Today is International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is “Choose to Challenge” in a bid to wake up the world to gender bias and inequality and drive change.
We are a business that is predominantly female; we boast a 36:64 ratio of male/female which is a rarity for any business, and completely unheard of within the male dominated recruitment industry. We’re proud of how progressive this is for the wonderful world of the industry, but we would be lying if we said that this wasn’t coincidental. We nurture and develop our talent and celebrate their successes, regardless of their gender identity.
In the UK, only 19% of SME employers are majority-led by women and women only make up 27% of full-time senior officials. So, whilst gender bias and inequality may not exist within our business (the future at Baltimore Consulting is female, after all,) in the wider business world we are unfortunately not progressive enough, we’re not talking enough, we’re not challenging enough and we’re certainly not celebrating enough. In the wider business world, the majority of women in leadership roles will have be subjected to gender bias, and it’s time for change.
We’ve spoken to five incredibly empowering women in leadership who simply smash the stereotypes who have overcome challenges facing inequality.
Charmaine Vincent
An award-winning female entrepreneur and business owner of specialist, Public Sector recruitment agency, Baltimore Consulting.
Charmaine’s business has been fulfilling hiring requirements and supporting vulnerable subject areas such as NHS, Mental Health, SEN & Safeguarding Adults/Children since their inception.
In 2018, Charmaine successfully completed a management buyout to take full ownership of her company. Charmaine’s passion to fulfil her dreams in business whilst not compromising on her role as a mother, is what makes her story so inspiring. She hasn’t been afraid of showing vulnerability, to which she believes has contributed to both her personal and professional growth.
Making a difference to the community and positively impacting others around her is at the core of everything Charmaine does. She knows first-hand what it feels like to lose a loved one to cancer and is a proud supporter of Cancer Research UK. Her exceptional fundraising efforts were awarded in 2020, with her being recognised as “Fundraising Volunteer of the Year”, having raised circa ¬£23,000 for the charity.
Charmaine’s desire to inspire others doesn’t stop there. During the global pandemic, “Business F.I.L.E” Podcast (Female Industry Leaders Excel) was created to help inspire, break down barriers and create industry role models through sharing best practice. A member of Women in Recruitment, she is an advocate of women in business and is actively paving the way for female leaders within Baltimore Consulting. Charmaine truly believes that people should have a leader that fights in their corner based on their knowledge and experiences, not their gender identity.
Under her leadership, Baltimore Consulting have won Best Recruitment Company to Work for at the Recruiter Investing in Talent awards for the last 2 years, and Charmaine has been awarded the following accolades:
SME Director of the Year 2019 (Regional & National) – IoD Awards
Businesswoman of the Year 2019 – National Business Women Awards
Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 – Business Leader Awards
A successful businesswoman who has followed her dreams, despite adversity and is passionate about inspiring others, through leading from the front within the industry. A development advocate, Charmaine continues to invest heavily in herself and her staff by empowering them to become the best version of themselves.
Natasha Clarke
Previously Chief People Officer at SThree, Natasha now specialises in supporting CEOs and boards to develop their people strategy, improving and driving performance through leadership and culture. She also mentors and supports leaders looking to become board-ready.
Natasha started her career as a recruiter in 1994. In 1997, she was the founding Managing Director of Pathway (now Real Staffing Group) and headed up SThree’s first office in the Middle East in 2008.
She became a senior board member with SThree PLC in 2005 when it listed on the UK stock market. She was responsible for establishing new offices in both Moscow and Sao Paulo, aligning the group to improve synergies and efficiency, and supporting the CEO and main board to design and deliver the global group strategy. In 2008, she took responsibility for the global People function, which included HR, Learning and Development and Strategic Implementation. In 2011, she established the ‘identity programme’ for SThree; a programme designed to support the development and progression of women within the organisation.
In 2014 and 2015, SThree were recognised by The Times in their Top 50 Employers for Women, with Natasha personally being named Opportunity Now’s Diversity Champion. She was also a founding member of Women in Recruitment, of which she is now Chair. Between 2008 and 2011, she sat on the board of APSCo.
Natasha is an advisor to the Aleto Foundation a social mobility charity.
Ann Swain
Ann has been the Chief Executive of APSCo (formerly ATSCo) since 1999 establishing it as the only international trade body dedicated to supporting the needs of recruitment firms operating in professional staffing sectors in the UK, Asia, Australasia and Germany. APSCo has expanded its global footprint rapidly in recent years and has offices in the UK; Germany, Australia and Singapore.
