We believe that having a diverse organisation improves culture and overall performance.
Gentoo has made significant strides in improving gender diversity at Board and Leadership level and, as one of the largest employers in Sunderland, almost 50% of our workforce is female. We are celebrating International Women’s Day by recognising the contributions of all women who give their best at Gentoo every day to provide services to the Group’s 60,000 tenants.
Last year, the Group appointed its first female Chair, Emily Cox MBE. Emily has served on Gentoo’s Board for three years and is Group Head of Colleague Relations and Policy as well as Group Ambassador for the North at Lloyds Banking Group.
More than half of Gentoo’s Senior Leadership are female and this gender diversity, combined with the diversity of thought and experience of the Senior Leadership Team has resulted in a high performing team, working together collectively to deliver the Group’s core purpose of safe and decent homes for tenants.
Louise Bassett, Interim Chief Executive of Gentoo Group said: “I am extremely proud to lead a housing association that is committed to diversity and inclusion.
“We have extraordinary men and women working together across the business, who value the difference they make collectively and as individuals. Having diverse colleagues is essential to delivering our vision of providing great homes, strong communities, and inspired people.”
At Gentoo, equality, diversity, and inclusion is about valuing and respecting each other as individuals and creating a work environment where people feel comfortable being themselves.
Emily Cox, Chair of the Gentoo Group Board said: “A diverse Board brings diversity of thought, and this is essential to the effectiveness of Gentoo’s Board. Gender diversity has improved significantly over the past few years, and I am proud to be the Chair of a Board with 70% female representation.
“Equality, diversity, and inclusion will continue to be a key priority for Gentoo. We recognise the value women bring to the workplace and how important it is that we attract and retain women in Social Housing.”
Gentoo is committed to this year’s International Women's Day theme of embracing equity and creating a working environment which supports this.
International Women’s Day is celebrated every 8 March as a way to recognise women’s achievements and to promote equal opportunities. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity, a campaign to raise awareness about the meaning of equity and how we all play an important role in promoting it.
