostering a more inclusive and diverse business landscape. It is crucial for businesses to recognise that diversity is not only a moral imperative but also a driver of success. By prioritising diversity and actively promoting gender equity, organisations can unlock new opportunities, drive innovation, and create a more inclusive and fair society.
Any business across Bristol is encouraged to sign up to the Bristol Women in Business Charter. Find out more about this organisation here.
