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Birmingham Women in Leadership inspire local business people

Four inspirational women from a variety of different organisations across the West Midlands were the guests speakers at an event this week at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre for business people, hosted by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

The speakers, who have all been highly successful in their particular field, talked about what, and how, they have achieved in their careers.

Attendees heard from:

Yvonne Mosquito, West Midlands Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Lynda Kettle, Vice President of the Royal Birmingham Society of Arts (RBSA) Nicola Fleet-Milne, Owner and Commercial Director of award winning agency, FleetMilne Property Liz McKenzie, Group Corporate Services Director, Wesleyan Insurance

CIMA champions women achieving leadership roles and has published a report called ‘Breaking Glass: Strategies for tomorrow’s leaders’1 to help and inspire women to progress up the career ladder.

Paul Totty, ACMA, CGMA, CIMA West Midlands area Chair, CIMA said: “Our research has shown that an important part of developing and facilitating the advancement of women into leadership roles in business is through mentoring and networking, both as individuals and with the support of employers. This evening served to provide not only inspiration to those who attended through hearing from, and being able to speak to, such a prestigious panel of successful women. It also offered a chance for local business people to meet each other and establish connections in a relaxed and sociable networking arena.”

The CIMA report found that female leaders worked in different ways from men and can bring real competitive advantage to a business. Yet, it discovered that CIMA’s female members were six times less likely than male members to be in senior roles such as CEO or CFO.

It advised that women in business can take action themselves to help progress in their aspirations to leadership, including getting support from a mentor, promoting their own achievements and joining female networks. Employers can also help women advance into positions of leadership by encouraging mentoring, offering flexible working practices and actively developing female staff.

At the event there was a short talk from each speaker followed by a Q&A panel session and then a chance to chat and network over a drink.

Yvonne Mosquito and Liz Mackenzie both spoke about their experiences in senior management roles. Nicola Fleet Milne talked about her career and experiences, with a particular emphasis on how important networking has been - and continues to be - for her. Lynda Kettle talked about her 30 year career at the BBC and how she became well known within the Birmingham art world. She shared her experiences of being a woman in a prominent role and offered advice on developing leadership skills, particularly from her experience achieving success in a very competitive organisation and leading teams in a male dominated environment.

1 http://www.cimaglobal.com/Thought-leadership/women/Breaking-glass/ (2010)

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chartered Institute of Management Accountants .