International Women's Day | A word with the UK's CEO

What does IWD mean to you??

It’s a time to press the pause button, reflect, and ultimately celebrate incredible women around the world who have courageously worked hard to break down the stigma associated with gender inequality, whilst being the paradigm shift and inspiration for future generations. At Junior Adventures Group UK we are incredibly lucky to work with our people and our little people to instil a culture of equality and be role models for everyone we interact with.

Why haven't we achieved equality, despite legislation in place regarding pay?

Our business ethos has always been to reward our people, regardless of their gender. At Junior Adventures Group UK, 65% of our team members associate with being female; a statistic I am very proud to share.?

As a nation we may not have fully achieved equality in pay, however, we should not shy away from celebrating the wins we have made. There has been a monumental shift in the acceptance of gender-neutral association, an increase in women in leadership roles and a decrease in gender pay gaps over the last few years.

Across the globe, the sports industry has been in the spotlight as a masculine industry; dominated by male sportsmen. Working alongside 2 other female CEOs within the global Junior Adventures Group Family really showcases our determination to break this bias.

How would you advise young women leaders on how to build confidence in their ability as a manager and leader?

Believe in yourself. Always be 100% authentic to who you are, whilst adapting to your environment. In today’s world, our people are looking for stability; a true sense of belonging. As leaders, regardless of your gender, we want to provide a safe space for our people to grow and inevitably be the best versions of themselves. A good leader will always be open and honest, acknowledge their mistakes or flaws, whilst empowering their teams to perform.

What initiatives should companies invest in to promote women in leadership and an inclusive workplace?

During the pandemic, so many people (not just women) evaluated their purpose, their motivations and what it truly means to be happy. For some, work-life balance is important. For others, they may be driven by money, benefits, career opportunities, or time with their children or loved ones. Here at Junior Adventure Group UK, we promote a flexible approach to your career; weekends off to spend time with your family, flexible hours during the day/week to suit your personal lives, childcare opportunities to give parents space to have their freedom back and remote working. Companies should always provide an environment that cultivates a place for everyone to thrive.

Is there a particular leader/figure you look up to?

I draw inspiration from every person I meet. Every person has a unique story. They’ve experienced highs and lows in life and endured successes and struggles. I’m constantly amazed at how resilient people can be – standing back up with determination and courage as they strive to be a better version of themselves. This is incredibly admirable and everyone deserves this recognition.??

What advice will you give to your younger self?

There is something positive and uplifting about reflecting on who you once were and where you have reached today. My advice would be... always be authentically you, assess what is truly important to you, find a career that you are passionate about and always go after your dreams, regardless of what might get in the way of you achieving them.

#InternationalWomensDay #IWD2022 #InternationalWomensDay2022 #BreakTheBias #Leadership #Buildingbrighterfutures