Female Leaders - IWD2022 – Alex Knowles-Mcnab

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, Krishnan interviews Alex Knowles-Mcnab, Group People, Recruitment & Talent Manager – Lime Wood & The Pigs

What does IWD mean to you?  

It’s fabulous to be part of this day to join in the celebration of the success of women, but it’s a reminder that the fight for equality isn’t over.  I like to read historical books about women, I love to think how proud (and maybe shocked), women of the past would be to know where we are now and that their efforts were worth it.

Why haven't we achieved equality, despite legislation in place regarding pay? 

Many companies have a good pay balance pound for pound, but there’s so much more to address than pay. Women still maintain the primary care giver roles domestically; this without doubt effects their career opportunities. There is a significant gap in terms of support the government provides between the period of maternity leave and the point at which child care is subsidised.  After 9 months maternity leave, most women are without pay, but subsidised child care doesn’t come in until children are 3 years old.  This means women are more likely to have to take part time work or not work at all for a period of time, leaving them at a disadvantage in remaining competitive in the employment market.  At one point before my child was 3, I was paying more for childcare than for our mortgage, but I ‘chose’ this to keep my career.  I know brilliant women who have lost their hard-earned careers over this ‘choice’.  Some may argue it’s a woman’s choice to have a child, but when a man chooses to become a parent this most often has little effect on his career. 

 Importantly it’s not just pay that is the issue, women are losing out over their lifetimes on pension contributions and the ability to save by having to take part time roles or periods of unemployment to provide domestic care (which is not just about children). This savings shortfall, plus the need to fund a longer retirement, because women live longer than men, on average, is a much wider issue of gender inequality.

How would you advise young women leaders on how to build confidence in their ability as a manager and leader?

Be true to yourself, don’t try to be like anyone else. You’re on this trajectory because you’ve already demonstrated to someone what you’re capable of.  Proving yourself as a manager and leader doesn’t mean being the one shouting the loudest, but when it matters to you, insist your opinion is heard.  Most importantly never be afraid to ask for help, just because you’re in a management role doesn’t mean you have to know everything, asking for help and guidance is where true growth comes from. 

What initiatives should companies invest in to promote women in leadership and an inclusive workplace? 

It’s all about culture, work places that look to promote women in leadership must allow themselves to have a truly flexible culture.  You should look to say yes to the right person first and then ask how can we make this role fit for them.

Is there a particular leader / figure you look up to? 

Jacinda Arden – Prime Minister of New Zealand. Not only was she the world’s youngest female head of Government but also gave birth whilst in office.  She once took her three-month-old baby to a UN meeting in New York.  She’s not afraid of having emotions and feelings but makes the tough decisions when she has to. 

What advice will you give to your younger self?

Slow down, it will all fall into place. You don’t have to be perfect, in fact you won’t get it right when you try and the only person who won’t be happy about it is you. Plus, wear more sun cream, your 40’s something self will thank you for it!