As founder of arena4finance, a Trustee and Member of the IoH’s Supervisory Board and Founding Trustee at the non-profit EYE Nepal what does International Women’s Day mean to you?
I think International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate how far we have come. My career in the hospitality industry commenced when I graduated in the 1980s to join an international hotel chain as a trainee accountant. In those days, the conversation on how to be a successful woman in the workplace centred on ‘acting like men’ and ‘being assertive’ to ensure we fit in. Consequently, we dressed in power suits with shoulder pads, high heels and big hair, as was the fashion. I’m pleased to say as I’ve progressed through my career, I have witnessed the role of women in the workplace has moved on. Thankfully.
Do you feel that the industry has changed for the better as far as women’s equality is concerned?
In the nineties and early noughties, progress to increase the number of women in senior positions in business transitioned to include female-only networks and female-focused awards and events to encourage and spotlight their success in the workplace. Whilst this approach was valuable at the time, today we are in a different and more enlightened era. Employers now publicly publish reports to illustrate the diversity, equity and inclusion across the entire workforce not just for women.
The hospitality industry has always attracted a higher proportion of women than many other sectors. But in recent years, in my opinion, I would say that we are seeing more women in senior positions ie., in operations, strategic support functions such as finance and revenue management and at Board level.
However, data recently published from the MBS Group, illustrates that there is still much to be done to improve the female representation at senior levels in the hospitality sector. But we have certainly made significant progress since the 1980s!
What advice would you give to young women starting out in our industry?
I love my career in the hospitality sector which has taken me through a range of roles in operations, finance and accounting, revenue management and latterly education and training. I have met and worked with many inspiring women operating in all areas and all functions of the sector. My advice for any woman contemplating a career in hospitality, I would say, without hesitation, go for it!
Why say ‘I’min’- #imin to the Institute of Hospitality?
I was very honoured to recently join the Supervisory Board of the IoH. I am actively taking part in projects to help to develop the industry’s future talent and promote hospitality as a welcoming, caring and inclusive place to work. After 40 years in the sector, I’m still in!
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