International Women’s Day is an annual event celebrated globally on March 8th. This year’s theme is #InspireInclusion, something that is incredibly important to us and is ingrained into our whole ethos here at the Seventy Ninth. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world – a more diverse and equal world.
At the Seventy Ninth Group, we’ve created an environment where all talents are not only welcomed but embraced. Our shared commitment to equality and inclusion has created an environment where women feel valued, heard and respected. We pride ourselves in knowing that we hire based on skills and merit and not on gender stereotypes. Across all of our global teams, women are included in key decision-making and given the opportunity to develop and grow.
This is a culture that has been purposefully created, allowing us to gain access to diverse perspectives, which has been instrumental in our company’s growth. For International Women’s Day, we’re going to show you some insights from female leaders and key decision-makers within the company. We’re going to look at their ambitions, their career path, and what motivates them, all to encourage other women to do the same.
Natalie Bellis
CEO
Seventy Ninth Group
When you began your career, did you always see yourself working in a corporate business and reaching the position you are now in?
“I set myself a personal target, probably when I was around 24-25, going into the corporate world. I thought – not knowing or fully understanding what this meant – I wanted to be a director of a company by the time of 40. Having achieved that ahead of schedule is great, but what’s next?”
How can we recognise the positive impacts of having women as decision-makers in a company?
“Recognising women shouldn’t be, in my opinion, any different to recognising anyone within the organisation. Everyone here is hired based on the fact that they can do their job. And if they can’t, they have the attitude and the drive to be able to get to do that job successfully.”
“That’s something I’m really proud of at Seventy Ninth Group, the fact that there is always that open conversation there. For example, someone may have come in to work within the finance department, but actually, they’ve got a real passion for another department, and that’s something that we like to tease out of people.”
If you could, what advice would you give to your younger self?
“What advice would I give to my younger self? Don’t be so critical of yourself, and stick with it. Be encouraged by yourself, and positivity will come from all of that hard work that you do. Unfortunately, you do get knocks along the way, but it’s how you pick yourself back up and keep yourself in the right frame of mind, remembering that you’re moving towards your goal. It’s not a race. One small step is still a win. Ten steps is a win. It’s just how you how you believe in yourself.”
Hannah Gregg
Marketing Assistant
Seventy Ninth Group
When you began your career, did you always see yourself working in a corporate business and reaching the position you are now in?
“Originally, I didn’t want to go to university, so it was a pretty last-minute decision for me to go, but I’m so glad that I did because now I’m here.”
How can we recognise the positive impacts of having women as decision-makers in a company?
“It’s really important to have role models, especially in the place you work, and it’s great that we’ve got so many role models here at the Seventy Ninth Group. My personal role model is my cousin. She started off stacking shelves at Tesco down the road, and now she’s a regional manager for Tesco. I just think, what a woman.”
Georgia Peach
Account Manager
Seventy Ninth Group
When you began your career, did you always see yourself working in a corporate business and reaching the position you are now in?
“I definitely didn’t envision myself in the position that I’m currently in. I genuinely just thought I was going to be a relationship manager, where I answered calls and spoke to clients. But luckily, I’ve been given more opportunity here.”
Describe a time where you felt your gender impacted your treatment in the workplace.
“In previous roles, I’ve definitely not been taken seriously. But that’s not the case here at the Seventy Ninth Group. I started here in my twenties, and I’ve now worked here for two years, and progressed massively, transitioning into a completely unbelievable role. Whether you’re female or male, you can progress here at the Seventy Ninth Group.”
How can we recognise the positive impacts of having women as decision makers in a company?
“Our CEO is a woman, so that in itself is empowering to me, and I do look up to that. I do look at Natalie, and I think I want to be like you, and I think that comes down to hard work and dedication.”
What advice would you give the next generation of women in business?
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t have it all figured out by a certain age. Changing your mind is completely fine, and if you do, you’ll land on your feet, and you’ll be okay.”
Alicia McMahon
Head of HR
Seventy Ninth Group
How can we recognise the positive impacts of having women as decision makers in a company?
“When I came for my interview at the Seventy Ninth group, Natalie was the pull for me to start here. Her ideas and aspirations for the company going forward made me want to dive into the Seventy Ninth Group and be a part of it.”
“I’ve seen us grow from just six people in one office to the 45 employees that we now have at our head office alone, at the moment. I’ve seen how hard Natalie has worked, and that’s made me want to work harder, too.”
“We’re all here for the growth of this company, regardless of gender. We all work together as a team. We all come together, we all support each other, and that’s what I love about working at the Seventy Ninth Group.”
As a company with offices all over the globe. It’s important to acknowledge how the experiences of many women across the world may differ. In other countries, the shift towards equal opportunity and inclusivity is still being developed. For International Women’s Day, we wanted to hear from some of the women in our global teams on their experiences of diversity and inclusion.
Adriènne Kelbie CBE
Non-Executive Director
Seventy Ninth Group
How can we recognise the positive impacts of having women as decision makers in a company?
“At the group, we’re really lucky to have a well-balanced team, and I think we reap the rewards of that in the way the company goes about its strategy, its stakeholder relations, and its execution of business. But we also think a lot about the communities in which we operate through our ESG. We’re really mindful of the social impact in countries where women are not afforded the same opportunities that they may be in Europe.”
How can I play my part in helping to achieve true equality within the workplace?
“What can men do to help women get on? There’s a lot, but let me just focus on one. If you notice that you are sitting at a table with a vast majority of men, find somebody who can contribute to that meeting, who is a woman. Make a space for them, and invite them to share their thoughts. Unless you do something now, you will not see a change later.”
What advice would you give the next generation of women in business?
“I think the bottom line is, know what you want to try and be prepared to give it a shot, even if you have failings along the way. We all do. But do not let anything or anyone tell you that you can’t be what you want to be. I’m sure you can. But it will be hard work, so get stuck in.”
Reenu Sehgal
Head of Corporate Relations UAE
Seventy Ninth Global
When you began your career, did you always see yourself working in a corporate business and reaching the position you are now in?
“Very early on, I learned not to categorise myself. There is no room for stereotypes or gender biases. If I were to present myself as an individual who is fit for a specific role, that should be enough. Everything is possible. As long as you are competent, you are qualified and not scared to make mistakes.”
What advice would you give to the next generation of women in business?
“On the occasion of International Women’s Day, I would just like to relay there is no race that we are in. Just come into the field as an equal, be it in your career or your personal life, and goals can be achieved. Dream big. Eventually, everything works out in the end. Do not fret about the small things in life.”
Dansira Conde
Administrative Liaison
Seventy Ninth Resources
When you began your career, did you always see yourself working in a corporate business and reaching the position you are now in?
“When I began my career, I always saw myself working in a corporate business, but reaching the position I am in today, I always knew it was going to happen, but I did not know when and how it would happen.”
What advice would you give to the next generation of women in business?
“My advice to the next generation of women in business within Guinea is to believe in themselves. If they think they can do it, go for it. Also, prioritise education because education provides stability in life, and education is something that no one can ever take away from you.”
“Happy International Women’s Day, to all the women around the world!”
Watch our full IWD video below
Thank you to all the incredible women that work at the Seventy Ninth Group, across all our offices around the world. This International Women’s Day, we encourage everyone, everywhere, to be more inclusive, do what you can to support and advance women around you, and help forge a path for women’s equality across the globe.
