{"id":466,"date":"2018-06-25T07:03:17","date_gmt":"2018-06-25T07:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.reed.co.uk\/james-reed\/?p=466"},"modified":"2023-08-28T11:50:34","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T11:50:34","slug":"women-in-leadership-getting-a-seat-at-the-table","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reed.co.uk\/james-reed\/women-in-leadership-getting-a-seat-at-the-table\/","title":{"rendered":"Women in Leadership \u2013 Getting a seat at the table"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is a startling fact that in 2018 there is still such a low representation of women in leadership positions \u2013 according to Grant Thornton\u2019s recent <\/span>Women in Business report<\/span><\/a>, this currently stands at just 22% in the UK. <\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, it\u2019s no secret that women are underrepresented in the technology sector in particular \u2013 only 17% of the workforce to be exact.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a father of<\/span> three <\/span>daughters, I want to make sure that I’ve done my part in building a better future for them, and for other strong ambitious women.<\/span><\/p>\n

The main issue is that businesses are not doing enough to encourage women within organisations to feel they have the right to be considered and ultimately give them a seat at the table.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here at\u00a0REED, we are making fundamental changes within our culture to encourage and ensure the full participation of women.<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier this year, I made three pledges, reiterated below, to help support women in the workplace at REED. <\/span><\/p>\n

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One: I pledge to introduce talks, seminars and webinars once a quarter, which will be run by successful women, to encourage and inspire the women in the business.<\/span><\/i>
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\n<\/span><\/i>Two: I pledge to grow and sustain a female mentoring system to provide the women who work at REED with a system of support and advice.<\/span><\/i>
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\n<\/span><\/i>Three: I pledge that REED will seek to have women make up 50% of its senior leadership team over the next 3-5 years. \u00a0They will be there because they are good at their jobs.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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This is something we are not only passionate about, but greatly committed to achieving, so all of our Co-Members are fully represented to the benefit of future generations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I have been fortunate enough to work for and with some exceptionally talented women throughout my career. <\/span><\/p>\n

Recently, I caught up with Beckie Sizer, who joined Reed Online this week as People Director. Beckie has worked with us for 10 years, building her career in HR and championing female leadership within the business.<\/span><\/p>\n

When I spoke to Beckie, she had this advice for women:<\/span><\/p>\n

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