On July 30, the Birmingham Post launched it’s Power 50 list. The 50 most powerful folk in Birmingham – the people who drive the city’s fortune. I love it. As I spend more and more time working with people around the city I am familiar with many more of the faces, a few are friends, which makes me enormously proud.
So, how do women fare. As is my way, I thought I’d start by simply capturing a list of the women who feature.
11. Christine Braddock – Birmingham Metropolitan College (2008 – 45)
12. Julie Moore – UHB (2008 – 16)
18. Suzie Norton – Screen West Midlands (2008 – 15)
24. Salma Yaqoob – Respect Councillor (mine as it happens!) (2008 – 11)
30. Justice Williams – Inner City Creative Media Group
31. Clare Edwards – Gigbeth
37. Helga Henry – Fierce/Creative Republic
40. Julia King – Aston University (2008 – 3)
41. Kerry Thomas – Fused Magazine
So there we are: 9 women – 18%.
Last year there were 12 women in the list , so we’ve fallen 6% points from 24%. Julia King was at No. 3 – I’m not sure what she’s done this year that is so less impressive… So last year 5 of the top 20 were women, this year only 3. Two of my friends – who I know are no less impressive this year have been dropped from the 50: Dorothy Wilson & Sara Gee – is there a rota, maybe it’s your turn again next year.
I wonder how all of this compares with the % of women in senior roles – similar I suspect. None in the Top Ten. Some big hitters though and for me it’s great to watch these impressive women – so much to learn from them. So my challenge for next year – Brimmin – is to get at least 1 back in the top ten and over 20 in the list. Go for it.