FT Women at the Top 2020

Progress is fragile when it comes to equality — and it is not irreversible. The fight towards gender parity at work in the UK has made some significant gains — spurred on by mandatory pay gap reporting and some successful high-profile equal pay challenges— yet women are still severely underrepresented in the top ranks of business, government and law, accounting for just 6 per cent of chief executives in the FTSE 100. At the same time, political swings in the west alongside a rise in populism have fostered a climate of uncertainty that makes it harder than ever to predict the future. As the global economy faces new challenges in the wake of Covid-19, and as the UK prepares for a post-Brexit future, keeping gender equality high on the agenda and maintaining progress towards established goals is becoming increasingly complex.

History teaches us that times of crisis often give way to innovation and opportunity. In such a context, the role of individuals becomes more pronounced. But how can you transform chaos into progress and opportunity? How do you make it a priority of all employees, regardless of their gender? And how do you, as a leader, ensure you are proactively driving the gender agenda forwards in your actions, behaviours and decision-making?

Potential gains in the fight for gender equality are there for those plucky enough to make them happen — join us in October to find out how. Hear game-changing women and men, including our Catalyst’s Sandra Ondraschek-Norris, VP Global MARC Learning, share their stories of success. Learn which strategies and policies really work from the leaders who are making progress, and participate in forward-looking, outcome-driven debates that ensure you return to work with plenty of ideas to implement.