Dear Women in Mining UK,
While we are only two months into the year, it is already shaping up to be one of WIM(UK)’s most exciting. In this issue of our newsletter, it’s a pleasure to recap on the achievements we have already seen this year – not to mention provide a couple of hints about what is to come.
In January, we upheld our tradition of staging a trend tracking event, with SNL Metals & Mining stepping in to lead a panel discussion under the theme, Understanding the ‘State of the Market’ for Mining and Exploration. This was a fitting way to start the year and gave attendees plenty to think about as we discussed possible market recovery and returning to investor confidence.
In February, it was fantastic to see the many WIM(UK) members who made it out to Cape Town for a sunny reprieve during the Mining Indaba. Thanks go to all who found time amid that busy week to attend the reception, kindly hosted by Standard Bank, which offered a chance for us to put names and faces together in the form of our WIMSA counterparts.
Our plane back to London had barely hit the tarmac before the launch of our report, Mining for Talent 2014 – A review of women on boards in the mining industry. Since its launch, the report, our second in a series of three, has drawn support from companies, advisors, media and government commentators whose recognition of our critical findings is another excellent achievement for WIM(UK). We were delighted that many of you joined us to launch the report and debunk the myths at co-author PwC’s offices, for what proved to be a highly enjoyable evening of important debate and discussion.
We have plenty to look forward to in the coming couple of months, too. We hope that those of you going to the PDAC in Toronto will have a chance to attend the WIM Canada International Women in Mining Networking Reception on 4 March at MTCC, North Building, Room 105, between 3.00 – 5.00pm.
Our next WIM(UK) event will be on 18 March, in partnership with Women on Boards. At this event, kindly hosted by Mayer Brown, we will look at the challenges and opportunities in the Path to the Boardroom. In April, we will hold our annual retail event in support of Smart Works, for which details will be with you very soon.
And finally, if you plan to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March, we would very much like to hear all about your plans.
With Best Wishes,
Nuala Gallagher
WIM(UK) Newsletter Editor
WIM (UK) RECAPS
In the News – Mining for Talent 2014
On 12 February, WIM(UK) and co-author PwC launched Mining for Talent 2014 – A review of women on boards in the mining industry.
The Report is the second in a series of three undertaken by WIM(UK), analysing gender diversity at board level of the top 500 mining companies around the world. The findings within the report have been covered in press by a range of news organisations, including:
- Have we reached a tipping point in Britain for women on boards? – The Evening Standard, 19 February here
- UK mining companies slow to promote female executives – The Financial Times, 13 February here
If you haven’t managed to read it yet, you can view the report here.
WIM(UK) extends its greatest thanks to PwC for its hard work, to its own sponsors for their support, and to all of the companies that took part in this important project.
WIM(UK) 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining Project
At the Mines & Money London Conference, 2013, WIM(UK) launched its landmark 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining Project.
If you have not yet had the chance to see this project, it is available here.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
International Women’s Day
We are looking forward to celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) on Saturday, 8 March, 2014.
You can learn more about a wide range of celebrations and their supporters by visiting the International Women’s Day website here.
Your next events….
The Path to the Boardroom—18 March
Following the publication of the Mining for Talent 2014 report, WIM (UK), has partnered with Women on Boards UK for our event in March. WIM (UK) supports the view that more women on boards can and will make the mining industry a more profitable and sustainable place, and that board roles positively progress and promote the role of women in the mining industry. Our goals include is a measurable and sustainable increase in the number of women on mining company boards and in leadership roles, and in keeping with that aim, we bring you our next event.
For women who wish to explore the possibilities of board roles, Fiona Hathorn, Managing Director of Women on Boards UK will outline what a board role entails, the paths you could consider and look at other challenges in achieving your goal of a board position.
Women on Boards UK is a non-profit organisation that runs workshops and programmes to support women to navigate their pathway to the boardroom. Women on Boards UK’s focus is to inform, encourage, inspire and actively support women to find their way to the boardroom.
To register to attend, please click here.
WIM(UK) supports Smart Works – 7 April 2014
During the first quarter of each calendar year, WIM(UK) teams up with Smart Works – formerly known as Dress for Success – to support the organisation’s important objectives to help women on low incomes find employment.
Each year, our members take part in a combined clothing donation and shopping evening – and with each event, attendees grow more generous!
To register to attend, please click here.
IN THE NEWS
WIM (UK) Executives:
A number of WIM(UK) board members have been featured in press over the past couple of months, including:
- 8 January – Amanda van Dyke, Chairman of WIM(UK), was interviewed late last year in this video published by CSR21 here
- 21 January – Amanda was also interviewed by The Mining Report here
- 26 February – Nichole McCulloch, on WIM(UK)’s Executive Committee, participated in a roundtable interview about mining labour trends with Mining Technology here
UK Women in the workplace:
The role of women in the workplace has continued to claim its rightful prominent place in national newspapers following recently published data from the Office of National Statistics.
The data show that 46% of the UK workforce is made up of women and female employment rates are at the highest since records began.
- Number of Women in Work in Britain Hits Record High – but figures show the gender pay gap is growing too
The Independent, 19 February here - UK unemployment continues to fall with record numbers of women in work
The Guardian, 19 February here - UK unemployment falls by 125,000 to 2.34 million
BBC Business News, 20 February here - Record number of women in work, says Office for National Statistics
The Telegraph, 19 February here
SPEAKER ROLL CALL
Does your organisation go the extra mile to support its women? Do you work alongside someone inspirational? WIM(UK) is always on the lookout for outstanding speakers for our events programme. If you know such a person, or have ideas to share with us, please don’t hesitate to do so as we put together our schedule of meetings, seminars, networking and panel events for the coming months. Email here.
KEEPING IN THE LOOP
Our membership base continues to grow and to help us manage this, we ask that you ensure your WIM(UK) details are up to date. Please check your WIM(UK) information to make sure we have your correct contact details.
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