Celebrity speaker Theresa May, the former UK prime minister, has urged male bosses to ask themselves what they are doing to make their business one in which their daughter or grand-daughter can progress.
Lady May was attending a conference in Dublin organised by the 30% Club, which encourages a minimum of 30% gender balance at all senior decision-making levels in companies and organisations.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the conference that sustainable finance is very much a consideration for most investors and funds.
“Many funds and companies thinking of investing here want to see progressive and balanced leadership teams, who are taking their responsibilities seriously in terms of protecting the planet too,” said Varadkar.
“It makes sense to ensure that boards and senior leadership teams of companies in Ireland are diverse. Not just because it is the right thing to do as women make up half the population and represent half the skills and talent, but also because it makes economic and business sense.
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“I am here today to support those endeavours and the work of the 30% Club. We have a long way to go to achieve gender equality and we are an unfinished republic until we do,” the Taoiseach added.
Speaking with An Post CEO David McRedmond, May commented: “We must ask what senior leaders are doing to ensure that they are drawing on as broad a range of opinions and experience as possible.
“Part of that must be thinking creatively in terms of recruitment - to not just look at those people who fit a traditional career path, but to open up opportunities to others and so ensure a proper pipeline of talent into the future.”
The 30% Club announced plans to launch a new investor group within the Irish Chapter, consisting of asset management and investment intermediaries.
In the UK, a similar initiative has brought together investors with £11 trillion assets under management to drive change on inclusion and diversity.
Lady May has proved more than equal to her male political counterparts on the celebrity speaker circuit.
A recent investigation by Sky News and Tortoise Media found that May has earned over £2.5 million on top of her official salary from outside engagements and gifts since December 2019, the most of any UK member of parliament.
Sky News reported that May’s earnings are paid to the Office of Theresa May Ltd, which pays her £85,000 per annum.
For Lady May's speaking engagement in Dublin, there was no charge.
None of the speakers at the 30% Club conference in Dublin Castle were paid for their contributions. All participants including Theresa May gave their time and input on a voluntary basis," a spokesperson for the 30% Club Ireland said.
Photo: Theresa May with Leo Varadkar.
