Booker Group has launched its first Colleague Network to champion gender equality and to help women be at their best.
The initial aims of the network, called Women in Booker, are to raise awareness of gender imbalance, to create network opportunities and to support, inspire and motivate female careers across the business. The network is sponsored by members of the Booker Executive including Sheila Gallagher, Rebecca Mallows, and Helen Williams – alongside Stuart Hyslop a male ally to the network.
The network will be chaired by National Accounts Controller Abbie Hackwell with support from Head of Transport Maria Chittenden.
Following the launch, a colleague Steering Committee is being created that will help to form and shape the developments of the future.
A virtual event held on International Women’s Day (8 March) saw more than 750 colleagues covering all areas and work levels across the group come together to learn more about what a network is, equity versus equality, and the business benefits that come with having more women in leadership.
Rebecca Mallows, People Director at Booker, said: “Booker is changing and we are clear where we need to go. We are upskilling our leaders and connecting our colleagues and this new network is a real step change. We have had an overwhelmingly positive response to the launch and are really looking forward to the changes Women in Booker is going to achieve.”
Hackwell added: “Championing Women is something that I care passionately about and we are going to create new opportunities for our colleagues to really connect, share experiences and support one another to progress. There are so many positive changes to come from this, which we will achieve together. I have been mentored and found it to be a transformative and positive experience that brought so much to me, both professionally and personally – and this is just one area where we can do better.
“The network is not exclusively for women and I’m really encouraged of the diversity of colleagues now onboarding with the network. It has been an inspiring time and now we have a lot of work to do.”
