Female Leaders - IWD2022 - Eva Mount

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, Krishnan interviews Eva Mount, General Manager - The Guardsman Hotel.

What does IWD mean to you? 

International Women's Day in some ways is a day to reflect and support action against gender inequality worldwide. Its extraordinary to think that women’s rights have improved so much in the last 100 years when you consider prior to 1882 women had no right to property in the UK; gained the right to vote in 1918 for women over the age of 30; equality with men to vote until 1928 that’s only ninety-four years ago. Women in effect were their husband’s property in the UK with no right to have a bank account, own their own property and had no guardianship rights to their own children until the 20th century. Unless everyone keeps striving for equality the last remaining hidden inequalities will remain. 

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

Sadly, there are many inequalities that remain, whilst some organisations may appear to comply with legislation their key people don’t fundamentally agree with equal rights and women quite often leave these organisations.   Choosing to work within an organisation where they feel valued for their abilities first and foremost which may well mean they don’t ever achieve their full potential. 

How would you advise young women leaders on how to build confidence in their ability as a manager and leader? Ensure the culture of the organisation you work for breeds equality, once you feel comfortable in the environment you work for confidence grows and in time your results will prove your ability to be a great manager and leader.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders? 

Promote equality within your workplace, everyone should be able to have a work life balance, sadly this is one of the reasons women don’t achieve their potential and this is the only way that the status quo will change. 

What initiatives should companies invest in to promote women in leadership?  

Equality in all aspects of the organisation is vital.  Training and development are incredibly important along with a strong culture of inclusiveness in all areas including the recruitment and succession planning which need to be based on abilities.

Is there a particular leader you look up to? 

Jacinda Arden - The PM of New Zealand who has always shown empathy and humility in her leadership despite having to deal with so many difficulties during her time in parliament.

What advice will you give to your younger self?   

Bias will continue for as long as it is accepted so stand up for what you believe in and then let it go.   One aspect of being in a predominately male arena is that I have become very self-aware and consider how I come across far more than my male counterparts are likely to which has at times led to unnecessarily worry.

Do women in our sector have a hard time getting promoted?  

Whilst women don't have an equal share of the top jobs in hotels there are far more female GM’s than when I started out, many women leave the business due to the lack of work life balance. This is where the focus needs to be moving forward a balance for all so everyone feels they can continue to do the jobs they love.  The best hotel companies are those where you will find most of the female GM’s.

If you could choose one recommendation for HR leaders to help promote women in the workplace, what would it be? 

Actively encourage work life balance for all employees.

How are you paying it forward? 

By encouraging an unbiased culture, fairness within the recruitment and selection process and discouraging any bias however it is displayed whether conscious or unconscious.   It is acceptable for men to be reminded they are just as capable of taking minutes and making tea than anyone else and I positively encourage it!