The Female Touch

Campbell Tyson Cooper White has been a bastion of male-ness for almost 90 years. Although our Team is mainly female (80%), all the Partners/Directors positions have been held by males. This has given the place a decidedly male feel to it. Until this year.

When Sarah Miskell was appointed Director in April this year, something changed. I can also say it changed for the better. Tanya Potter, our General Manager brought a female perspective to our Board Meetings, as well as to the implementation of our strategies at the coal face. However, there had not been the involvement of a female at Directorship level to give it the “full 360″. Sarah coming on board has changed this.

Sarah’s impact may not even always be direct. Having a female on the Board has, in my opinion, emboldened others to speak up. The decor has improved (the feminine touch has brought far more tasteful colours and decor), meetings have a more collaborative feeling, people seem more open in terms of their opinions and are welling to discuss and negotiate. It was not that this was lacking previously, it is more the amplification that has changed. There has also been a conscious effort to empower all staff which I think has also contributed to a great feel around the office. Our Teams are more sharing and collaborative in their approach, with a real ground-swell of concern and desire to help our clients as a Firm.

It really feels as though we are moving beyond being accountants, and becoming more holistic in the way we run our business and care for our clients.

Till next time.

Lincoln

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