New Women’s Business Council to drive progress on closing the gender pay gap

Victoria Atkins explained that by celebrating the good work of employers such as Greggs and Vodafone, she hopes that more employers will be inspired to take action to close their own pay gaps.

The new refreshed Women’s Business Council – made up of business leaders – met in Westminster today.

Minister for Women, Victoria Atkins, said:

“I’m delighted that the Women’s Business Council, chaired now by Fiona Dawson, is helping to encourage businesses to really grasp the potential of all the wonderful women in our country.

“One of the greatest public services an employer can do is to give people a job. Government is working with the WBC as well as businesses and employers across the country to ensure they close that gap.”

New chairperson Fiona Dawson, the Global President of Mars Food, Multisales and Global Customers said:

“I’m delighted to lead the first meeting of our refreshed and revitalised Council.

“We will be supporting industries to tackle their gender pay gaps – identifying which issues will make the greatest improvement to closing their Gender Pay Gaps.

“My priority is to ensure that our partners are doing everything in their power to help women progress in the workplace.”

The meeting comes ahead of a speech set to be delivered by Minister for Women and Equalities, Amber Rudd, in which she will set out her priorities for the work of the GEO.

Earlier this year we launched #100waystoworkflexibly which details a range of different steps businesses can take to support both men and women at work including flexitime, job shares, remote working and annualised hours.

One such company is Greggs who have supported their employees through offering flexitime, part time work and job shares to fit around family needs.

Further information:

Since its inception in 2012, the WBC has been instrumental in creating a strong and enduring relationship between government and business. Cornerstones of their work include initiatives to help with the cost of childcare, offer more flexibility in the workplace, and encourage women to start up their own businesses.

In this new and exciting stage for the Council, its work continues to evolve. As new members join, they lend their expertise shaping the WBC’s direction and helping it to reduce the gender pay gap and ensure equality at work for all.