If your business has gender diversity among its senior leadership positions, it is more likely to be successful.
Research from Kris Byron and Corinne Post for the Academy of Management Journal and Corporate Governance showed that such firms are more profitable and socially responsible.
But increasing the ratio of women to men at the top is also a moral responsibility.
“The tech industry has been male-dominated for far too long,” Victoria Heyward, director of brand & content strategy at Sopro, tells BusinessCloud. “Companies that address this balance are proven to be more successful, though equality shouldn’t just be success-driven.
“We must elevate and advance gender parity in technology and celebrate the women forging innovation, as ultimately women are amongst the best tech innovators in the world – this must be recognised.”
As with any industry and workplace, greater diversity means a wider talent pool to pick from, giving a greater breadth of voice and enhancing viewpoints – so important in any business.
“We also see greater innovation and creativity, and improved productivity – which is not only essential for the business as a whole, but also supports a positive employer brand and greater employee retention,” explains Heyward.
“We need to be attracting and retaining top talent, we can only do that and stay competitive by creating a fair and equal working environment. Addressing greater diversity also leads to a better understanding of your customers – as let’s face it, women make up half the population.”
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Sopro, founded in 2015 by Ryan Welmans and Rob Harlow, is a sales engagement platform. Headquartered in Brighton with offices in London, Skopje, Dubai and Miami, it now employs a team of around 320, supporting over 550 businesses spanning 60+ sectors.
It has doubled its revenues six years running, with 116% revenue growth in 2021 and over £15 million revenues in 2022 – all without external investment.
Women occupy 50% of the roles in both its workforce and senior management teams. Senior figures include Heyward, head of operations Monika Joshevska, chief people officer Michelle Thomas and chief customer experience officer Lizzie Counihan.
“Tech is among the fastest-growing industries in the world, therefore, it requires more labour supply to thrive – and not championing women, can deprive this industry of the crucial human resources it needs to grow,” says Heyward.
“My own journey into tech started in the digital recruitment space around 14 years ago, which led me to speak with web developers, app developers and designers whilst visiting creative and tech agencies. From here it all changed.
“I knew I was meant to be IN one of these agencies, not recruit for it – so I took the leap and joined one, working my way up through the ranks and absorbing everything along the way.
“I saw tech as the creative future for me – and it’s definitely lived up to those expectations.”
Harlow adds: “Part of the mission of International Women’s Day this year is to elevate and advance gender parity in technology and to celebrate the women forging innovation.
“We’re extremely proud of being a tech company in which women occupy 50% of the roles in our workforce and senior management teams. As the founder of several businesses in this sector, where men have dominated for years, I cannot emphasise enough the importance of gender equality.
“Put simply, the future of our industry depends on an inclusive and transformative attitude to technology and towards digital education across the globe.”