Ann has over 30 years’ recruitment experience including several years as Managing Director of Learning Curve and UK Sales Director at Computer People. In 2009, she accepted a fellowship from the NSPCC charity in recognition of her outstanding work to support vulnerable children in the UK.
In 2018, Ann received the prestigious Leadership Award from the Trade Association Forum as well as an award for Best Leadership of an Association at the Association Leadership Awards. She currently features in the SIA ‘Global Power 50’ list of the most influential women in international recruitment – an accolade she has held for the last four years.
Ann is a leading commentator on professional recruitment trends, the co-author of the best-selling ‘Professional Recruiter’s Handbook’ and a popular platform speaker at UK and international recruitment conferences. She also starred in the docu-series Top Recruiter 5; Europe v USA in which she chaired the European team.
Lysha Holmes
Lysha Holmes has worked in the recruitment industry since 1998. Her first role in recruitment was working as a headhunter within the engineering and manufacturing space, placing permanent, white collar engineers across the Midlands. Her success speaks for itself; she became the top biller for 3-years at the national recruitment company in which she worked for at the time.
After moving back to her native Manchester, Lysha joined a boutique recruitment consultancy that focused on the media sector, and after a year, Lysha moved into the R2R market.
Following the birth of her daughter in 2004, Lysha launched Qui Recruitment in 2005, focusing on the experienced R2R market across the North West where she remains a market leader and champion to this day. The business places experienced hires also in Yorkshire and London as well as remaining the leading light across the North West.
As a broadcaster on her own podcast, The Recruiters Recruitment Podcast, and YouTube channel (the recruiters recruitment podcast and YouTube Qui Recruitment R2R), Lysha is regarded as a heavily invested and knowledgeable recruitment professional ensuring best practice across the industry.
As a single mum to two teenage girls, Lysha is a champion to working parents, proudly living an alcohol-free life and has done so since June 2017.
Lysha is a mental health in recruitment champion, an ambassador for Inclusion Crowd (DEI), mentor for Women In recruitment (APSCo) and is also a supporter to local charities, such as the Josh Wilson brain tumour charity, Mustard Tree Homeless Charity and the Met theatre in Bury.
Sally Powell MA PCC
Sally is an engaging and highly-experienced Leadership, Team & Executive Coach, working with leaders across various sectors, including Tech, FMCG, Professional Services, Recruitment and Non-profit. Before starting her own coaching business, Sally spent sixteen years working for world-class companies, including Diageo and Microsoft, leading and coaching teams. She is passionate about helping people fulfil their potential.
CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE: CHARMAINE VINCENT
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?
I am an award-winning female entrepreneur, business owner and CEO of public sector recruitment agency, Baltimore Consulting.
I run the business with my team’s best interests at heart, instilling a coaching culture throughout by continually up-skilling myself and my employees. My role is to implement an inclusive culture, I know that one size does not fit all. It’s imperative that my team understand the part they play in our success story and continually get the recognition that they deserve.
I’m also a very proud mother. It’s my responsibility to inspire my daughter and for her to know, she can be whoever she wants to be in life, without judgement. Florence knows the importance of being your authentic self, offering kindness (to yourself and others) and to never stop believing in yourself and what you can achieve.
WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE?
I have 22 year’s professional experience, including senior recruitment expertise, spanning across both the public and commercial sector. I refer to these 22 years much like a biography with many exciting chapters, (some still remain unwritten). The past 8 years of my journey has been spent successfully running my own business as a passionate female entrepreneur. Having set up Baltimore Consulting in 2013 with my then business partner, I recognised that after 5-years, the strategies of Baltimore and the wider group were no longer aligned. I knew that it was time for Baltimore to continue to grow independently and re-establish itself as a market leader. This resulted in me successfully completed a management buyout in 2018, which was a huge milestone for me. I’m living proof that hard work and a strong will to succeed can help you achieve your dreams, even if you don’t take the most conventional route.
WHO IS YOUR FEMALE ICON? WHO INSPIRES YOU THE MOST AND WHY?
I’d say that generally speaking, strong women that overcome adversity and those that aren’t afraid to show vulnerability really inspire me. We all have challenges in life and no one story is the same. It’s how we overcome those challenges and our willingness to share our stories and what we have learnt along the way, that makes us inspiring.
I follow Brene Brown and think she’s absolutely fantastic. She quotes:
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.”
Brene talks about courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy, and is a hugely positive role model for women. I read “Daring Greatly” a couple of years ago and Brene has an amazing ability to find the appropriate language in order to articulate collective feeling, and you can’t help but feel empowered.
BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING GENDER BIAS AND INEQUALITY?
