Tuesday 8th March is International Women’s Day, celebrated worldwide to highlight the positive value women bring to the world, their families, and communities. Within Ridge, we’re celebrating the achievements of women and hearing from our influential role models.

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

Ridge is committed to a gender diverse workforce and we are continuing to invest in our female talent. Our journey to date has resulted in:

• Tripling the number of female Partners in the last three years
• Nurturing our female talent through our management structure
• Increasing the general female population at Ridge by 75 in the last 12 months

Career Story: Abby Bartlett, Partner

Abby Bartlett, a Partner in our Sustainability team, shares her career journey from Secretary to Partner, and gives her advice to women looking to progress into leadership roles. Watch below.

The impact of role models at Ridge

There are successful female role models in the wider industry within each of our disciplines, but the biggest impact and inspiration comes from working alongside mentors within our own organisation.

The importance of these role models across all levels at Ridge demonstrate to all, that women can progress their careers and that there is an active awareness of the challenges that can often prevent this.

The percentage of female architects, engineers and professionals in construction has been growing nationally, albeit slowly, so it’s about supporting that growth.

At a minimum: Encouraging the sharing of personal stories; discussing ways to improve awareness; committing to tools to lessen the challenges; and learning to diminish unconscious gender bias. These in turn increase confidence, ambition, and productivity.

International Women’s Day Reading List

Our Gender Impact Working Group has put together this list of essential reading on the topics of gender, women and equality.

Learn more about International Women’s Day, as well as this year’s theme of #BreakTheBias, here: International Women’s Day 2022