Let’s just do it!
The Welsh housing sector has the chance to lead the way on gender balance in decision making, says Joy Kent
If I said to you that there is one small change you could make that would cost you nothing, would help you deliver your organisation’s vision more effectively and increase the likelihood of its long term sustainability, you’d bite my hand off, right? Well, unless you thought it was too good to be true. In this case, it is totally true and totally do-able. Yet, with this particular change, there is still debate in some quarters about whether it’s a good thing. Puzzled? me too.
There’s an ever growing body of evidence that indicates having gender balance in decision making leads to organisations focusing on the issues
that are important to a broader range of customers and improves the way we make decisions. Avoiding group-think and making sure you’ve considered the needs of all your customers (research suggests women make around 70 per cent of household spending decisions) are key to customer satisfaction and long term sustainability.
Building confidence and skills
Chwarae Teg has been promoting gender balance in the workplace for over 20 years. We want a Wales where women achieve and prosper. We work with individual women to broaden horizons and build confidence and skills; employers to create workplaces that are successful by harnessing everyone’s contribution; and influencers – government, media and education – to challenge the deeply rooted and long out-dated notions of the roles that men and women play that limit people’s potential and contribution to the economy and society.
We were naturally really pleased then when the minister for housing and regeneration asked to speak to us about how we might be able to help housing associations reach gender parity on their boards. As someone who worked in the sector for over a decade, I think housing has the potential to lead the way on this – not just in public services nor just in Wales – but for all sectors and all parts of the UK. After all, the current average of around 37 or 38 per cent for the sector compares favourably with others – the recent review of Welsh Rugby Union governance has recommended that they recruit their first women on to the board after 133 years in existence! But wouldn’t it be great if the sector not only compared favourably but outshone everyone else? And surely, there’s never been a better time to do everything possible to increase our chances of focusing on the right things in the right way?
What’s next?
So here’s the plan: over the summer we will be carrying out research into where women are in decision making in housing. We will be launching the research at an event – details to be confirmed – in partnership with others in the housing sector in the autumn. In the meantime,
if any organisation has an opportunity coming up for new board members and would like us to help see if there are women out there who would fit the bill, get in touch.
I’m very pleased to be able to say that we have already had our first success. After the minister wrote to housing associations, Robert Smith, chief executive of Linc Cymru, got in contact about a vacancy coming up on his board. We sent it out to the hundreds of women in our networks and particularly brought it to the attention of those we felt might meet the person spec. I’m pleased
to say it worked! Rob told us, ‘We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ellen Donovan as a non-executive director to the Board of Linc Cymru. Ellen will add considerable expertise to our corporate governance having regard to her successful career as a board director of Debenhams PLC and more recently as a business consultant. Her various roles in Debenhams gave her valuable insight into business from a number of perspectives in particular people, risk management, financial/profit management and transformational change.’
Ellen is also looking forward to her new challenge: ‘I’m delighted to have been appointed as a non-executive director to the board of Linc Cymru. I am excited at having the opportunity to join a dynamic team and leading provider of housing, health and social care services across Wales. I heard about the position through Chwarae Teg who have supported me throughout the process. This started with the women in public life event organised by Dame Rosemary Butler and Joy Kent at the Senedd earlier in the year.’
So, let’s stop debating whether actively pursuing gender balance in decision making is a good thing or achievable; it is – on both counts. It’s the ethical thing to do and it makes good business sense. The housing sector has led the way in so many areas of social justice – why not make this the next one?
Joy Kent is chief executive of Chwarae Teg – the charity building a Wales where women achieve and prosper. To meet and discuss how Chwarae Teg can help your organisation achieve gender balance in decision making contact Joy on 07964 420506 or email joy.kent@chwaraeteg.com