LEADERSHIP Leanne Harwood, IHG Hotels and Resorts
THE BIAS TO MARK INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY IN MARCH, RUTH HOGAN SPOKE TO SEVERAL LEADERS IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY ABOUT THEIR OWN CAREER JOURNEYS, ADVICE FOR THOSE STARTING OUT, AND THEIR VIEWS ON HOW TO PROMOTE GENDER EQUITY.
SHAIZEEN CONTRACTOR
LEANNE HARWOOD
When I first started my career in hospitality and revenue management, I would often see surprise from my colleagues when I was introduced as the Revenue lead for the business. An automatic reaction, expecting a man to manage the numbers and not a woman. It didn’t take long however for them to realise that I was capable and had the credentials to do the job and I rarely got resistance then after. I have always been offered career opportunities – not because of my gender but because my leaders believed that I was the best person for the role. Having two kids and juggling a complex role that involves travel has never been easy, but I have always had the support of the company I worked for and the support of my leaders. My role as a female leader is to help other female team members achieve their full potential, assist them in building their own confidence and show them that they do not have to make a choice between “working” or “staying at home”.
Freeing the world of bias, stereotypes and discrimination should be the focus of every one of us, every day. What’s needed is real conversations, real action and real change – “deeds not words”. Our industry is not perfect, but we have made great strides. The pay gap in the Accommodation and Food Service Sector is 6%. While that’s an improvement from 13% just a year ago, females make up 53% of the workforce so clearly the story should be vastly better. The [Accommodation] Association’s big call out this year is to ensure that the face of our sector is more representative of those working in it and the wider community. Our Panel Pledge captures our determination to have more representative conversations and conferences – an all-in approach and an ever-vigilant lens to make sure that we are all actively promoting and supporting those who haven’t traditionally had the privilege of the spotlight. It might be uncomfortable at times to challenge the status quo but we are proud to issue the challenge of inclusion and diversity as a starting point.
Senior Commercial Director, Australasia, Hilton Hotels
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HM The Business of Accommodation
SVP Managing Director – JAPAC, IHG Hotels and Resorts President, Accommodation Association