Over the years and through many personal experiences, I’ve learnt how to effectively articulate my point of view, so my advice would be to never lose your voice. I’d previously spent many painful years working in a male dominated environment, attempting to assert myself through, what I now know was an emotionally fuelled voice. The reality was, that the important facts were lost in the emotion and my desire to fight back to protect myself. Sadly, this ultimately meant that my opinion and voice was rarely heard. Thankfully, I backed myself 100%, I remained calm and consistently delivered the evidence and business critical facts. This was the moment my life changed. There will always be a queue of people to make you question your ability, so it’s imperative that you don’t join that queue of self-doubt and negativity. You have to own your story and be proud of it. The moment you find your voice, is the moment you can confidently move forward in the right direction.
AS A FEMALE LEADER, IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO BUSINESSES STARTING THEIR JOURNEY TO AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
My advice would be to stay true to yourself, lead with your heart and always put your people first. It is critical that you understand your own core values and business purpose. Invest the time to define your culture and to really understand what makes you and your business so different “Your DNA”. Your staff will need to believe in the vision and values of the business to assess suitability and work satisfaction. Don’t forget, it’s your responsibility to take them on that journey. Inclusion and diversity in the workplace, isn’t about ticking a box. It’s about recruiting people that are unique, from varied backgrounds and experiences, appreciating their values and communicating appropriately.
CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE: NATASHA CLARKE
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?
I am a Board Advisor and Diversity Champion, specialising in the support of CEOs and boards to develop their people strategy and to improve and drive performance through leadership and culture. In addition to this, I actively mentor leaders who are looking to become board ready.
WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE?
I have over 30 years’ worth of experience in the recruitment industry, starting off as a recruiter in the tech space, to becoming a business founder, Managing Director, and Chief People Officer.
WHO IS YOUR FEMALE ICON? WHO INSPIRES YOU THE MOST AND WHY?
Madame CJ Walker; the first female millionaire in America. She was the first person in her family to be “free-born” after her parents were released from a life of enslavement and became an orphan at the age of 7; her life was entirely an uphill battle. After suffering from a scalp ailment that result in hair loss, she invented a line of African American hair products. Her business acumen led her to be one of the first American women to become a self-made millionaire and she was well known for her philanthropic endeavours.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPERIENCES ON GENDER BIAS AND INEQUALITY BOTH IN THE WORKPLACE AND OUTSIDE?
We have years of social conditioning to change and are only on the cusp of it. It is as much a challenge outside of work as it is inside. Not only because of years of conditioning but because there is still a fear of being different and how you will be perceived if you are.
HOW HAVE YOU CHALLENGED THIS?
I have always strived to champion women in the workplace and off the back of this, set up Women in Recruitment; a place for women working in the recruitment industry to feel heard and empowered. I have acted as a female role model, as the only female board member in my PLC company.
I have undoubtedly challenged the stereotypes and biases within the workplace, as well as the culture change required to include all staff. I was an island in this regard for a while. I have been the bread winner in my marriage, and now work with a charity supporting those from tough reality backgrounds, using my experiences to help.
WHAT HELPED YOU GET THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE AND WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT FROM THIS?
It’s been a belief that I deserved the same opportunity as anyone else around me, that I was good enough, and a desire to be independent and make my mark in the world.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING GENDER BIAS AND INEQUALITY?
It is so important to try to educate those around you before you dismiss them or accept the inequality. Much of the issue stems from a lack of understanding more than, or as much as, a lack of desire to change.
AS A FEMALE LEADER, IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO BUSINESSES STARTING THEIR JOURNEY TO AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Be human, lead with your heart as well as your head, look beyond the physical aspects of an individual and see what lies within, understand that difference brings opportunity.
CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE: ANN SWAIN
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?
I am the Global CEO of the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo), the only international trade body dedicated to supporting the needs of recruitment firms operating in professional staffing sectors in the UK, Asia, Australasia and Germany.
WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE?
I’ve always worked in the recruitment and talent field in some form. Once I graduated from the University of York, I spent a year selling recruitment advertising space for Computing magazine before moving directly into hiring, working for a specialist IT staffing company. My next two roles were in-house, where I was employed as a HR manager for two software companies. While the job title didn’t exist at the time, I was essentially acting as head of talent acquisition in both businesses. It was in this role that I was able to work with a real range of staffing firms to source top talent. I then went on to set up my own business – Learning Curve – which delivered training for recruiters and management teams, which I sold to Computer People (part of Adecco at the time) and became UK Sales Director for the business. In 1999 – when IR35 first became a concern in the IT recruitment field – I decided that action was needed and became the founding CEO OF ATSCo – the Association of Technology Staffing Companies. This was initially set up to provide a separate voice for recruitment firms in the IT sector, however after a series of important lobbying successes, it became evident that other professional recruiters wanted a distinctive voice and specialist support, and APSCo was formed in 2009.
