Womens Network
The Bank’s network for women – “Women in the Bank” – was created in July 2007. Its purpose is to support all women in their career progression at the Bank.
To achieve this aim, the network organises activities around four key themes:
- Realising what is possible at the Bank: The network organises a series of lunch-time panel sessions with women from the Bank highlighting a range of career issues. The purpose of these sessions is to learn from others, to share experiences and discuss innovative solutions to real and perceived barriers to career progression. The sessions are open to both men and women.
- Inspiring stories: The network also organises external speaker events. Listening to what people have achieved in a different context can be both inspiring and motivating. These events are open to both men and women.
- Adding to individuals’ skill sets: These will help women develop their skills in areas such as personal impact and managing conflict.
- Meeting others: The network also organises social events. These provide an informal setting for women from all parts of the Bank to get to know each other.
Examples of some of the events that have taken place over the past year are:
- Presentations from Lamia Walker, Director of Women in Business at London Business School; Pennah Thomson and Jacey Graham presenting on “Roadmap to the Board”; talking about Men and Women in Teams; DeAnne Julius speaking about Life as a Non-Executive Director; Sue Owen, Director General for Corporate Performance at DFID and a leader of working group on gender equality in the senior civil service.
- Presentations from Bank staff on taking time out of your career, the facts on diversity at the Bank and the diversity strategy for 2009/10, International women - surprises from working in a foreign environment; and panel sessions with senior women from across the Bank.
- Social evenings and networking events.