The Standard Bank Top Women Awards have shortlisted Havas South Africa in the ‘Top Gender-empowered Company – Diversity in the Workplace Award’ category, while Havas CEO, Lynn Madeley, has been shortlisted in the ‘Top Businesswoman’ category for the third consecutive time.
Standard Bank Top Women Awards celebrate businesses and business leaders who advocate for gender parity in South Africa and across the African continent. Over the past 16 years, the awards have created a platform that leads in the recognition of women leaders and gender-strong companies.
Havas South Africa’s team composition sits at over 70% women, with a leadership team of over 80% women and a board of 66% women, all leading and driving the business from all angles. Further, Havas South Africa runs the Havas Academy, a specialist internship programme that is aimed at empowering black women who are looking to get into marketing and communication. Through the Havas Academy, interns get a chance to work across the entire Havas Village’s various discipline and get a thorough understanding of the centrality of meaningful content.
The Standard Bank Top Women Awards recognises organisations and individuals whose efforts are uplifting women in business and society in general. The awards ceremony will take place on 15th August in Johannesburg. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner on the evening attended by business and government leaders, VIPs and members of the media.
Madeley said, ‘It’s really motivating to be recognised for what for us at Havas, is business as usual. The success in our gender-diversity strong team make-up is simply because we had a woman leader, and that cultivated enough of a culture that was not only inviting but also convinced other women to join the team. It’s testament to the fact that an open door for one woman is actually an open door for many women.’
‘The Havas Academy is a great idea of putting our money where our mouth is – also responding to gender issues in the industry by joining in to equip future talent. Our focus on black women speaks to the urgent need for transformation in our industry and the women-focus is a response to the numerous gender gaps that plague many a sector,’ concluded Madeley.
