Shoreham Port supports women in maritime charter launch

Last night the Taskforce behind efforts to address the lack of gender diversity in the UK maritime sector launched a new Charter. The Charter creates a framework to challenge companies to make progress on diversity, and will be supported by a suite of ‘toolkits’ or resources to help companies realise those targets.

The first event to formally launch the Charter was held in London last night. The Maritime Minister, Nusrat Ghani MP has given her full support to the Women In Maritime Taskforce. Nusrat spoke of the progress that has been made and the opportunities ahead.

Companies joining the Women in Maritime Charter will be required to agree an ‘action plan’, setting out individual targets for each participating company. A key commitment will see companies identifying a member of senior management responsible for implementation of the action plan as well as distributing a survey to staff on workplace culture. Performance against action plans will be self-assessed via online portal and national performance published in a joint industry-government report.

Sue Terpilowski, Chair of the Taskforce, said “We’ve been focused on making sure that the Charter we deliver is relevant to companies across the length and breadth of the maritime sector – both in size and function. We think we’ve struck the right balance between realism and challenge, with the appropriate plan in place to support companies to excel on gender diversity.”

David Dingle, Chair of Maritime UK, said “Without a diverse workforce we will not be able to tackle the challenges we face – including innovating cutting-edge technology, such as that required to decarbonise shipping. A plurality of ideas and creative thinking is absolutely critical to the future success of UK maritime, one of Britain’s biggest industries. I’m really encouraged by the response from companies across the country to the Women In Maritime initiative, and heartened by their resolution to work collaboratively to effect real change”.

Since Maritime UK’s Women In Maritime Taskforce called for companies to engage in its work, over 60 companies have signed a pledge designed to signal intent on gender diversity. Having consulted those companies on the design of the Charter, the Taskforce is now calling for Charter ‘pilots’ to come forward and agree their action plans.

Shoreham Port’s Director of Corporate Services, Nicky Goldsbrough is part of the Taskforce and will be creating an action plan for Shoreham Port. She said “The Port will be one of the first to pilot the charter and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce, at the forefront of change in the maritime sector”.

Subsequent launch events will be taking place in Liverpool and Southampton across Maritime UK Week over the next few days.

For more information about the Women In Maritime Charter, to sign the pledge or become a Charter pilot, visit https://www.maritimeuk.org/priorities/people/diversity-maritime/networks/women-maritime/ 

Category: Maritime