Leeann Watson: The Influencers
As the dynamics of our city continue to change, so to does the diversity of those that live and work in our city. But should we be doing more?
Chief Executive
In September, we mark an important milestone, celebrating 125 years of New Zealand women becoming the first in the world to win the right to vote.
Like many things, Christchurch led the way in 1893 with Kate Sheppard, in the face of fierce opposition, gathering signatures of nearly 32,000 women to demonstrate the groundswell of support for the suffrage cause.
Christchurch continues to lead the way with a growing number of leadership roles held by women across our city including The Chamber, Westland Milk, Trimble Navigation, Ballantynes, Christchurch NZ, The Press and the Christchurch City Council.
Diversity and inclusion have been proven to lead to better commercial results – yet many organisations fail to see it as part of their overall strategy.
For example:
– Companies in the top quartile of gender diversity are 15% more likely to financially outperform
their industry and 38% more likely to have a higher than average market share
– Companies with at least one female executive outperform the stockmarket by 37%
– Companies with at least 30% female executives outperform the stockmarket by 173%
– Companies with female board members are 26% more profitable than companies with all-male board.
As we acknowledge and celebrate 125 years of Women’s Suffrage, you may like to consider what you are doing as an organisation to promote and support diversity in your workplace.
