Meet The Finalists: Diversity Award
With diversity at the core of its operation, Red Funnel Ferries continues its quest to shine a spotlight on this central issue by sponsoring the Diversity Award at the first ever Maritime UK Awards.
Red Funnel is the original Isle of Wight ferry service operating over 35
ferries to the island every day from Southampton and has won acclaim for its
role in developing an inclusive business.
Open to a business, charity or organisation of any size, the winner will be able to demonstrate true commitment to diversity. They will be able to evidence their work to create a diverse workforce including through collaborating with other businesses, charities and organisations to share best practice
The winners will be announced in front of 400 of the industry’s finest at a glittering ceremony at Southampton’s Leonardo Royal Hotel on Thursday 19 September during the Southampton International Boat Show.
Commenting on the sponsorship of the Diversity Award, Red Funnel CEO, Fran Collins said: “At Red Funnel, we know that improving diversity is key to achieving equality and fairness within the workplace. In today’s working environment, inclusion and diversity are fundamental to our culture and core values. Equal opportunities should be available to everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, belief, sexual orientation, family status or disability.
“We have been working hard ourselves to set an example, and most recently we changed our logo on Red Falcon to reflect the iconic Pride flag colours in support of two local Pride events either side of the Solent. It’s a reminder that it is vital to ensure that our workplace is a safe, positive, and nurturing environment for everyone. By sponsoring the Diversity Award, we are keen for businesses, organisations and charities to come forward and demonstrate their commitment to diversity in the workplace.”
Highly respected experts from a variety of businesses and government departments were involved in the panel and judge Iain Lower, Head of Naval Staff at the Royal Navy, said: “The standard of entrants surpassed our wildest expectations both in terms of quality and numbers. More than anything it shows the UK maritime sector, which adds £37.4bn to the UK economy and supports just under 1 million jobs, is bursting with energy and innovation and is proud of its achievements.”
Shortlisted
for the diversity award are three strong entries: Spinnaker
Global, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and BAE Systems plc
Leading recruitment consultants, Spinnaker Global works for the world’s leading shipping employers. Highlighted in its credentials, Spinnaker’s Maritime HR Association data calculates and tracks the gender pay gap in maritime. The organsiation hosts events with industry partners (e.g. WISTA, Clyde & Co) to showcase results supporting maritime CEOs and HR professionals to reduce the gap within their businesses.
Association members receive a full report showcasing global Gender Diversity information. Spinnaker Global’s MD also leads the Women in Maritime taskforce Total Package workstream. These statistics have been published in the international press, global industry press and through international governing bodies, highlighting the issue to a wide audience. In 2017 the company introduced ‘Diversity and Ability’ to the maritime world and work in partnership promoting their area of specialism.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a Merchant Navy organisation that is made up of civilian-crewed ships operated by the Ministry of Defence. In its submission, the RFA highlights its pride in its diverse heritage and is fully committed to providing a fully inclusive workspace.
The Commodore in charge of the service is the Race Advocate for the Naval Service, supporting the different race networks within the service, including holding regular meetings with the chairs to quickly ascertain where he can bolster support to them. The RFA has a very progressive attitude to the employment of females at sea, first employing them in 1996 they have grown to seven per cent of the work force and we encourage increasing this number through positive recruitment. The RFA has also recently introduced a network for its LGBT+ personnel, this offers support and a safe haven for people to talk through their issue.
BAE Systems plc is a multinational defence, security, and aerospace company with operations worldwide. In its submission BAE outlines that it has developed a process which mines the untapped market of people with skills and experience which the sector is desperately lacking.
It explains that CVs are often automatically scanned and rejected through the usual routes in recruitment. This means that opportunities to return to work after a career break are severely limited. It argues that initiatives like the Returners Programme don’t just bring in more females into the maritime industry; they can - and do - really change a number of “traditional managers’” perceptions of an engineering career.
BAE Systems plc is a multinational defence, security, and aerospace company with operations worldwide. In its submission BAE outlines that it has developed a process which mines the untapped market of people with skills and experience which the sector is desperately lacking. It explains that CVs are often automatically scanned and rejected through the usual routes in recruitment. This means that opportunities to return to work after a career break are severely limited. It argues that initiatives like the Returners Programme don’t just bring in more females into the maritime industry; they can - and do - really change a number of “traditional managers’” perceptions of an engineering career. BAE is committed to bringing back to full time work high calibre engineers that may work part time, may have had a career break, or may have left STEM altogether. This commitment is breaking the mold of unconscious bias that has plagued the sector.
Harry
Theochari, Chair of Maritime UK, said: “What’s important about the Maritime UK
Awards is they’re very much about showcasing the entire spectrum of maritime
businesses, from consumer marine and cruising to advanced manufacturing and
commercial shipping. I’m delighted to report that the entries very much bear
this out. Throughout this process we’ve discovered world-class British
products, services and initiatives that we didn’t previously have on our radar.
That’s the real prize from these awards.”
Ben Murray, director at Maritime UK, said: “With the number and quality of the entries being so high the judges had the unenviable task of arriving at the shortlists. I think they’ve done a terrific job so huge thanks to everyone. I would also like to thank all the entrants for their enterprise, commitment and enthusiasm. Their support has been invaluable.”
The Maritime UK Awards are the first truly national maritime awards in the UK, organised by industry, for the benefit of industry. The inaugural event will take place in Southampton on 19th September, following a successful drive from Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for the first awards ceremony to be held in the Solent.
To buy tickets to the awards evening visit the official website. All attendees will receive a free ticket to the Southampton International Boat Show, powered by Borrow A Boat, on purchase of their awards evening ticket.