Oldham board rooms told – HERE COME THE GIRLS
Misogynist businessmen beware because a brand-new scheme in Oldham aims to help females finally break the glass ceiling.
Upturn’s Creating Remarkable Opportunities for Women Network (CROWN) initiative aims to bring together entrepreneurial females to support each other and visit schools to inspire girls to put no limits on their aspirations.
And the scheme is certainly timely. Because despite the boasts that Britain is leading the way when it comes to females in the board room – new figures show they only make up 35% of senior positions in our top 350 companies (1).
“The gender gap may have reduced in the boardroom, but surveys show that the really senior positions – such as managing director – are still almost exclusively male” said Maria Williams, co-founder and director of Upturn. “And this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sexism in the workplace. This is best represented by the 8.6% gender pay gap that still exists between men and women in Britain.”
CROWN will be launched at a special ceremony at the Hive, Oldham’s hub and co-working space for social enterprise. The scheme will:
- Encourage local women to become role models
- Access mentorship from experienced leaders
- Create a supportive, like-minded network
- Provide confidence-building workshops
- Discover collaboration and growth opportunities
- Visit schools to inspire the next generation of women and girls.
Guests will hear how backward working practices on female health are another of the issues dragging women employees down. It also results in reduced productivity and a haemorrhaging of both cash and staff.
Keynote speaker Dr Anita Sharma, founder of charity Endometriosis Awareness North will tell them: “Take the case of endometriosis, a blight affecting one in ten women. Despite resulting in days off due to debilitating physical and mental pain, bosses are not even aware of the condition. It may sound a simple solution, but flexible working, adapted equipment – endo often results in chronic back pain – and employee awareness sessions could mean great staff staying with your company.”
CROWN is Maria Williams’ creation, and she added: “When it comes to equality and diversity, we want companies to live their values and not just espouse them.
Health is just one of the barriers women face in business and in life. Others can include running your own business in what might be a traditionally male environment, such as construction.”
Maria added: “I think CROWN could be life-changing for women. I also believe that men will benefit, in that happier more fulfilled careers can bring the kind of fulfilment that will bind communities together in unity.”
The launch of CROWN occurs at:
Midday – 2pm
Wednesday 25 June
The Hive
Second Floor
Spindles Shopping Centre
Oldham
OL1 1LF
Tickets are available free of charge https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crown-creating-remarkable-opportunities-for-women-network-tickets-1368536683059?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&_gl=1*1aewz89*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjEzODcyMTk2Ny4xNzUwMDA4MzAy*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NTAwMDgzMDEkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTAwMDgzMDEkajYwJGwwJGgw
Upturn is one of Britain’s top one hundred social enterprises. The organisation operates from their new hub The Hive, which offers businesses the opportunity to co-work in a supportive, fully equipped environment. It also runs an online business platform, where members can learn about training, events and collaborate with potential partners.
