Diversity in the workplace

Diversity in the workplace is essential for innovation, problem-solving, and business success.

Diversity is a fact. We're all different from each other, whether that be visible or non-visible difference, and this impacts the way we experience the world, both inside and outside of work. Diverse organisations with inclusive cultures have the greatest ability to innovate and solve complex challenges, and diversity has been regularly linked to high revenue and other tangible measures of success.

At BMT, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in gender equity, particularly at the early career levels, and we’ve seen improvements in our overall gender balance. In the world of work we have seen encouraging steps towards increasing the representation of women in senior leadership roles. However, women are still in the minority when it comes to leadership positions, and we recognise that overall, there is still a long way to go. The growing recognition that gender equity benefits everyone gives me hope that we will continue to make meaningful progress.

One of the biggest challenges still facing women in the workplace today is balancing caregiving responsibilities with the demands of work. Without adequate support, flexibility, and understanding, this can be a significant barrier to career progression. Bias in the workplace also remains a challenge, affecting hiring decisions, promotions, and career development. Additionally, when women are underrepresented, the lack of visible role models can impact their sense of belonging and hinder their ability to thrive.

Flexible working has the potential to benefit everyone and to enhance the careers of many including women and is the key to driving diversity overall, but it must be approached thoughtfully. It’s ineffective to make assumptions about what the business can support or what employees need. Open, inclusive and transparent conversations are essential, along with fostering a culture of understanding and education.

I believe allies play a critical role in supporting women and promoting gender equity. Allies (both men and women) advocate for women and each other, amplify voices and achievements, challenge biases, and provide mentorship and sponsorship. Allies also help create safe spaces where women’s concerns can be heard and addressed.

My vision is clear - gender parity in the workplace and in society more broadly. Gender or any other characteristic should not play a part in accessing opportunity or achieving success. The pace of change is slow, but we must stay focused and drive accountability for action.

At BMT, we remain committed to building an inclusive environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of our culture and operations. We continue to do this important work including STEM outreach, our Consulting Women Programme, and we have a focused plan through our Gender Diversity Action groups and DE&I Committees that uses data to drive action on gender balance. We will continuously review our key employee journey stages and processes e.g. recruitment, talent development, family-friendly and special leave policies, as well as wellbeing support to ensure that everyone can thrive.

I encourage you to click on the link below to visit our gender diversity page to hear directly from our inspiring female colleagues and dedicated male allies who are helping us drive change every day.

Sara Packwood,
DE&I and Wellbeing Lead

My vision is clear - gender parity in the workplace and in society more broadly. Gender or any other characteristic should not play a part in accessing opportunity or achieving success. The pace of change is slow, but we must stay focused and drive accountability for action.