Savills Australia’s efforts to blaze a trail in support of the growing number of women pursuing careers in the commercial property industry, a traditionally male-dominated environment, will be highlighted on International Women’s Day.

The market-leading company has made significant progress through its Equality & Diversity policy program, with 31 women commencing employment since the start of the year, which will be celebrated at networking events in its offices across the Australia and New Zealand on Friday.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is “Balance For Better” – better the balance, better the world. Everyone has a role to play – all the time, everywhere.

“Savills is committed to shining a light on the importance of gender parity and working together to build a gender-balanced world,” Savills Australia & New Zealand CEO, Paul Craig, said.

Several senior female appointments have been made at Savills Australia in the past year, including Adele Eagleton as NSW State Director of Project Management, Sarah Hendry as VIC State Director of Asset Management, Shrabastee Mallik as National Director of Research & Consultancy, and Edwina Mathews as National Director of Marketing & Communications.

Mr Craig continues his involvement in the Property Council of Australia’s (PCA) Male Champions of Change initiative and sits on the recently formed Build An Inclusive Industry action group, working alongside other professionals in the industry to drive change and improve gender diversity at senior levels.

“We embrace an environment where our people feel empowered to share their perspectives with confidence they will be heard,” he said.

“We are striving to create a workforce that is representative of the entire community and broadens our understanding.”

Some of the ways Savills is upending gender stereotypes in the commercial property industry include waiving the three-month waiting period on its return-to-work bonus scheme for parents returning from parental leave; offering five paid days for non-primary carers following the birth of a child; and increasing promotions of female managers from 18.2 percent to 38.1 percent in the 2017/2018 Workplace Gender Equality Agency reporting period.

“Savills actively endorses several initiatives supporting gender equality and women’s empowerment, including the Women in Property Leadership Summit and the PCA’s Girls in Property,” Mr Craig said.

“Five of the 13 Savills employees who were selected to sit on the 2019 PCA committees are female, and seven Savills employees have applied to be participants in this year’s PCA 500 Women in Property program.

“We wish them every success.”

Mr Craig expressed the sentiment that “the responsibility sits with all of us to make a call to action for accelerating gender parity”.

“There are plenty of opportunities to show our support and create positive change on and beyond International Women’s Day,” he said.

Savills will celebrate International Women’s Day with staff Q&A panels and networking events at its offices around Australia and New Zealand on Friday, March 8. Staff members are encouraged to wear purple and upload the official International Women’s Day selfie cards to social media with the hashtag #BalanceForBetter.