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“We have created an amazing foundation, now it’s time to consolidate and activate what we have built”
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Employee-led resource group turns attention to next chapter
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Return-to-work program for women a key focus for 2023.
Cushman & Wakefield has marked International Women’s Day 2023 by announcing its Women’s Integrated Network (WIN) has surpassed 500 members across Asia Pacific.
The employee-led resource group (ERG), one of several at the company – including LGBTQ+ Integrated Network group UNITY and LEAD (Leading with Education and Awareness of Disabilities) – has also opened 22 city chapters since it was started in the region five years ago.
The 500+ milestone marks what Head of People Asia Pacific and Executive Sponsor of the regional WIN division, Alexis Beckwith, described as “the moment we have been working towards”.
“Our goals for 2023 are to activate, celebrate and motivate – they are based around consolidation rather than growth. Building our network across the region gives us amazing opportunities to exchange skills and support each other to advance our careers.
“But we don’t just want to chase numbers, which can be a false indicator of change. From the foundation we have built, it is now about moving the needle on the issues that really matter.”
One of the key focus areas for WIN in 2023 is supporting women who return to the workforce.
“Global companies like Cushman & Wakefield are well-positioned to support women returning to work because of the breadth of career opportunities available,” Beckwith said.
“We believe that women who have taken time out to pursue family, caring or education endeavours bring to the workforce established capabilities and life experience. Our WIN members are part of the support network that these women can lean into as they re-establish their professional careers.
“Inherent at Cushman & Wakefield is a culture that supports hybrid and flexible working for those employees who seek it. While the research on how hybrid work impacts career progression is mixed, it has been shown to be particularly beneficial in supporting women to return to the workforce.
“While returning to work can seem a daunting prospect, we believe that in the right environment, with great leaders and great people around you, it’s a transition that can be very rewarding.”
Digital campaign celebrates the impact women make every day
Cushman & Wakefield will today also launch Life is What She Makes It, a digital campaign showcasing the impact that women make in the firm “today, and every day”. The campaign complements the firm’s recently launched brand campaign, Life is What We Make It, which portrays Cushman & Wakefield’s impact on people, communities and the planet through its work with clients in 60 countries.
Asia Pacific Chief Executive Matthew Bouw said:
“Women comprise 37 percent of Cushman & Wakefield’s global management team, and 40 percent of our board of directors. But it’s not just about the numbers – our commitment globally is to hire, develop and advance new talent. Embracing diversity, equity and inclusion in all its forms across all aspects of our organisation is one of the guiding principles of the Cushman & Wakefield culture.”
Bouw, who is also Chair of the company’s Asia Pacific DEI Council, said he appreciated the irony of having a male sponsor the program but was committed to ensuring DEI was championed at every level of the organization.
“As the father of three daughters I am passionate about ensuring that women have access to every opportunity available.
“When Alexis joined the company shortly after I began this role, one of the goals we jointly set was to bring the spirit and success of WIN in our Americas business to Asia Pacific. We started from zero but with the belief that establishing WIN Asia Pacific was crucial to both the vitality of the business and our commitment to DEI more broadly.
“Five years later, I’m thrilled at the progress we have made.”