WHO IS YOUR FEMALE ICON? WHO INSPIRES YOU THE MOST AND WHY?
If I were to pinpoint any females who inspire me who are in the ‘celebrity’ world, I would have to say that Oprah Winfrey is particularly inspiring, as is Bette Midler. Both individuals show real drive and passion for what they do. They’ve carved out their own big career, but they haven’t done so at the expense of others.
But I think if I were to consider who could – and should – be role models for future women leaders (speaking from a professional and personal capacity as a mum to seven daughters) I think female icons can be found in the everyday as well. If you look across every sector there are women who are juggling a lot but are unafraid to push their way forward, make a difference and do great things. To me, these are the inspirational females that motivate others around them.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPERIENCES ON GENDER BIAS AND INEQUALITY BOTH IN THE WORKPLACE AND OUTSIDE?
HOW HAVE YOU CHALLENGED THIS AND WHAT HELPED YOU GET THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE?
Loads of women have been confronted by gender bias, whether that’s overtly or not, but I haven’t been hit by what I would consider obvious inequality myself. Being in recruitment, my results were all that mattered. At the time, everyone’s sales figures were noted on a board for all to see and what those figures showed mattered more than my gender.
That being said, I do believe that there are self-limiting views that can lead to some people creating their own inequality. I myself have experienced Imposter Syndrome in previous roles where I didn’t believe I was the right person for a job and in essence created my own gender bias. But I learnt pretty quickly that I needed the self-belief to really push myself out of this.
While this is very much my experience, I do recognise that inequality and bias is an issue – not just in relation to gender and the main protected characteristics, but for everyone. In order to help guide businesses and individuals out of this inequality rut, APSCo has made a commitment to drive the diversity agenda for the professional recruitment sector. In fact, we have launched APSCo Embrace – an all-encompassing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) campaign which includes a number of different strands to support recruitment firms with their own ED&I approaches. This includes a resources hub with practical guidance for firms, an events programme focused on ED&I issues and a dedicated steering committee, made up of external experts tasked with steering new initiatives to help the recruitment sector lead the way in equality, diversity and inclusion.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING GENDER BIAS AND INEQUALITY?
I think that self-belief and overcoming Imposter Syndrome does come with age, experience and confidence. However, being well-prepared and becoming an expert in your field will also help overcome your own limitations and give you the confidence to battle any external inequality you may be facing. It’s also important to be authentic. Understanding who you are as an individual, what your strengths are and utilising these to develop a strong and honest personal brand will valuable.
And while I didn’t have one in my career, I do believe that access to a mentor can be hugely beneficial. In fact, APSCo will be launching a mentoring programme which will give hundreds of recruiters access to experienced senior level industry experts to support their own personal development.
AS A FEMALE LEADER, IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO BUSINESSES STARTING THEIR JOURNEY TO AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
For those businesses looking to create an inclusive workplace, I would stress the need to be proactive. Achieving true diversity and equality requires more than the right attitude – it needs action. Question your processes, implement changes and look in different places for talent.
CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE: LYSHA HOLMES
WHO ARE YOU?
I am the owner of QUI Recruitment Limited, a business in which I set up in 2005 as a means of placing the top recruitment talent across the North West of England, Leeds and London, into the best recruitment firms in the country. I am now a broadcaster on “The Recruiters Recruitment Podcast” and weekly crowdcast, “The Recruitment Shining Stars Show”. I am a single mum to two teenage girls living an alcohol-free, healthy lifestyle in Lancashire.
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?
I run the business, therefore, this is all that encompasses, as well as running my desk which is placing senior recruitment professionals across the North West. I am responsible for the content across the brand and ensuring our broadcast channels are full of inspiring and valuable guests.
WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE?
I started working in recruitment in 1998, after having had an early career within sales and marketing (Property and FMCG). I worked my way into the engineering sector and became the top biller whilst working on a permanent recruitment desk within a national recruitment company. I started in R2R in 2002 and have remained in this sector ever since! I then started Qui Recruitment in 2005 following the birth of my eldest daughter.
WHO IS YOUR FEMALE ICON? WHO INSPIRES YOU THE MOST AND WHY?
Michelle Obama – I love her personal story, having come from a working-class family in Chicago and forging her own legal career before Obama became the President of the United States. Her journey to becoming is so inspiring, and as a mother she has created a pathway for inclusivity across America.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPERIENCES ON GENDER BIAS AND INEQUALITY BOTH IN THE WORKPLACE AND OUTSIDE?
