At Palmers, we are proud to support International Women’s Day which celebrates the contributions that women worldwide continue to make to social, economic, cultural and political achievement.
Our firm is fortunate to have many talented and knowledgeable female members of staff who are actively supported to progress their careers, including at upper management level where the split is currently eight women to seven men.
Here, our Practice Manager, Gina Newman, discusses the importance of gender equality and empowering the next generation to maximise their career opportunities:
Why do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day?
Whilst celebrating women’s rights should be a year-round focus, International Women’s Day provides an opportunity not only to raise awareness of the importance of equality for women but also celebrate women’s achievements worldwide.
Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? If so, how did you overcome them?
I have been fortunate in that I have and still do enjoy a fruitful and meaningful career within HR and management, supported by the directors at Palmers. For me, any barriers have been outside of my working life, and it has been a case of not giving up and showing those who may have a biased view just how wrong they are!
What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?
There are those who are unaware that their view or approach to women is biased. They are not necessarily intentionally treating women differently. Education, coaching and talking is a more productive way of changing their habits and views rather than being angry and frustrated by their lack of insight.
How can we encourage more women to pursue senior leadership roles in their career?
We need to make flexible and hybrid working more widely available within the working environment and management roles so that women can pursue and achieve their career aspirations whilst fitting them around their family and home life.
What is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their careers?
Believe in yourself and don’t give up! If you have a career aspiration, pursue it. Sometimes it may not be a direct and straightforward route to achieving a career goal – any experience along the way only adds to your knowledge and skills set.
Is there anyone that inspires you in your career?
I wouldn’t say I have any one particular person who inspires me in my career, rather a combination of people I work with and have friends around me who provide me with inspiration.
Why do you think diversity in the workplace is so important?
By employing a diverse workforce, this brings to the table a variety of views, ideas and personalities which, in turn, help a business to come up with innovative and interesting ideas. In my view, working life would be very two-dimensional and unfulfilling if we were all the same!
If you could have dinner with three inspirational women, dead or alive, who would they be and why?
This is difficult as there are so many inspirational women to choose from. My choices probably span today, recent history and times long past.
For my first choice, I would say “Pink” – the artist – who is extremely talented, focused on her music career, outspoken and inspirational whilst also juggling a family life (and I love her music!)
The second, for me, is Margaret Thatcher – a woman who worked hard to achieve her goals – initially studying chemistry and became a chemist whilst reading for the Bar to become a barrister, then working her way through parliament to become Britain’s first female Prime Minister.
Thirdly – Florence Nightingale – a truly inspirational woman. Back in the 1800s, she was the first woman to set up a military hospital and improve the quality of nursing in military hospitals. I cannot even begin to comprehend the drive, determination and sheer grit she had.