Our interview with Joanne Holborn of Knights ahead of Cumbria’s International Women’s Day
With Cumbria’s International Women’s Day taking place this week, we sit down with Joanne Holborn of our Women in Business Network sponsor, Knights, to talk all things women in business as well as plans for the big day!
1. How long have you been involved as a sponsor of Cumbria Chamber’s Women in Business Network?
I have personally been involved with the Chamber’s Women in Business Network since approximately 2008, and latterly since the event has been sponsored by Knights.
2. Why did you decide to sponsor the Women in Business Network?
The initial intention was to promote the fact that there are many women running businesses within Cumbria who were unknown. I think that’s something we’ve been successful in achieving over the years, bringing female business owners in Cumbria to the forefront.
We also wanted to give business women a platform to network and connect with each other; and talk about their experiences running or working in a company. We also wanted to create a forum for female entrepreneurs to share their knowledge and inspire others to take that step.
For me, it’s always been about championing and helping women who are running businesses. I am an employment lawyer, so I can share my thirty years of experience in how to deal with issues that may arise with employees. I have colleagues who are specialists in all aspects of law, so I can also call on their expertise to assist a client, whatever support maybe needed.
3. There’s a professional development side to the Women in Business Network as well. Can you talk a bit about that?
Over the years we’ve hosted events and workshops for the network on various business topics, e.g. law, leadership and finance. I’ve been involved in running workshops following the themes of International Women’s Day, so in the past I have delivered sessions on equality, diversity and inclusion, advice on the support employers should provide to employees going through the menopause and this year I am covering changes to family friendly legislation that are being introduced in April this year.
4. We’ve got our International Women’s Day event coming up this week. What can people expect from this event based on previous years?
It’s always a great day where we celebrate all things women in business! The event has grown steadily over the last few years. It’s a day packed full of inspirational speakers, presentations and discussions. There’s 60 to 70 women in the room, all sharing knowledge and experiences and building their network and connections.
5. How do you champion women in the workplace at Knights and ensure that women are able to progress into senior roles?
Knights is a business that champions and promotes career opportunities for women.
6. How can businesses attract a more diverse workforce?
Recruitment is a real issue in Cumbria, so promoting flexibility (if this is an option) can attract people to your business. Also considering advertising jobs in different locations, over a wider geographic area and by utilising non-traditional means may produce a wider selection of talent. There is plenty of evidence that diverse teams make better decisions, so companies could also consider using digital resources to access hard to reach groups and targeted ads. Looking at recruitment in new ways may attract people to come to work in the area.
7. Do you think employers’ attitudes to flexible working have changed since Covid?
Undoubtedly. Covid accelerated business thinking in relation to considering alternative methods of working and how to manage staff remotely. With its legislative programme, the current government wants to encourage more flexibility in the workplace and a new flexible working regime is coming in from 6th April, which is something I will be talking about on Friday.
8. How have businesses in Cumbria adapted to attract more women into the workplace?
I know some businesses who’ve embraced flexibility without the proposed legislative changes. They’ve said we want to attract the best people to come and work for us, so we’re going to promote flexibility and allow different ways of working. Obviously, that’s not possible for all businesses, which can cause resentment for those who do not have flexibility due to the nature of their role. Attracting people to come and work for any business can be tricky, however in a recent study by national recruitment firm, Hays, it was found that 47% of those considering a new role, hybrid working is the most important flexible working option they want to see.
9. One of the things that often gets talked about is the gender pay gap. Do you have any thoughts on how we can work to resolve this?
The Equal Pay Act which was introduced in in 1970 supposedly to prevent discrimination in relation to terms and conditions between men and women. However, despite their being some very high-profile cases highlighting that women are still not paid equally, e.g. the scandal at the BBC, an imbalance still exists. Things like pay transparency and committing to flexibility can help, however, what is needed is for businesses to properly analyse their data and take steps to remedy any inequalities.
10. The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is ‘Inspire Inclusion’. Do you have any thoughts on this?
Well inclusion is something I always promote to businesses, as it is well know that more diverse teams make better decisions. As an employer, looking at your recruitment process is a good place to start. Advertising jobs in different and new places and thinking about how you use the digital space effectively. The level of targeting you can achieve with digital ads is really precise and can be a great way of reaching new talent.
11. What are your expectations for the next generation of women who are entering the workplace?
There are now more opportunities for women than when I started out in my career. And I’m seeing more and more women with the skills and confidence to start running their own business. Our International Women’s Day event is a celebration of these women and the atmosphere is always so vibrant and positive. I always have a bit of trepidation because I’m presenting, however, it’s an overwhelmingly a uplifting experience. I always leave having met some really interesting and inspiring women!
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