The Women Who Inspire awards, which will debut later this year, aim to recognise women who have ‘excelled professionally and inspired others to succeed or have succeeded themselves despite any personal challenges they may be facing’.
The awards are open to all women across the Surrey-based caterer’s business, with nominations submitted by colleagues.
Bartlett Mitchell recently published its gender pay gap results and found a 6% mean pay gap between its men and women workers, a gap the firm attributed to more men holding senior chef positions.
The difference in salary is similar to that reported to fellow foodservice firm Sodexo (7.65%) and smaller than that of Compass Group UK & Ireland (14.8%).
Wendy Bartlett, founder of Bartlett Mitchell, said: “Whilst we are pleased that our figures are one of the lowest in the industry, we know there is still a long way to go to address issues for women in hospitality.
“I want women to know that, by working for Bartlett Mitchell, they have every opportunity to succeed on an equal footing and we will explore every avenue possible to make sure we create a working environment which enables women to develop and progress.”
She added: “We are all very passionate about recognising the role women have played in the growth of our business.
“We have fantastic and inspiring women who work across all levels of our company and we want them to know its appreciated. These women are vital to our development and, despite sometimes social challenges we are all aware of, they continue to deliver day in day out to make a difference, with a smile on their faces and a positive attitude.”