Arriva helps women gear up for their career journey

European transport operator Arriva is the latest partner to join An Inspirational Journey, which works to increase the number of women working at the senior corporate level in UK business and industry.

Arriva has signed up 28 women from the group who have been identified as having potential to be future business leaders to An Inspirational Journey’s Pearls programme.

The Pearls programme is an initiative that already reaches out to more than 4,000 women from a multitude of sectors and regions across the UK, who have been identified as future business leaders. The programme focuses on building confidence, recognising capabilities and developing contacts, while providing control and choice.

Public transport in the UK has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, but Arriva believes that attracting, retaining and developing a more balanced and diverse cross-section of employees provides a richer pool of talent from which future leaders can be drawn.

Alison O’Connor, Arriva’s group HR director, said: “At Arriva, the solution to more balanced gender representation in leadership roles is not about setting quotas and targets but encouraging and offering the right opportunities to grow and develop employees.

“We believe that The Pearls initiative fits well with our approach to equipping current and future high-potential leaders with the tools, skills and experience for progression to more senior roles. The tailored Pearls initiative will complement our own development programmes, widening peer-networks to other women who may have shared experience, aspirations and challenges.”

Heather Jackson, founder of The Pearls and An Inspirational Journey, said: “It is great news that Arriva has come on board. By identifying and highlighting these women as future business leaders, Arriva is helping to lead the way in its sector, ensuring they have the skills, qualities and support they need.

“The public transport industry is traditionally male dominated but has some fantastic female role models. It’s important that the industry recognises that helping people meet their potential is a business – not a gender – issue and take action as soon as possible to ensure they are attracting the best talent, regardless of gender.

“Studies show that a more gender-balanced workforce delivers financial and performance benefits, which ultimately boosts the wider business economy. The Pearls works with companies to recognise, support and develop the talented women they have.

“I hope that this announcement encourages more organisations within this sector, and other male-dominated sectors, to acknowledge the importance in retaining and cultivating their female talent.”

Other companies involved in this initiative include Royal Bank of Scotland, Ernst & Young, BT, National Australia Group, Grant Thornton, Asda, DLA Piper, Pinsent Masons, Eversheds, Morrisons, Northumbrian Water, Yorkshire Water, Walker Morris, Angel Trains, Coutts and Atkins.