Some success stories of the BiB Awards’ winners include strong evidence of set measures linked to directors’/ senior leaders’ performance relative to achieving female % targets, embedment of I&D strategy in the overall business strategy, development of flexible working charters with case studies, development of data tools to drive accountability and track progress.

All applications were carefully evaluated in a two-step process. Firstly, all judges, comprising Charlie Godolphin, Programme Lead, FTSE Women Leaders Review; Helen Pitcher OBE, Chairman, Advanced Boardroom Excellence, Chair of the Criminal Justice Appointments Committee; Lord Shinkwin, Working Peer, House of Lords; Cain Ullah, Co-founder and former CEO of Red Badger, Founder of Mission Beyond; made their assessments individually and thereafter as a group. The criteria used to evaluate the applications were:

• gender representation at board, exco and direct report levels based on the FTSE Women Leaders Review (see summary table here).
• Organisations leading the way through innovation, re-designing policies and levelling the playing field for women and men in the workplace (see awards criteria set out here).

Judge Helen Pitcher OBE, Chairman, Advanced Boardroom Excellence, said:
“I have been delighted by the calibre of applications, which presented a difficult task for us as judges. All entries are worthy of merit and should be applauded.”

The evening was headlined by high-level speakers; Denise Wilson OBE, CEO of The FTSE Women Leaders Review; Pedro Pina, VP Head of YouTube EMEA; Danuta Gray, Chair of Direct Line Insurance Group plc; and was concluded with the Awards presentations by Norman Fiore, BiB’s Board Director; co-founder and General Partner Dawn Capital, BiB’s Founding Partner where each winner had the opportunity to briefly present their success stories on reaching a more gender balanced, diverse and inclusive workplace.

Florence Hamilton, Founder and Lead, INSEAD Alumni Balance in Business Initiative said:

“Congratulations to all winners! I’m thrilled that companies from across a wide range of sectors are working towards improving gender balance, introducing new policies, coming up with innovative initiatives and the impact is being measured and is visible! And more importantly, they have come forward and are willing to share their stories. I truly believe that only through joining forces and collaborating will we make a real difference and create a fairer business environment.”

Jonathan Geldart, Director General at the Institute of Directors, said:

“We are proud to be associated with the inaugural BiB Awards. There remains a need to focus on balance and diversity and I would like to congratulate all of our award winners, who are leading the way in terms of improving gender representation at the highest level.”

The awards have been created in partnership with the Iod and have been supported by the FTSE Women Leaders Review to recognise trail-blazing FTSE350 organisations, leading the way through innovation, re-designing policies and levelling the playing field for women and men in the workplace.

For more information about the shortlisted companies’ stories and more, visit: https://balanceinbusiness.org/bib-awards-our-stories-told/

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