Lendlease named one of The Times top 50 employers for gender equality 2023

The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality is the UK’s most highly profiled and well-established listing of employers taking action and making gender equality part of their business strategy at all levels. While progress has been made, gender inequalities are still very prevalent in UK workplaces today, especially in times of economic disruption, such as the aftermath of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.  

Business in the Community (BITC) has been running The Times Top 50 for 13 years, and this year, received more applications than ever before, with a significant number of new organisations appearing on the list. The name of the list, previously The Times Top 50 Employers for Women, has been updated this year to better reflect that addressing gender equality in the workplace requires achieving equality for all, and requires engagement from everyone. BITC gender equality work focuses on equality for all genders and those who do not identify as a gender.  

This year’s applicants were assessed on the work they do to remove gender inequalities in the workplace, from flexible working and family friendly policies to pay, reward, and progression at work. All applicants submitted a case study alongside their application, evaluating their approach and impact in the field of gender equality.  

Some of the initiatives and programmes Lendlease has implemented to improve gender equity in the business include:

• Setting targets for an equitable workforce and increasing representation at the most senior levels  
• Flexible working ethos, empowering employees to have conversations with managers about their flexibility needs 
• Training and development programmes, both regionally and globally, to support the development of female talent 
• A wellbeing offer, including access to menopause consultations through healthcare provider BUPA 
• Progressive family leave policies, including access to 26 weeks paid Shared Parental Leave 
• A returners programme, supporting candidates who have had a career break to safely re-enter the workplace. 

John Clark, Chief Financial Officer, and Executive Sponsor of the Gender Equity Network at Lendlease said: “Gender equity is a key component of our strategy. Not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because diverse organisations outperform their competitors.  We have been striving for gender equity for many years and so can be extremely proud of the initiatives and programmes we have in place to create an inclusive Lendlease.”  

Charlotte Woodworth, Gender Equality Director at Business in the Community said: “Whilst companies such as Lendlease are doing a brilliant job at reducing gender inequalities in the workplace, it is evident that there is far more work to be done. There are still too many employees who face barriers in the workplace, from pay gaps to caring responsibilities. The cost-of-living crisis, following the pandemic has made these inequalities even more noticeable.

“It is encouraging to see that this year, we have seen the highest number of applications to the Times Top 50 compared to any year so far. Lendlease’s being recognised as a Times Top 50 employer for gender equality shows that it is committed to addressing gender inequalities in the workplace so that once and for all, inequalities in the workplace can be a thing of the past.”

Mary Macleod, Chief Executive at Business in the Community said: “We know that when women succeed, the UK succeeds, enabling our communities and planet to thrive. Lendlease is one of the companies leading the way in building a culture where women can reach their full potential by showing real commitment to addressing gender inequalities in the workplace.”

More information can be found on the Times top 50 employers for gender equality here: https://www.bitc.org.uk/the-times-top-50-employers-for-gender-equality-2023/

ENDS