The Leeds based operation of Carat, the world’s first media agency and a member of the Dentsu Aegis Network, will use Leeds Business Week to set a challenge for organisations across the city region as it announces that its UK and Ireland business will commit to achieve a 50/50 gender balance in its leadership positions by 2020.
Leading by example, the Leeds based office of the agency will challenge other businesses throughout the region to make it a strategic priority to put in place a diversity and inclusion programme to address the ongoing imbalance that still exists in many corporate organisations.
Director at Carat, Andrea Bagan comments: “We want to use Leeds Business Week as a platform to share our commitment to achieve a 50/50 gender balance by 2020. This is a conscious decision by us, as both a national and regional agency, to create a culture that is inclusive and where everyone is encouraged and supported to achieve their full potential.
“We hope that through sharing our journey so far, and the many initiatives we have put in place across our network, we will inspire other leaders and businesses across Yorkshire to commit to change.”
Using the Leeds Business Week calendar of events to further reinforce the approach it is taking, Carat has sponsored the Women’s Networking Session, which takes place on Monday 9 October at Tattu in Leeds from 1pm – 3pm.
Bagan continues: “We believe that through supporting events such as this, which provide women with the opportunity to make connections, build relationships and increase confidence away from their day to day working environment, we can help to promote the benefits of a diverse and inclusive industry. After all, a diverse workforce brings different perspectives, approaches and styles of leadership, which together fuel innovation and stronger performance.”
Carat Leeds is already ahead of its commitment with two thirds of its leadership team made up of women, and across Dentsu Aegis UK, there is a strong focus on nurturing talent, promoting and positioning more female candidates in senior positions throughout the network over the years ahead.
Working with leading businesses throughout the UK including Pure Gym, StepChange Debt Charity, Morphy Richards, English Heritage, Park Dean Resorts, Hammerson and The View From The Shard, the agency is one of the largest communications, media and digital agencies in the North.
For further details about Leeds Business Week please visit: www.leedbizweek.co.uk and for information about Carat please visit: https://www.carat.com/leeds/en/
