Mitie, the FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company, has been recognised at the Opportunity Now Excellence in Practice Awards 2014, as well as being listed as a Times Top 50 Employer for Women for the fourth consecutive year.
Karen Govier, Mitie’s Diversity and Inclusion Manager, has been recognised as leading the way on the inclusion and progress of women in the workplace by winning the Directing Diverse Talent Award.
Opportunity Now is the workplace gender diversity campaign from Business in the Community.
The Opportunity Now Excellence in Practice Awards recognise public and private sector organisations that have put gender at the heart of their business and are committed to creating inclusive workplaces for women at all levels.
Mitie has also received a Business in the Community Big Tick as part of the awards. The Big Tick is the leading endorsement of responsible business and is awarded to organisations that demonstrate significant achievements in this area.
Karen was particularly commended for her work to spearhead a number of initiatives promoting equality and diversity at Mitie, including:
- Setting up a company-wide women’s network and supporting its activities
- Piloting a maternity coaching programme, which has now been rolled out across the organisation
- Creating a network of diversity champions across Mitie's divisions to support and embed the diversity agenda
- Leading a range of internal programmes, including mentoring for interns, mentors and graduates, a company wide diversity week, and events celebrating the talent of young women at Mitie
- Leading on community outreach work, in particular assisting women offenders into the workplace in partnership with the charity Working Chance
Mitie has also been named as one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2014, which lists the organisations that are leading on workplace gender equality. All organisations within the Top 50 have demonstrated that gender equality is a key part of their business strategy, with consistent commitment to progressing women in the workplace throughout their organisation.
Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE, Chief Executive of Mitie, said:
“I’m delighted that Karen and Mitie have been recognised at the Opportunity Now Excellence in Practice Awards, and included in the Times Top 50 Employers for Women once again. We place great importance on celebrating diversity in its broadest sense, and promoting an inclusive and supportive working environment for our people.
“Attracting, developing and retaining the best talent at every level is integral to the success of our business and we are proud to be leading the way in diversity.”
Kathryn Nawrockyi, Director at Opportunity Now, said:
“Congratulations to Karen on winning the Directing Diverse Talent Award at the Opportunity Now Excellence in Practice Awards 2014, and to Mitie on being included in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2014. The standard of entries was incredibly high once again, and they should be hugely proud of their success.
“They are a great example of strong leadership; of how putting gender equality at the core of a business can create real, sustainable change for women, organisations and society as a whole. I hope other employers will be inspired by their work and use it to accelerate progress for women in their workforce.”
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For further information, contact:
Francesca Litchfield
T: +44 (0)20 3123 8677 E: Francesca.Litchfield@mitie.com
