Gender diversity at Westfield Australia
A part of Westfield’s global diversity agenda, the Group recently established a female executive networking group Connect, in recognition of research which suggests organisations that respect and value gender diversity are better able to attract and retain high performers and improve operational performance.
From the beginning of employment chain Westfield is looking at ways to ensure greater diversity in its workplace. The Group works with recruitment agencies to access a diverse candidate pool from which to draw new recruits.
Existing management is also encouraged to identify high performance female employees in their teams, ensuring that investment plans are in place for future succession. Those employees are supported in training and development, as well as mentoring and advocacy.
In establishing Connect, Westfield has sought to provide targeted development of leadership capabilities for senior female executives. The forum has also begun to contribute to a ready pool of female talent available to assume leadership positions as required.
Since its formation Connect now has around 50 members from the corporate and operational divisions of the business, and has expanded to encompass Westfield New Zealand. Membership was generated by invitation with selected applicants demonstrating their management support, relevance to their own professional development plans and their ability to support and contribute to the development of other female leaders.
Connect’s curriculum during 2012 included resilience; business leadership; mentoring and coaching; and networking. This will expand in future to include a focus on further developing leadership potential and behaviours within the group, as well as targeting areas within the business where there are fewer senior female leaders.
Connect is steered by a committee whose mandate is to lead the planning and oversight of the forum’s initiatives, ensuring they are consistent with Westfield’s Global Diversity Strategy. The Steering Committee role also ensures a quality of deliverables as well as providing avenues for feedback and communication to the broader business on recommendations and outcomes associated with Connect activities.