The list features organisations from a range of spheres including professional services, legal, engineering, technical, military and media.
Sarah Churchman, PwC’s head of diversity and engagement said PwC’s place in the list reflected the power of the firm’s networking and talent programmes to foster female talent in the workplace and encourage greater diversity:
“Networking groups and dedicated talent pipeline programmes such as our Women’s Leadership Programme have a real impact on the performance of the whole firm.
“Women feel supported and develop their networks and skills and they see visible role models; with this comes confidence to ask for what they want, share their ideas and to aspire to where they want to go. And of course the boon is that we get a wider range of viewpoints among our people, which leads to innovative thinking.
Sarah said the firm’s recent introduction of new-look bias awareness training was further evidence of the firm’s approach to dispel stereotypes and encourage diverse thinking in the workplace.
“Our new training holds the mirror up to people and challenges views about all sorts of diversity and prejudice; people who might not have thought they were biased towards particular individuals or situations have been quite surprised by their own reactions in the training. All of this is part of creating an open minded and diverse workplace for men and women.”
Opportunity Now, the workplace gender equality campaign, managed the judging process. Helen Wells, Director of Opportunity Now the workplace gender equality campaign said:
“The business imperative of equality and diversity has never been stronger nor the need greater. PwC should be congratulated for its commitment, dedication and tenacity to creating a work culture which is inclusive and diverse. Being one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Women is testament to how seriously the company has looked to address the recruitment, retention and progression of women through its organisation. I firmly believe that creating workplaces which tap into the talents of both men and women is vital for competitive advantage. At PwC it is clearly seen as a commercial priority not a women’s issue.”
