Last updated 24/02/2011
Morrisons has announced a commitment to identify future female business leaders and a target to more than double its number of female senior managers by 2014.
Morrisons is setting a target of reaching 30% female representation on the company’s Senior Management Group (SMG) – the top executives in the company - within three years. This figure presently stands at 13% and management believe more can be done be done to ensure women can move from the shop floor to the top floor.
Morrisons also believes making these changes will be good for the business, its customers and shareholders as it creates a bigger talent pool and will mean that our management are more representative of our customers and employees.
In order to achieve its 30% target, Morrisons is developing the skills, mindset and experience of our colleagues. It has established a steering group to ensure that opportunities are created for women in the business. Coaching and mentoring is also being provided for 300 senior women in Morrisons.
The programme has the backing of Morrisons’ board, including non-executive directors Johanna Waterous and Penny Hughes. It will be driven by Toni Eastwood, Morrisons’ Director of Academy and Talent, who has been a leading voice on this agenda over the last 12 years and was recognised in 2007 with an OBE for her services.
Morrisons will also be inviting its suppliers to aspire to similar targets starting with a conference in July.
Norman Pickavance, Morrisons Group HR Director, said: “We have a long way to go to meet our aspiration but we believe we are honestly facing this issue and setting out to fix it. However we believe passionately that all our colleagues have talent and we are totally committed to identifying issues and taking positive action to address them.”
Heather Jackson, Chief Executive of An Inspirational Journey, which is working in partnership with Morrisons, said: “We seek to increase the participation of women into executive and non-executive positions. It is essential that an organisation, along with its women, is proactive and collaborative. Morrisons have understood this from the start.”
Dalton Philips, Morrisons Chief Executive, said: “This will make us a better business and we want to see more women in senior management and on our board.
“As one of the largest employers in the UK, Morrisons believes we should be at the forefront of best practice and are delighted to launch our plans and activities for the next three years. We recognise that we have much to do so we’re setting ourselves tough initial targets to achieve better female representation.”