Jane Bristow, managing director of Sodexo Education, said: “Sodexo has taken the lead on gender diversity in the workplace across the globe, so International Women’s Day is an excellent opportunity for us to celebrate with our employees, clients and other stakeholders.
“I am delighted that this year we have been able to partner with some of our clients in the education sector to inspire their pupils and breakdown gender stereotypes.
“We are committed to gender diversity right through our business.
“Across the globe Swift (Sodexo Women’s International forum for talent) has helped to implement gender networks in more than 13 countries, and specifically in the UK and Ireland, Women Work fosters an inclusive culture and mentoring structure for our top female employees.”
Seven women from a variety of roles within Sodexo will give presentations to students who are currently deciding their GCSE study options. The aim is to demonstrate the range of career options open to young women and men.
Last week Sodexo UK and Ireland chief executive Debbie White took part in a panel debate organised by Women 1st to promote the ‘Think, Act, Report’ campaign, to which Sodexo has voluntarily signed up. Equalities Minister Helen Grant MP was the keynote speaker at the event.
The campaign aims to drive greater transparency on women’s workforce issues, by helping companies consider gender equality on key issues such as recruitment, retention, promotion and pay.
On Thursday this week (March 13th), Sodexo will hold its annual Women Work conference where 150 members of Sodexo’s employee network will gather at Aston University in Birmingham to discuss the theme of ‘balance’.
Among the speakers leading the debate and taking part in workshops to discuss how employees can achieve a work/life balance, as well as gender balance, will be Sodexo Group chair elect Sophie Bellon.
Sodexo’s Swift forum guides the company’s gender diversity and is made up of 34 top female and male executives from around the world. UK and Ireland members include Sodexo Education managing director Jane Bristow, Sodexo Justice Services deputy managing director Janine McDowell and Debbie White.