Celebrating the women leaders in HOBART Service this International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is on 8th March and this year, the theme is #ChooseToChallenge.
“A challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change. So let's all choose to challenge. How will you help forge a gender equal world. Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.” International Women's Day Website
HOBART Service is an ITW company. ITW actively strives for equality and diversity in all 800+ companies, across 56 countries globally.
Women make up a large proportion of the workforce at HOBART Service. For International Women’s Day last year, we celebrated our female technicians and the continual effort to break boundaries – read the Catering Insight article.
This year we have spoken to our female leaders on what International Women’s Day means to them, who their female role models are and how they champion the message of equality inside and outside the workplace.
Joanne Kemp, European HR Director for HOBART Equipment and Service
Joanne joined ITW in 2008 as HR Manager for HOBART UK, in 2016 Jo was promoted to European HR Director for HOBART Service & Equipment Division.
“One of my key responsibilities is to actively champion Diversity & Inclusion,” Jo explains, “The business benefits of a diverse work force are well known.
“Whilst we have made progress, and I see more female Leaders attending our European Management Team meetings, there is still more work to be done.”
Jo explains the importance of training and the influence our leaders have when driving the message of diversity and inclusion, “Diversity on its own is not enough, during 2021 we will be rolling out ‘Inclusive Leader’ training to our Leaders with a focus on creating an environment where individuals are encouraged to work to their full potential.
“International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate what we have achieved but also gives us a good opportunity to focus on what still needs to be done!
“My pledge for International Women’s Day #ChooseToChallenge is that I will keep pushing for progress by influencing the beliefs and actions of others.
“My thanks goes out to all the fantastic women within our business who make that job easier for me.”
Rebecca Phillips, HR Manager for HOBART UK
Rebecca joined HOBART as HR Advisor in November 2016 and was promoted to HR Manager a year later.
Part of Rebecca’s role is to support the ITW Employee Resource Groups, which includes the UK ITW Women’s Network, “These groups bring together diverse groups of people to share experiences and promote innovation.”
Rebecca consistently champions the message of diversity and equality through company broadcasts. “One of my biggest achievements since joining HOBART was designing and delivering our leadership programmes where 32% of the cohort were female. We were also the first out of the European Service businesses at ITW to hire a female technician.”
For Rebecca, equality is “About creating a workplace where people are able to bring their whole self to work regardless of gender or any other personal characteristics; supporting International Women’s Day is another opportunity to promote equality both in and outside the workplace.”
Katie Richardson, Spares Logistics Manager for HOBART Service UK
Since joining HOBART Service 16 years ago, Katie has worked her way up to Spares Logistics Manager and is responsible for a large part of the HOBART Service business, “As Spares Logistics Manager, I manage the Spares Purchasing team, Warehouse, Over the Counter Sales Department and the Service Quotations team. My departments are an integral part of the Service Operations team.”
HOBART Service have given Katie the opportunity to achieve many professional qualifications, including training as an ISO Auditor and achieving a NEBOSH qualification in health and safety.
Katie’s dedication and success also reaches outside the workplace, “My biggest & hardest personal achievement is becoming a ((BOUNCE)) fitness instructor, opening 2 franchise businesses locally.”
Katie’s first role model is her younger sister Andrea who has faced a difficult few years, “Andrea has been unbelievably strong and I admire her strength and positivity in what must be extremely challenging times.”
Professionally, Katie’s role model is Kimberly Perry, CEO of ((BOUNCE)), whose “drive, grit and determination for her business to succeed is admirable”.
Katie concludes: “Equality to me, is a world where you don’t need an International Woman’s Day. It shouldn’t be necessary to celebrate women in business because there should be no divide!”
Catherine Clarke, Business Development Manager at HOBART Service UK
Catherine joined HOBART Service in December 2020 and is responsible for generating new business for the company.
For Catherine, her biggest personal achievement was becoming a mother at a very young age, “Raising my daughter whilst forging a successful career in sales through sheer determination and work ethic.”
One of Catherine’s greatest successes was, “Being an integral part of a team who won a £10m account which changed the business overnight.”
Cat feels there is still a way to go when it comes to equality, “Professionally I have always worked in a very male dominated industry and sadly lack female role models, this is something I would like to see change more.
“Equality for me is being on a level playing field, as much as International Women’s Day is great, it would be good to feel we don’t have to have one to be heard and treated fairly.”
Catherine’s biggest role model and influence is her, “My mum always taught us to give whilst never expecting to receive back – it’s just nice to be nice! Something I live by today there is no better feeling than knowing you have helped somebody, and this is the type of leader I would like to be someday.”
Anna Edwards, Marketing Manager for HOBART Service UK
Anna joined HOBART Service at the beginning of 2021 and is responsible for all company marketing activity.
“For me, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come and to highlight areas for improvement.”
Anna feels that change starts at the top, “I feel very proud to work for a company where equality, diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of conversation within the leadership team.
“The consistent message is reflected in all areas of HOBART Service. Of course, like all workplaces, there’s room for improvement but the plans for improvement are already in motion.”
Anna’s greatest achievement is becoming a mother, “Being a mum to a little boy is a privilege and an eye opener to say the least! I feel a great responsibility in raising my son to be aware and knowledgeable about gender, religion and different cultures and beliefs and to treat everyone he meets respectfully.”
To Anna equality means, “Having the opportunity to reach our potential, irrespective of gender or belief.
“This International Women’s Day I #ChooseToChallenge stereotype and will continue to actively celebrate achievements of women inside and outside of work.”
WHERE TO NEXT?
Learn more about International Women's Day and how you can make a difference
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