KPMG and Santander top employers for women

KPMG

KPMG, Santander and Marks and Spencer are among the employers that have been named in The Times’ Top 50 Employers for Women 2015.

The list, which is compiled in partnership with Opportunity Now the gender equality campaign from Business in the Community, identifies and celebrates employers that can demonstrate best practice in improving attraction, retention, progression and engagement in relation to their approach to gender equality, diversity and inclusion.

Santander was recognised for its commitment to women through the benefits it offers. The firm offers a range of benefits that support female employees including flexible working and childcare vouchers. It also operates a gender network and forum designed to help create and showcase opportunities for skills development and career coaching.

KPMG was also recognised for the third year running for demonstrating gender equality as a core business strategy. It focuses on recruitment, promotion and retention.

Caroline Curtis, head of executive talent, succession and development at Santander UK, said: “We’re delighted to be named as one of the UK’s Top Employers for Women.

“Gender equality has long been a core value of our business and this award is a fantastic recognition of the hard work our employees across the country have put in to ensure this. Promoting equality is a business priority for the bank and we hope we can help inspire other employers to follow suit and drive change.”

Melanie Richards, vice chair at KPMG, said: “Diversity and inclusion is high on our clients’ boardroom agendas and an important societal issue which we have a responsibility to address.

“Being awarded prestigious titles such as the above will help us to attract and retain the most talented individuals in a rapidly changing society, and we are honoured to be ranked alongside other likeminded [employers which] are striving to change the business environment for the better.”

Pepsico was also recognised for its commitment to developing its talent pipeline through its recruitment and progression strategy. Since 2010, more than 126 women have gone through its programme. Some 89% of 2011 and 2011 participants have moved roles or been promoted since attending.

Its strategy won the firm the Advancing Women Award at the Opportunity Now Excellence in Practice Awards 2015.

BAE Systems’ focus on flexible working and the way the organisation harnesses technology through its Smart Working programme was also recognised.

Through the scheme, the organisation has seen significant savings and 76% of its employees are now more engaged. It won the employer the Agile Organisation Award.

Kathryn Nawrockyi, opportunity now director at Business in the Community, said: “The Excellence in Practice Awards highlight the advances being made by organisations in creating inclusive workplaces, where women are able to progress and reach their full potential.

“The winning organisations are those leading lights which have shown outstanding innovation and real, sustainable change to create equal and inclusive workplaces for women, and their success recognises their leadership in this area.”

The Times’ Top 50 Employers for Women 2015: