Latest news with #femaleleadership
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Guernsey Election 2025: Eleven women elected to States
The number of female deputies in the States of Guernsey is rising by three, from eight in the current assembly to Lindsay de Sausmarez and Yvonne Burford topped the polls, with Sasha Kazantseva-Miller and Tina Bury coming in the top Andrea Dudley-Owen, Sue Aldwell and Victoria Oliver lost their made up 33% of candidates this year, compared to 24% in 2020. Outside the top 10, first-time candidate Sally Rochester came in was followed by Jennifer Strachan, Munazza Malik, Jayne Ozanne and Haley Camp, who are all new to the Humphreys, another new candidate and member of the Forward Guernsey party, and former deputy Sarah Hansmann Rouxel were the last two candidates over the line. Deputy Tina Bury was re-elected for a second term, coming eighth."It's great to see so many women at the top and more in the list as a whole. I think it has the potential to change the dynamic of the States."Tom Rylatt, a member of the Forward Guernsey party, was the youngest candidate successful in this said: "I think a States that more broadly reflects our community is one that's better placed to serve our community as well."So I think it's fantastic that we have this diverse melting pot of an assembly now." In 2020, eight women were elected, but the number was higher in 2016, with Green is the Chair of Women in Public Life, who's been credited by some candidates as a driving force behind more women standing for said: "We're heading in the right direction, but we've lost three current female deputies I wasn't expecting."Mr Rylatt said, "Almost no-one has worked harder than Shelaine to increase female representation in the States.""She has made a concerted effort over the last five years."
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
MI6 has appointed its first female leader. What took it so long?
MI6 has never had a female head in its 116-year history – until now. How fitting that the first woman should be called Blaise Metreweli. That forename has it all: derring-do (courtesy of Modesty Blaise), onomatopoeia, modernity. Metreweli will take over in the autumn as C, the real-life version of M from James Bond. She currently runs Q branch, MI6's technology division, which apparently is named after the Bond quartermaster. No fictional Q has ever been female, but in real life at least two women, including Metreweli, are thought to have held the role. M can be male or female, except now they succeed or fail by how much they resemble Judi Dench, so all of them, including the incumbent, Ralph Fiennes, are de facto female. In other words, while there is a strong cultural presumption that the computers bro is indeed a bro, there is no ambient fictional expectation that the head of the Secret Intelligence Service should be male. If it has taken the agency more than a century to tick this particular diversity box, it has only itself to blame. If you squint at it, it could be precisely because of Ian Fleming, via his cinematic legacy, that the real MI6 has been so slow. M is a hard-to-please-parent archetype – Bond seeks M's approval, yet at some critical juncture he always has to disobey M in order to self-actualise, creating a heady cocktail of vexation and admiration that M, being ultimately a smart and patriotic character, manages to choke down in the interests of her majesty (well, his majesty now, but we don't have time for whether or not heads of state are better off male or female). The screen far prefers it when this stern but loving authority figure is a woman – Dench was recently joined by Kristin Scott Thomas, the head of MI5 in Slow Horses, two bookends representing the full range of everyone by whom a spy would want to be told off. In real life, though, it seems an executive decision was made and never revisited until this year: secret agents can't work for their proxy mum; they can accept censure only from their pretend dad. If you look at the professions from which women are typically excluded at the highest levels, the grounds for exclusion are never the same twice – it's almost as if there is no fixed conception of femininity. Tech is notably male-dominated, on the assumption that women aren't going to get it because it's too hard, yet will ruin things by being too serious-minded. Yes, it's hard to square, but it's helpfully distilled in Mountainhead, Jesse Armstrong's latest satire, which features a retreat that abides by the rule 'no meals, no deals, no heels'. Nutrition, commerce and gender diversity would kill the vibe. In politics, wherever it's impossible for a woman to be elected – in the US, it's the top job; in the UK, it's the Labour party – it's usually because she is too 'schoolmarmish'. This is always delivered as a personal critique of an individual woman, as if Hillary Clinton or Harriet Harman had been born under an unlucky star, too close to the blackboard or the severe hairline. The real objection – the MI6-adjacent 'I love women and some of my best friends are women, I just don't like it when they have authority over me' – must remain as unspoken as it is obvious. In boardrooms, women are considered an impediment for the opposite traits: not enough authority, too much amiability, not enough killer instinct, too much human sympathy. Research has shown repeatedly that gender diversity on boards is linked to higher profits, so the determination to exclude women is purely emotional, which is a cute irony, given that it's supposed to be women who mess everything up by being too emotional. I would have way less of a problem with gender-exclusionary workplaces if they would pick a lane and establish exactly what the issue is, between women being too serious and not serious enough, too authoritative and too flaky. Metreweli doubtless rose to the top by ignoring such silliness and powering through; good luck to her. Sign up to The Week in Patriarchy Get Arwa Mahdawi's weekly recap of the most important stories on feminism and sexism and those fighting for equality after newsletter promotion Zoe Williams is a Guardian columnist Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Nationwide boss Debbie Crosbie to be made a Dame in Birthday honours
Nationwide boss Debbie Crosbie said she was left 'hugely proud' of her Glaswegian upbringing after being made a Dame in the King's Birthday Honours. Crosbie, 55, who has led Britain's biggest building society since 2022, hopes it will inspire others to follow her path. 'Lots of people talk about me being a female but I think most of my peer group have come from a much higher social demographic and they tended to be educated in either Oxford or Cambridge,' she said. 'I think having that diverse social mobility as well as gender is really important.' Crosbie, who started at Clydesdale Bank in Scotland, said: 'I am actually hugely proud. I grew up in Glasgow, I wasn't different to any of my peer group, so to be given the opportunity to lead – I've had a massively rewarding career. 'As a woman, I hope that sends a message of opportunity and hope.'
