International Women's Day 2018 was celebrated in our offices throughout the UK, led by Equiniti’s colleague Gender Network which was founded last year to drive the issue of gender parity throughout our business. Lunch and learn style networking events took place at many larger sites, where colleagues shared their own career journeys and discussed this year’s theme #pressforprogress
In the run up to the day, our colleagues chose to vote on who should be named Equiniti’s ‘Woman in History’ for achievements in a technological field. Our winner was Ada Lovelace with 35% of votes. Lovelace is widely acknowledged as the world first computer programmer despite living in the 1840’s when women were routinely denied education. Our Equinitech centre in Exeter is named Ada House in her honour.
The network broadcast a specially made radio show where colleagues talked about the women (and men) who have inspired them personally or helped them in their careers. Purple wristbands were sold at a number of sites, in aid of the Fawcett Society, a leading women’s rights charity. Last month, Equiniti joined the 30% club, which means we will work towards having at least 30% female executive representation by 2020.