Celebrating the Woman to Watch and Role Models for Inclusion Index 2021
The MBS Group and WiHTL have partnered to launch the 2021 Index for ‘Women to Watch & Role Models for Inclusion in Hospitality, Travel & Leisure’.
The Index highlights the line up of talented female role models with broad experiences and achievements whilst also profiling inspiring role models for inclusion.
The Index spotlights the profiles of dozens of women distinguished for their commercial and operational excellence, industry and social impact, achievements, resilience and commitment to the industry.
This year, the Index featured a new category featuring 14 ‘Role Models for Inclusion’ in the industry. These are for individuals who are working hard to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging within their organisations. These include those who might have been a vocal champion for an aspect of diversity and inclusion. The role models are any gender, from any level and function.
Nominations for the Women to Watch & Role Models for Inclusion in HTL Index 2021 for the ‘Women to Watch’ category were sought for women who stand out from their peer groups and excel in leadership, commercial impact, entrepreneurialism and innovation and of course, wider contribution to the sector or society.
This is the third edition of this prestigious and celebrated award and was this year, hosted virtually. The full version of 2021 Index can be downloaded here.
Research by WiHTL (produced in partnership with The MBS Group) found that overall – and despite the pandemic – the sector was still continuing to make positive progress towards increasing gender diversity at senior levels. It was found that the business imperative and competitive advantage from realising women’s and all underrepresented groups’ potential remain strong.
Tea Colaianni, Founder and Chair of WiHTL, said: “For the third year since it was first launched, this year’s Index highlights the phenomenal female talent pool and role models for inclusion we have in the Hospitality, Travel and Leisure industry. I am proud to share the success stories of the women featured who have achieved leadership, entrepreneurial, and commercial success whilst the role models for inclusion have made a wider contribution to their organisation in furthering inclusion and belonging.”
She continued, “The conversations have been invigorating, colourful and inspiring. My hope is that these stories will encourage the next generation of talent to enter and progress within this exciting and inclusive sector.”
At the virtual launch event, industry leaders spoke up about why they believe profiling female leaders and role models for inclusion in the industry is important.
Nick Mackenzie CEO Greene King said “It is so important we take time out to recognise and celebrate our sector’s role models and I want to congratulate everyone in this year’s Women to Watch and Role Models for Inclusion. Highlighting their achievements will inspire more people in our industry – not just those in a position to support positive change, but the next generation to achieve their full potential.”
Debbie Hewitt MBE said “This is an extraordinary group of women and their inclusion in this index is so richly deserved. Not only are they inspiring other colleagues in our sector through their remarkable leadership, they are also powerful role models, attracting talented individuals into our sector. It’s a privilege for me to have shared some of their journeys first hand and I’m excited to get to know this wider group and to see each of their careers develop.”
Sam Seigler, Director – Hospitality, Travel & Leisure at the MBS Group commented, “We first launched this project in 2019 to celebrate women in the sector and to encourage conversations around the importance of diversity and inclusion. Since that time, we are proud to have highlighted more than 250 women across three indexes – hearing stories from a diverse range of individuals from across our industry.”
Access the full version of 2021 Index here.