The Guardian
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Palmeiras president Leila Pereira: ‘I fought for this. I hope my fight inspires others'
'People think women are the weaker sex, and we're not. I fight back. If they hit me, I hit back – but much harder. The way I hit back is by continuing to work and by showcasing Palmeiras's work.' Leila Pereira is in full flow as she sits in the Palmeiras president's office in São Paulo. In the 110-year history of a club founded by Italian working-class immigrants, she is the first woman to hold the post. The male dominance of global football is laid bare once again when you look at the lineup for the revamped men's Club World Cup in the United States: of the 32 participating clubs, representing six continents, Pereira is the only female president. 'It brings two emotions,' she says. 'On one hand, I'm thrilled. On the other, I wish there were more women in football. My joy and my hope are that by seeing me in this position, other women are inspired to pursue their own space in football. This didn't fall into my lap. It took years and I had to overcome many challenges to get here. It's no use calling someone an inspiration if you're not prepared to roll up your sleeves and fight for what you want.' Since being elected president in December 2021, Pereira has emerged as one of the most influential figures in Brazilian football – a world still fraught with political manoeuvring behind the scenes. Her reach extends well beyond Palmeiras. Last year she became the first woman to lead the Brazil men's national team delegation, during their European friendlies against Spain and England – a role appointed directly by the Brazilian football confederation's president. While largely symbolic, the appointment underscored her rising influence within the game and in the notoriously political Brazilian confederation. She has never been afraid to show a firm hand – even when it involves a Palmeiras hero. In June last year, Dudu, the club's joint-most decorated player with 12 titles, sought a move to Cruzeiro after struggling for game time following a lengthy recovery from a cruciate ligament injury. Having agreed terms, he then reversed his decision, prompting Pereira to publicly call on him to 'honour his commitment' to the Belo Horizonte club. Although Dudu stayed until December, the situation soured. It culminated in what Pereira described as a departure 'through the back door'. Dudu responded on Instagram with abuse. Pereira feels he would not have responded in the same way to a man. 'Why do you think he acted that way? No doubt, because I'm a woman. He felt free to be rude.' She has filed a lawsuit against him seeking 'no less than R$500,000 [£67,000]' in damages. Within five months, Dudu had joined Cruzeiro's rivals Atlético Mineiro, citing a lack of playing time. A billionaire businesswoman, Pereira was ranked fourth in Forbes' 2023 list of the richest women in Brazil, with a fortune then estimated at R$8bn. But her wealth wasn't made in football. Until 2015, her main focus was chairing a financial company specialising in high-interest personal loans to mainly lower-income individuals, founded by her husband, Roberto Lamacchia, and serving as rector of a university centre also owned by the couple. Born in Cambuci, Rio de Janeiro, Pereira was raised in Cabo Frio, another municipality in the same state, by her father, a doctor, and her mother, a housewife. The middle child between two brothers, she had little interest in football, despite growing up in a family of diehard Vasco da Gama fans. While her brothers went for kickabouts, she played with dolls. Palmeiras entered her life at 18, when she met her future husband. At the time, she was studying journalism at a university in Rio de Janeiro. After two years working as a trainee at TV Manchete, she decided to switch paths and study law. 'I always had this strong desire to be independent,' she says. 'And that's why everything I do today is rooted in this personal drive. I've always had this feminist streak, even before I knew what feminism really meant.' Her rapid rise to the top of Palmeiras's hierarchy has drawn scrutiny. Her professional relationship with the club began in January 2015, when Palmeiras were short on cash, without a permanent shirt sponsor and having narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the previous season. She suggested her husband's company should sponsor the club he loves as a way to lift his spirits after a period of ill health. And that is what happened. Over a decade-long partnership, Palmeiras rose to the summit of Brazilian football as the dominant team, winning 14 major titles, including back-to-back Copa Libertadores four league championships and two Brazilian Cups. This golden era spanned three club presidents: Paulo Nobre, Maurício Galiotte and Pereira herself. Her tenure as both club president and principal sponsor between 2021 and 2024, however, was not without controversy, with critics raising concerns over potential conflicts of interest – allegations she firmly denies. Since January, her company has stepped away from its sponsorship role, with the club now backed by a different company. Her current term runs until 2027 and Palmeiras are in far better shape than many of their rivals. Last year, the club posted record revenues of R$1.2bn, over a third of which came from selling academy-developed talent. A decade ago, Palmeiras's youth system was largely unremarkable. Now it leads the field. Gabriel Jesus paved the way, with a £27m move to Manchester City, followed by Endrick's £61m transfer to Real Madrid. Danilo joined Nottingham Forest for £18m, Luis Guilherme went to West Ham for £25.5m, Vitor Reis was sold to City this January for £29.6m – a record for a Brazilian centre-back – and Estêvão is bound for Chelsea in a deal worth up to £53m. That stream of income has allowed Palmeiras to flex their financial muscle. In February, they signed the striker Vitor Roque – then on loan at Real Betis from Barcelona – for £21.7m, making him the most expensive signing in Brazilian club history. 