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So says Gill Whitty-Collins, renowned author, member of numerous Boards, ex Senior VP of Procter & Gamble’s Beauty business and Gender Equality Expert.

On Monday 8^th March, DSG’s Co-Founder Heidi Heseltine held a live interview and open Q&A session with Gill to mark International Women’s Day.

During this lively, informative and interactive event, we gained insight into the challenges affecting men and women in the workplace and how to overcome them, understood the power of inclusive leadership and learnt how to hire for diversity, in addition to many other topics relevant to the shipping industry.

You can watch the interview at https://youtu.be/BXuHKfZ7FxM

If you have any questions, or would like further information on the Diversity Study Group, please contact the DSG via info@diversitystudygroup.com or on +44 (0) 20 3746 3760.

 

Preliminary results from Diversity Study Group survey highlights gender disparity
at management level and need for progress on pay gap and workplace culture

Call for more shipping professionals to complete the survey

20 May 2020 – The first results from a groundbreaking new study into diversity and inclusion in shipping reveal the progress still to be made, particularly in gender balance, pay gap and workplace environments, but also signs of progress, including a growing female talent pool.

The survey, conducted by the Diversity Study Group, aims to act as a barometer for diversity and inclusion across the shipping industry. By collecting data on the true state of shipping’s diversity picture, it aims to highlight where further work is needed and champion the benefits of diversity.

The results show a stark disparity in gender balance. Strikingly, 95% of respondents working in senior management roles are male. This lack of female representation in senior management is very high, even by comparison with other economic sectors.

The results also show a lack of ethnic diversity at C-suite, director and head of department level, with respondents identifying as white comprising by far the largest proportion of these roles.

Gender imbalance is less pronounced in other roles and levels of seniority. 34% of respondents in commercial roles are female and 51% of female respondents described themselves as working in ‘mid-level roles’. It is also notable that 42% of female respondents are aged 25-34. This could indicate a growing pool of female talent for more senior roles, provided there is a pathway to further progression. On this point, it is encouraging to see something approaching parity among respondents who received a promotion in the past 12 months (47% female and 50% male).

When to comes to salaries and bonuses, 61% of respondents reported a salary increase in the past 12 months. Of this 61%, 49% are male and 46% are female. This gap widens when we look at the size of the increase; of those reporting a pay rise of 2-4%, 56% are male and 41% are female. There is also a significant gender disparity in the award of bonuses. Of those reporting a bonus, 55% are male and 41% are female. Moreover, the survey results reveal further inequality in the size of the bonus, with a higher proportion of male employees receiving larger amounts.

Participating companies spanned a range of industry sectors, organizational types and locations, but with strong representation from the ship owning and trading sectors.

Commenting on the initial findings from the survey, Heidi Heseltine, Co-Founder of the Diversity Study Group, commented:

“The picture that emerges from the survey is mixed. There is a stark lack of diversity at shipping’s top table, when it comes to the profile of those in C-suite and senior management roles. There are big differences between male and female responses when describing their working environment. By a margin of 2:1, women feel less able to raise discrimination concerns, feel less valued for their contribution and feel they lack a supporting peer group at work.  This goes to the heart of how diversity and inclusion affects workplace culture and the progress still to be made.

“The survey also shows some positive trends in our industry and we want to recognise progress and share best practice. For example, 61% of respondents said their employer has a D&I policy, which is a decent starting point. When it comes to gender imbalance, it is encouraging to see the number of women in the industry, with a significant number of younger women and in mid-level roles. The challenge for shipping is to ensure that there is no glass ceiling when it comes to reaching more senior roles and that they are rewarded fairly for the jobs they are doing today.”

The survey remains open and the Diversity Study group is encouraging anyone who works in the shipping industry in a shore-based role to participate.  Heidi Heseltine added:

“We’re grateful to everyone that has taken part in the survey so far. All these companies and individuals have shown a willingness to be part of the solution for improving shipping’s track record on diversity and reaping the benefits of a more diverse, inclusive workplaces.  However, we need more data to measure the progress that we are making as an industry. All submissions are strictly confidential so if you haven’t completed the survey yet, please do take part.”

If you work in the shipping industry and would like to participate in the survey, please click here.

For more information on the benefits of membership of the Diversity Study Group, please contact the DSG via info@diversitystudygroup.com or on +44 (0) 20 3746 3760.

“If we identified and embraced diversity and inclusion sooner, one can only begin to imagine how much more advanced our industry could be.” Heidi Heseltine, Co-Founder, Diversity Study Group

The Diversity Study Group, the first ever survey and study to explore levels of diversity and inclusion across the shipping industry, issued a rallying call for greater diversity and inclusion during a lively panel discussion hosted during London International Shipping Week (LISW). 

Addressing a packed room of industry executives, Heidi Heseltine, Co-Founder of the Diversity Study Group, chaired the debate ‘Diversity in Shipping – why now?’. The discussion spanned a wide range of topics, including the importance of timely and meaningful action on diversity and inclusion, the significance of the sector’s current emphasis on gender diversity, and shipping’s readiness to attract and retain a diverse talent pool. 

Held at the offices of Watson Farley & Williams, the debate included input from panellists Jenny Barrow, a diversity and inclusion consultant, Mark Stokes, director, BLUE Communications, Holly McLauren, HR Business Partner at Peninsula Petroleum, and Aideen O’Driscoll, Director, Human Resources at Ardmore Shipping Corporation.

Commenting on the debate and its takeaways, Heidi Heseltine said:

“It was hugely encouraging to host such a well-attended and dynamic debate on diversity and inclusion in shipping industry. We strongly believe diversity presents a huge opportunity for shipping. When implemented in the right way, with performance measured by accurate data and clearly defined benchmarks, the evidence is clear: greater diversity will lead to a much more innovative and profitable future for the shipping industry. 

“However, we must not underestimate the challenge ahead or the time that it will take to deliver meaningful change. The shipping industry is at the beginning of its diversity and inclusion journey. This is a process that will take considerable time, as well as careful measurement and management. All support for this important cause is welcome but good intentions are not enough. Real action requires clear, well thought-through company policies and processes. The Diversity Study Group is here to support organisations that want to take these next steps.”

The LISW event followed the widely welcomed launch in July of the Diversity Study Group, a study which will provide members with detailed analysis of global diversity and inclusion statistics for their own organisations and allow them to benchmark against anonymised data of other participants. Ardmore Shipping and Peninsula Petroleum are among the first organisations to sign up the initiative. 

To discuss how membership of shipping’s first ever study on diversity and inclusion could benefit your business, please get in touch.