Inspiring inclusion for International Women’s Day 2024

The theme of International Women’s Day this year is Inspiring Inclusion. For us, that means creating an environment that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

To mark IWD 2024, we invited four colleagues from across the firm to share their experiences, achievements and advice, and raise awareness about women’s equality in the workplace.

• Chloe Wishart, solicitor in our corporate and commercial team.
• Roshni Valibhai, associate solicitor in our corporate and commercial team.
• Fiona Mitchell, risk and compliance manager and associate solicitor.
• Katherine Sibley, partner and head of construction law.

What is your proudest achievement as a woman working at Harrison Drury?

Chloe: Qualifying as a solicitor last September, after completing my two-year training contract at the firm. While studying for my undergraduate my professors would talk about the difficulties of getting a training contract, but six years later I became a solicitor in the corporate team at Harrison Drury.

Roshni: Building a career that aligns with my passion and values. I have constantly challenged myself to break barriers and succeed as a working mum in a traditionally male dominated sector.

Fiona: I believe that my standing as a female solicitor has changed the mindset when it comes to compliance, I want to help instil a different culture surrounding compliance, my aim is to show my colleagues that it can be a useful tool.

Katherine: As a partner and head of department with three children I am proud to be a role model for other women in the legal sector, particularly trainees and apprentices who want to have a family and a successful career.

How do you inspire and empower your colleagues around you?

Chloe: I try and encourage colleagues to create networks where we can support each other as we go through our careers.

Roshni: By fostering a culture of collaboration and leading by example. I am lucky to work in a team where everyone’s contributions are valued. By encouraging open communication, you create an inclusive work environment where everyone feels respected.

Fiona: Colleagues come to me when they have a problem, and I empower them by providing the tools, both practically and emotionally, to deal with those issues.

Katherine: I aim to lead through example by showing that gender should not hold you back and that you can achieve your goals.

What does ‘equality’ mean to you?

Chloe: Equality to me means promoting diversity and inclusion. It requires us to create environments where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.

Roshni: Everyone should have access to the same opportunities. To do this we need to recognise the diversity of experiences and perspectives that each person brings.

Fiona: Everyone should have the same opportunities, no matter your background. If you have the ability to do something, you should have the same opportunity as anyone else to achieve that.

Katherine: Equality means equal opportunity. However, we need to remember when considering equality that everyone’s circumstances are different, meaning there is not always a level playing field to start with.

What is the best lesson a woman has taught you?

Roshni: The importance of self-love and self-care. Often women are expected to put everyone’s needs before their own, but it’s important to prioritise your own wellbeing, both physically and mentally, for your overall happiness and success.

Fiona: My mum always said: ‘what is for you won’t go past you’. We spend a lot of time overthinking the small things, but I like to think of that when I am overwhelmed, and it comforts me to know that the right things will come my way.

Katherine: Don’t compare yourself to other people. Don’t judge, be kind and don’t forget to make time for yourself.

Which real life women inspire you and why?

Chloe: It would have to be my two sisters. We were all the first generation in our family to go to university and we all worked hard to make sure we made the most of it.

Roshni: My mum has always demonstrated that it’s possible to overcome challenges with grace and strength, which inspired me to approach obstacles with a positive mindset and to keep pushing forward.

Fiona: My friend was diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant with her third baby and has had to endure chemotherapy and surgery while looking after a newborn and two young children. The resilience she has shown continues to amaze and inspire me.

Katherine: I am inspired by my mum who relocated to Cumbria with three young children and then did a teaching degree obtaining first-class honours and went on to be a successful primary school teacher without a family support network around her. She worked (and continues to work) tirelessly as both a mother and a teacher helping everyone around her.

What does Inspiring Inclusion mean to you and how can we achieve it?

Fiona: Promotion of inclusion should be instilled from an early age, inspiring schools to ensure equality is shown to all children will lead to it being accepted as the norm, rather than a discussion point.

Chloe: It means recognising and celebrating the diversity of the workforce and the achievements of individuals from underrepresented groups.

Roshni: Actively working to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered, and celebrating and embracing diversity in all forms to create a space where everyone feels represented and supported.

Katherine: It means encouraging society to be inclusive of everyone regardless of gender, gender diversity, race, disability and sex – we do this by leading by example.

If you could go back and give your younger self some advice around equality and inclusion, what would it be?

Kath: Don’t be afraid to push your career and demand equality with male colleagues, particularly in terms of pay and role.

Roshni: To embrace my identity as a Muslim woman with pride. When I was younger, I was shy and wanted to fit in. Now, I remind myself to be unapologetically authentic in embracing my identity and to never compromise on my values or beliefs.

Fiona: There are more people out there that do it right than do it wrong, and the ones that do it wrong need to be educated – you can be part of the change rather than watch it happen.

What more needs to be done to invest in women and inspire inclusion?

Chloe: We need to promote cultural and social norms that value and respect women’s rights and contributions, and be more open to address bias, discrimination and harassment.

Roshni: The gender pay gap has improved drastically but we need to continue to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work and addressing any disparities. We also need to provide leadership opportunities to ensure women are represented in leadership roles.

Fiona: I believe in investing in the women of our future, allowing them to challenge what they see as unequal, and giving them the confidence to believe they can do anything they put their minds to – making inspiring women visible to our younger generation, will make more inspiring women!

Kath: We need to lead by example by promoting women fairly and by mentoring junior staff to ensure equal opportunities at every career stage.