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The arts centre, which has equal numbers of male and female managers, has been included in ‘The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2015’.

Photo of the Southbank Centre
Photo: 

Donald Judge (CC BY 2.0)

London’s Southbank Centre is the only arts organisation to be named in The Times newspaper’s list of the top 50 employers for women. The list is compiled through a comprehensive application process, managed by Opportunity Now, the workplace gender campaign from Business in the Community.

There are equal numbers of women and men working in management positions at the Southbank Centre. Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of Southbank Centre, said: “We believe we can only deliver art for everyone if we reflect the world we live in.” To make the grade, Southbank Centre had to prove that gender equality is a key part of its business strategy and demonstrate a commitment to progressing women, both internally and externally. A key part of its application was WOW, Southbank’s Women of the World festival. It also cites its future talent team, which offers apprenticeships, courses and mentoring programmes to people from diverse backgrounds, as well as leadership training and mentoring for employees.

Kelly continued: “Women at Southbank Centre are automatically encouraged to develop their skills and take up leadership positions… Now we want to go beyond this. This year we have offered apprenticeships to equip women to take traditionally male roles such as Technical Production and courses, including our Bring out Potential scheme for visitor experience hosts, to help people from all backgrounds carve out individual careers in the arts.”

Author(s): 
A photo of Frances Richens