SPA celebrates International Women's Day
Today marks International Women’s Day (IWD). Celebrated across the globe, IWD celebrates women’s achievements and champions gender equality.
This year’s theme is #BreakTheBias, which seeks to challenge gender bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. Today women still face bias in communities, workplaces, and schools. This International Women’s Day challenges us to take responsibility for our thoughts and actions, which may uphold gender bias and call out discrimination when we see it.
Here at SPA, we are proud to champion women in all areas and levels within our business. Our staff is 70% female and leading the way as experts in Procurement, Marketing and more. In recent months, our Head of SPA Procurement, Lesley Anderson, has achieved Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Fellowship Status and her female led procurement team are constantly upskilling through the program too. In our Marketing Department, Corinne Kemp – Marketing & Communications Officer – has achieved Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) level 6. Further, two out of our three apprentices in Marketing, Business and Procurement are female and working towards qualifications that will enhance their career.
We are also tackling gender bias and discrimination on a company-wide level. We have held training in both Menopause Awareness and Confident Communication for our team. We are fostering an open and flexible workplace where all our team feel supported and can thrive regardless of gender identity.
Further, we seek to encourage female-led businesses to engage with us and bid for a spot on our frameworks. Our added value services for suppliers means we can offer business and marketing support to help their business grow.
SPA Director Clive Feeney said:
“We are delighted to be celebrating International Women’s Day. Our team is full of intelligent women who are essential to the success of our business and the advancement of public sector procurement.”
“We are continually striving to foster a supportive and equal workplace where our staff can achieve their full potential.”
