Women's Day: People Leaders Highlight Women Focused HR Initiatives & their Impact

Katie Williams, Chief People Officer, Focus Group

Advancing Gender Diversity in Leadership

In my previous company, I worked on improving gender diversity in leadership, successfully shifting the gender ratio from 64% women to 73% in an industry that was traditionally male led. A key part of this was reworking job descriptions to be more gender-neutral and inclusive, ensuring they appealed to a broader range of candidates. We also feminised certain role descriptions to counteract male dominated language, making leadership roles more accessible to women. Additionally, we introduced enhanced maternity leave and a flexible working policy for all employees, creating an environment where women could progress without sacrificing career development.

Creating Lasting Change Through Gender-Inclusive Leadership

The results have been significant, not just in my previous company but also in my current executive team, where we now have a fantastic gender balance. This demonstrates that structural and cultural changes lead to lasting impact, ensuring leadership teams reflect the diverse talent within the business.