Today sees the return of International Women’s Day, an annual celebration of women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements – and a timely opportunity to quiz some of the furniture industry’s leading ladies on the trade’s journey to gender equality and equity …
PwC’s long-running Women in Work Index shows that progress towards gender equality across the developed world has been “exceedingly slow over the last 10 years, with a persistent gender pay gap of 14%, down only 2.5 percentage points since 2011”.
But while meaningful change may be slow to emerge, there is a growing feeling within the UK furniture industry – traditionally a heavily male-dominated sphere – that women are increasingly exerting an influence. With Clarion’s Women in Furniture Network (WIFN) now regularly bringing industry representatives together to learn about and discuss the issues and opportunities facing them – and to make contact with women across the industry – there is a palpable feeling of progress in our sector.
Echoing that sentiment are this year’s interviewees: Donna Bellingham (CEO, Shackletons); Ingrid Lohse (chief sales officer, Forte); Sarah Bianchi (MD, Arighi Bianchi); and Nicolle Hockin (MD, Devonshire Pine).
Read our feature here.
