Women boost business productivity and profitability

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Women boost business productivity and profitabilityA new forum for Canberra’s development industry will explore how gender balance can drive economic growth and improve business profitability.The Property Council of Australia has established the Property Male Champions of Change (PMCC) to expand the number of women in leadership roles. According to the Property Council’s ACT Executive Director, Catherine Carter, the small number of women in decision-making positions in the property and construction industry is unacceptable, and change is happening far too slowly.”Recent research from EY and the Property Council has found that, in failing to address gender diversity, our industry is missing out on a huge opportunity to boost business performance and profitability,” Ms Carter says.The Property Male Champions of Change comprises 22 CEOs and one chair from across the property sector, and is chaired by business leader and former National President of the Property Council, Carol Schwartz AM. Property Council of Australia Chief Executive Ken Morrison says: “The organisations that provide men and women with the same opportunity to succeed and become leaders will thrive. The property industry has proven its credential when it comes to embedding safety, technology and sustainability across the sector. The same sharp focus now needs to expand to address gender equity.”The business case for women in leadership is well established, with 15 years of global research finding that companies with gender diverse boards and leadership teams outperform their competitors.”While there are structural barriers that prevent more women in our industry from reaching their potential, there are also many leaders working hard to dismantle those barriers,” Ms Carter says.”We encourage men in our industry to join this forum to learn how they can actively develop, promote and advance the careers of talented women. “When business leaders see that diversity drives productivity and profitability, it becomes a no-brainer,” Ms Carter concludes.The first Canberra Property Male Champions of Change breakfast will be held on Thursday, 5 March 2015. The event is proudly supported by EY. Media passes are available on request.Media contact: Catherine Carter, ACT Executive Director, 02 6248 6902 or 0412 330 079