Today, as we mark International Women’s Day, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of women worldwide while acknowledging the ongoing journey towards gender equality. At BM, inclusivity and empowerment are at the heart of our ethos, and after giving two presentations today I’m pleased to share our strides in this direction.
Embracing diversity at BM
Diversity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a cornerstone of our culture. This year, we proudly hosted our inaugural International Women’s Day event in London, a testament to our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. Spearheaded by Marie Phalippou, the event exemplified our dedication to promoting a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered.
Inspiring inclusion
This year’s theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” resonates deeply with us. As leaders, we hold the power to cultivate environments where every individual feels a sense of belonging. In our catering industry, from Julia Child to Nadiya Hussain, countless women have left an indelible mark on society, inspiring us to pave the way for future generations.
Honouring resilience
Today, we aren’t just celebrating achievements; we are celebrating the resilience of women within the BMfamily, many of whom have overcome adversity and barriers. We may know women who have:
- Succeeded in what was a predominantly male business world.
- Overcome racial prejudice and discrimination because of the colour of their skin.
- Left their home country and started afresh with no family or friendship support networks.
- Or because of their cultural background weren’t allowed or expected to have a career outside the home.
- Or because of their sexuality, they were shunned.
- They may have overcome the obstacles presented by a mental or physical disability.
- Or a long-term illness
- Been subjected to domestic abuse.
We never know the obstacles some women may have faced. Let’s draw inspiration from our BM family women and continue to support and empower them in their professional and personal journeys at BM.
Acknowledging progress and challenges
While we celebrate our progress, we acknowledge that there’s still work to be done. Our gender pay gap, currently at 10.74%, reflects the need to address barriers preventing women from advancing into senior roles. Through initiatives like effective succession planning and unconscious bias training, we’re committed to fostering a more inclusive workplace where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.
Why gender quality matters
Gender equality isn’t just a women’s issue; it’s a business imperative. Diverse perspectives fuel innovation and lead to better decision-making, benefiting everyone in the workplace. By championing gender equality, we not only create a more equitable society but also drive the success of our business.
Leading by example
At BM, we lead by example. Our enhanced benefits, including additional paid maternity, paternity and partner leave, reflect our commitment to supporting work-life balance for all team members. Additionally, our initiatives to attract and develop women into senior roles underscore our dedication to fostering gender diversity at all levels of BM.
Committing to positive change
As leaders, we have a responsibility to advocate for gender equality and champion inclusion. By inspiring positive change within BM and beyond, we can create a more equitable and inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
This International Women’s Day, let’s recommit ourselves to building a future where gender equality isn’t just a goal but a reality. Together, we can make a difference.
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