Author: Dr. Terri Simpkin, Portman Partners Associate
As 2019 drew to a close, Portman Partners hosted a focus group attended by a representative group of women from the Digital Infrastructure (DI) sector. “Balance in the Boardroom” was facilitated by Portman Associate Dr. Terri Simpkin who captured the lived experience of women from a range of organisations and occupations to explore their view of diversity and inclusion as seen and experienced in industry. The subsequent research findings were compiled, analysed and written up for publication.
In 2020 and 2021, Portman presented additional Balance in the Boardroom events targeted to audiences in EMEA, APAC and North America. This follow-up white paper aims to briefly identify possible resolutions to the reported barriers to inclusion in the DI sector as reported by women. It is not intended to be, nor could it be a comprehensive ‘how to’ manual of inclusion. However, it does aim to provide some indications of ‘what good looks like’. The work is not only aimed at resolving the prevailing gender imbalance in the industry but seeks to illustrate ways in which the inclusion of underrepresented groups can be improved across the DI sector. The initiatives, activities and underpinning philosophical approaches explored here may provide a solid foundation for other, more specific, inclusion agenda imperatives.
For the full white paper from Terri Simpkin, follow this link