At the everywomen in retail awards last night, we were delighted to hear that Dave Brittain, Senior Manager, Technical Advisor at Amazon, was awarded the Male Agent of Change award, which recognises men who are actively committed to advancing or championing the career progression of women in retail.
Dave has made a hugely positive impact on boosting diversity across Amazon through his work leading the policy workstream for women@amazon, our employee affinity group. He was a key driver of Amazon’s flexible working guidelines, providing informal guidance to help managers and employees more effectively use informal and occasional flexible working. Dave is also passionate about mentoring women at all levels of the business. Currently, he mentors four women, two of whom have subsequently been promoted to senior management positions.
To truly embrace diversity, we need men and women to work together to stamp out unconscious bias and build a new way, a new norm. It doesn’t work for women to do this on their own.
“Fostering diversity and inclusion is more important today than it ever has been, not only because it’s the ‘right’ thing to do, but also because it demonstrably improves performance,” Dave said, following his award win. “To truly embrace diversity, we need men and women to work together to stamp out unconscious bias and build a new way, a new norm. It doesn’t work for women to do this on their own. For this to be successful, men have to play their part too, as allies, as champions and most importantly as agents for change. Everyone shortlisted for this award has shown that drive to play their part, and I feel privileged and honoured to be representing them all here today.”
The everywoman in Retail Awards are for those who possess the qualities, attitude, hard work ethic and commitment to supporting other women that makes them a credit to the industry and the organisations they work for. Past winners from Amazon include Jacqui Chin and Lauren Kisser, and the awards programme is open to women at all stages of their career.