Metropolitan recognised in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women

Metropolitan has been listed in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women list 2012. Announced today, this exclusive list includes organisations from across different sectors who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to furthering opportunities for women. A number of large blue-chip companies including Shell, Barclays Bank Plc and Mars are included on the list and only one other housing association, Genesis, has been recognised.

Women are head of the household in 60% of the 38,000 homes managed by Metropolitan, formerly known as Metropolitan Housing Partnership. The organisation also has a female workforce of 60% and therefore it not only makes good business sense to enhance opportunities for women but also reflects the equality and diversity values of the organisation.

Mark Harrison, Diversity Strategy Manager, said: “We are extremely committed to gender equality and it is central to our service delivery, development of homes and role as an employer. These considerations help to definite who we are as an organisation and are not an ‘after-thought’ or an ‘add-on’ for us.”

Metropolitan has a number of initiatives specialising in addressing the needs of women living in the communities it serves. For example its eight week Fast Forward employment programme in Edmonton, North London, focuses on the specific needs of mothers with young children and teaches them valuable new skills to find work, whilst their children take part in fun activities.

Metropolitan also runs a women’s refuge in Derby which guarantees sanctuary to women fleeing domestic violence, with a specific focus on the needs of African Caribbean and Asian women. In addition, Metropolitan supports a football club for women living on the Chalkhill estate in Brent in North London which offers young Muslim women an opportunity to participate in sports and helps them become part of the local community.

Internally, women have been recognised at all levels of the organisation and have a fair representation at Board and Executive levels. Metropolitan’s Women’s Forum  has had a significant impact on the organisation’s policies, strategies and working practices with questions on equal pay, flexible working and childcare being raised corporately for the first time.

Bernadette Conway, Chair of Metropolitan’s Women’s Forum, said: “Metropolitan recognises that it is important to have an encouraging culture that supports all our employees to be high performers and achieve their aspirations, regardless of their gender. The fact we are listed in the Times Top 50 Employers for Women is testament to this and we look forward to working on more initiatives to enter for next year.”

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Media contact: Karleena Suppiah, Communications Officer – Public Relations,
on 020 3535 4379 or email karleena.suppiah@mhp-online.co.uk
Notes to editors:

• Metropolitan is a social and community development organisation. We deliver an integrated package of housing services, care and support, and community regeneration that enhances the quality of life and opportunities for people in the communities we serve. www.metropolitan.org.uk
• Metropolitan manages 38,000 affordable homes and provides support services in London, East Midlands and East of England