'I have no doubt that Palmeiras are the best-run and most credible club in South America,' Pereira says. 'But of course, that level of excellence isn't down to me alone, it's thanks to the incredible professionals we have. No one achieves anything by themselves.' She adds, with evident pride: 'European giants now trust us to do business. Today, we're a global reference. And it's a woman at the helm.' She says: 'Palmeiras are one of the few clubs in Brazil that meet all their financial obligations on time – staff, players, transfer fees. That's non-negotiable for me. I come from a business background and football will not tarnish my name. I want to walk into our training ground and hold people accountable without owing them anything. It's absurd that some [Brazilian] clubs can't pay wages yet keep signing players. That's why I advocate for financial fair play in Brazil.' At the Club World Cup, Chelsea supporters will get a closer look at Estêvão. Widely seen as the most electrifying export since Neymar first lit up the late 2000s, it will be the 18-year-old prospect's last dance in green and white before making the move to Stamford Bridge. 'He's a phenomenal player and I understand why my husband didn't want to let him go. This boy will one day be the best in the world. He's that good and will always be one of our academy's own. Just like Endrick, Vitor Reis, Luis Guilherme … ' While Pereira has maintained the philosophy laid down by her predecessors, it is Abel Ferreira who has shaped the club's golden era on the pitch. The Portuguese coach is both the most successful and the longest-serving manager in Palmeiras's history. Appointed by Pereira's predecessor, he has won 10 trophies in just over four years, an extraordinary feat in a country where managerial turnover is common. A former Sporting full-back who began his coaching career in the club's youth ranks before spells at Braga and Paok, Ferreira will lead Palmeiras into their opening Group A match against Porto at MetLife Stadium in New York on Sunday. They will then face Al Ahly on Thursday, before rounding out the group stage against Inter Miami in Florida on 24 June. 'The Club World Cup is a major challenge, and we're excited about it. Just because some clubs are European giants doesn't mean we can't compete. After all, it's our players who get signed by those clubs.' Whatever the outcome on the pitch, Palmeiras arrive in the US not only as a dominant force in South American football, but as a club reshaped by modern management, and fronted by a woman who has refused to be defined by it. She is outnumbered by men, but not outpowered.
Entrepreneur
26-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Samana Developers Partners With Dubai Land Department to Enable Greater Gender Inclusivity in Dubai's Real Estate Market
You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. SAMANA Developers, a UAE-based real estate developer, has entered into a strategic partnership with Dubai Land Department (DLD) to further its commitment towards creating a more inclusive and gender equitable real estate sector—specifically by promoting greater women's leadership and participation within Dubai's booming property market. The partnership aligns with DLD's She Pioneers initiative, which aims to celebrate and recognize the key role women play in driving sustainable growth in the real estate market while simultaneously increasing female investment. With the goal of establishing a strong and influential female presence across every stage of the real estate value chain, the initiative also seeks to transform women into confident investors, key decision-makers, and dynamic industry professionals. This, in turn, aligns with Dubai's progressive development agenda, which prioritises the advancement of female talent and promotes gender equality across all vital sectors. As part of this new partnership with DLD, Samana Developers will launch a series of impactful programs, including mentorship schemes pairing seasoned industry leaders with aspiring female professionals, dedicated networking events to foster community and collaboration, specialized training courses for female real estate agents, and tailored investment packages designed to support women entrepreneurs on their property ownership journey. "Our strategic collaboration with Samana Developers is deeply valued, as it places women's encouragement at the heart of its mission," noted Majida Ali Rashid, CEO of the Real Estate Development Sector at DLD. "This initiative aligns seamlessly with our broader vision to foster a supportive ecosystem in which women can thrive and actively contribute to the growth of the real estate sector—an essential pillar of Dubai's economy. Ultimately, it reflects the emirate's visionary leadership in championing gender parity and unlocking the full potential of female talent across all sectors." Urusa Imran, Director of Business Development at Samana Developers, highlighted the driving philosophy behind the initiative: "At Samana Developers, where women currently make up 48% of our workforce, we believe that enabling women is essential to the advancement of any modern society. This partnership with Dubai Land Department is a significant step forward in translating that belief into measurable impact. We are confident in the power of women to lead transformative change and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of real estate in Dubai." By aligning strategic goals and resources, both organisations thus hope to drive meaningful change and reinforce Dubai's position as a global leader in progressive, people-centric urban development. Related: Samana Developers Founder Imran Farooq Opens Up on His Long and Winding Road to Success