I come from quite a traditional Jewish family and so when I was growing up, the emphasis was a little contradictory around “aspiring to be a Jewish wife and mother”, yet equally I went to an independent grammar school. In this society, there is a distinction between men and women, and even at a young age, this troubled me – why were the women in a separate part of the synagogue? Why were the women at home cooking when the men were out working?
I set up my own business because returning to work from maternity on a part time and/or flexible basis was not available to me in 2005 and this was something I have challenged in employers ever since.
Parents can still be successful whilst balancing a family and working flexibly around their life needs.
HOW HAVE YOU CHALLENGED THIS?
25% of my own placements year-on-year have been for part time working parents, so this was always a challenge I mustered to recruitment companies (pre-covid).
WHAT HELPED YOU GET THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE AND WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT FROM THIS?
I have learned that it is ok to show your vulnerability to other leaders in order to allow them to show theirs and this instils confidence in your advice and suggestions for change!
I broke away from the traditional Jewish lifestyle when I was 17 and encourage my own daughters to make their own decisions in life. They are entirely independent of anyone else in life. They are both very free thinking, confident, assertive and ambitious young women, to this effect.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING GENDER BIAS AND INEQUALITY?
Seek out voices, profiles, and recommendations of those who stand for what you are striving for. Understand what the issue is and ask those people for advice on how to remedy it. To the perpetrator, it may be a lack of insight or understanding, so show compassion when challenging them. It can take a lot to change someone else’s mindset so take control of your own situation and if you can’t push against the injustice, make a plan to move on from the scenario.
AS A FEMALE LEADER, IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO BUSINESSES STARTING THEIR JOURNEY TO AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Understand what it really means to be inclusive. Champion each and every individual. Don’t pigeonhole anyone. Allow people to find their natural flow as this is where you will get their most passionate, inspiring work. Start with yourself.
CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE: SALLY POWELL
WHO ARE YOU?
I am an Executive Coach, Leadership Trainer and Facilitator. I am an amazing woman running a successful coaching business, balancing my family of boys and a career that I love.
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?
In my coaching business, I work with ambitious men and women, who are curious to explore their potential further, and want to inspire others. People who, if they are honest with themselves, know things need to change. It may be that their leadership style feels too reactive, they are working in overdrive, or are investing too much time in others and not enough in themselves. I am very fortunate to work with amazing people. They love their work (sometimes obsessively), describing their team as being like their second family.
WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE?
I was brave enough to take off the job title label and explore what really makes me tick. I found the courage to take 16 years of leadership experience with inspirational companies and brands like Diageo, Microsoft and Tesco, and use it to serve others through coaching. I trained with the Coaches Training Institute, which is widely recognised as the industry’s most rigorous coach training programme.
WHO IS YOUR FEMALE ICON? WHO INSPIRES YOU THE MOST AND WHY?
When I was in my teens, I read Judy Leden’s inspiring autobiography called ‘Flying with Condors’. Three times Judy Leden has been the world champion—twice in hang gliding and once in paragliding – and she is a 6-time British Women’s Champion. In Patagonia, she realised that her dream was to fly wing-tip to wing-tip with Andean condors. Judy’s story has stayed with me, so she truly has an iconic status for me.
She reminds me that it is worth searching for what you love and that you need to ask the question, “what the hell do I do with my life?” and there is freedom to be found; for her, it was with the condors. I am inspired by stories, by the beauty of the human experience, by those who are not afraid to question why we are here and that life really is for living.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPERIENCES ON GENDER BIAS AND INEQUALITY BOTH IN THE WORKPLACE AND OUTSIDE?
I have experienced the subtle language that can come with gender bias:
“You don’t have the gravitas…”
“People will find it difficult to take you as seriously…”
Fill in the words “as a man” afterwards.
I also wonder how many roles I have been paid less than the men who have done the exact same position. I am sad to say I never questioned these things at the time. I am very fortunate to now do the work I do, to enable my clients to explore their perspectives around gender, around inequality, in the safe space that is a coaching conversation and then champion them to take action.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING GENDER BIAS AND INEQUALITY?
Speak up. We need to hear all the voices. Don’t make assumptions that other people understand or even know what is going on. Assumptions make idiots out of all of us.
AS A FEMALE LEADER, IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO BUSINESSES STARTING THEIR JOURNEY TO AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The business you are creating tells others what you value. Ask yourself what matters to you, and then work hard to create a business that looks and feels like that. My business values curiosity, different perspectives, service and growth. This is my compass, my guiding light even on difficult days.
