This year’s International Women’s Day focuses on inspiring inclusion. We caught up with some of our women here at JBA to find out more about them - including their proudest moments, how they’re supporting other women in the workplace, and things that could be done to #InspireInclusion in the workplace.
DR EMMA RAVEN
What are you most proud to have achieved during your working life?
Promotions are big milestones and I have been proud of each one I’ve earned. But whilst promotions are single events, they represent the accumulation of a wide range of smaller achievements over a long period of time. Lots of smaller proud moments, often only noticed by me. The buzz after giving a conference presentation, the relief when the report is finally marked as complete, the excitement when my idea is now a software tool, or the smile whilst reading that email saying that our tender was successful. It’s these things that make me proud of myself and of those who’ve been part of them too.
What advice would you most like to give your younger self?
“Don’t turn an opportunity down just because you are scared." I’ve grown to realise that if you don’t try, you will never know. Turning something down and watching someone else take the opportunity is not a nice feeling. Thankfully, I’m pretty good at taking work opportunities when they arise (e.g. agreeing to give big daunting presentations), but there are a few opportunities that I haven’t taken because I felt scared or not good enough, and I’ve ended up regretting that I let them get away. I would tell my younger self to go for them – they might not work out, but at least I would have tried. This doesn’t apply to everything though; I think I will always turn down the opportunity to go sky diving!
What everyday action could your colleagues take to foster an even more inclusive workplace?
One area that I and many of my colleagues can improve on, is to use more inclusive language without having to think about it. Being aware of and getting guidance around inclusive language is a good first step. Then using it every day until we don’t have to think about it. I don’t think our industry is very good at this and it’s still common to hear meetings and events beginning with “Ladies and Gents”. I think our company can lead by example around using inclusive language every day.
Hannah Kellett
What are you most proud to have achieved during your working life?
Having joined JBA straight from university, I am proud to have developed my knowledge and skills to a level which means I am now able to support more junior members of staff develop their own career paths. A personal achievement of mine, is gaining Chartered Geographer status and being recognised for my continuing professional development and my knowledge, understanding and skills in the workplace.
What advice would you most like to give your younger self?
Don't be afraid to take on opportunities that may seem a little daunting at first, as it's good to get outside your comfort zone, as you will surprise yourself in what you can achieve and learn.
How do you support other women at work?
I hope that I am a good role model to others and will always find time to listen and make space to catch up.
HELEN SMITH
What are you most proud to have achieved during your working life?
I've recently been appointed to JBA Risk Management's Board of Directors, which isn't something I'd dreamt possible when starting work at JBA 16 years ago. During that time, I've also been responsible for developing the world's best global flood maps, which are now used not only by multiple global re/insurers but are available to the World Bank for humanitarian projects. Being trusted with the responsibility of this development, and then being able to deliver the results for what was an extremely ambitious project, is something that I'll always be very proud of.
What advice would you most like to give your younger self?
Don't take yourself too seriously or feel you have to craft a boring, safe “in-work persona”. If you operate with honesty and integrity, you won't go far wrong; it's ok to show your personality at work.
How do you support other women at work?
I'm line manager to four women and help them with their personal development. More generally, I try to be approachable and empathetic and share insight gained through my own experiences. For example, on return from maternity leave, I wrote a piece for our staff newsletter about returning to work as a new mum, hoping to inspire others in similar positions and to provide insight to colleagues about challenges that they may not have been aware of before.
Dr Siân Lane
What are you most proud to have achieved during your working life?
The concrete achievement that I'm most proud of is finishing my PhD thesis and having contributed to science (in a small way) as the author of a few journal articles.
What advice would you most like to give your younger self?
The same advice that I was given by my first manager at JBA - "apply like a man." Women are much less likely to apply for jobs where they don't meet all the desirable criteria. Don't select yourself out of opportunities unnecessarily.
What everyday action could your colleagues take to foster an even more inclusive workplace?
Make space for everyone's voice to be heard. If you facilitate meetings, make sure everyone gets a chance to speak. Follow up with the people who don't talk in a group setting separately. If you are in a position to make decisions, don't always seek the input of the same group of people.