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A global real estate services company has marked this year’s International Women’s Day by hitting a new milestone in its efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within its Asia-Pacific workforce.
Cushman & Wakefield shared that over 500 members are now part of its employee-led resource group (ERG), Women’s Integrated Network (WIN).
The ERG group, which has opened 22 city chapters since it was launched in the region five years ago, is one of several in the company, including the LGBTQ+ Integrated Network group UNITY and LEAD (Leading with Education and Awareness of Disabilities).
Alexis Beckwith, the head of people for Asia Pacific and the executive sponsor of the regional WIN division, described the new membership threshold 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 the executive highlighted that the group does not 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,” she remarked.
In 2023, Ms Beckwith revealed that one of WIN’s focus areas is to provide support for women who are returning to the workforce.
“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.”
She also underlined that global companies such as Cushman & Wakefield are “well-positioned” to back women returning to work due to the career opportunities available within the firm as well as the flexible and hybrid arrangements it can offer.
“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,” she stated.
She also encouraged more women to take the leap to return to the workforce. “While returning to work can seem [like] 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,” she stated.
As part of its campaign to promote the impact that women make within the company, Cushman & Wakefield also launched “Life is What She Makes It” on 8 March — a digital campaign showcasing the impact that women make in the firm.
The new campaign is in line with the firm’s “Life is What We Make It”, which highlights the firm’s impact on people, communities, and the planet through its work with clients across 60 countries and aims to showcase Cushman & Wakefield’s commitment to creating positive change and making a difference in the world.
Although women comprise 37 per cent of Cushman Wakefield’s global management team and 40 per cent of our board of directors, Asia Pacific chief executive Matthew Bouw echoed Ms Beckwith’s statement by highlighting that 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.”
Mr Bouw, who is also Chair of the company’s Asia Pacific DEI Council, said that he acknowledged the irony of having a male sponsor the program, but underlined that he was committed to ensuring DEI was “championed at every level of the organisation”.
“As the father of three daughters, I am passionate about ensuring that women have access to every opportunity available,” he shared.
Mr Bouw also divulged that one of his and Ms Beckwith’s shared goals upon working together under the ERG group was to “bring the spirit and success of WIN in our Americas business to the 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.”
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