Diversity is the lifeblood of any successful business. Whether that’s in terms of the experiences and insights of those around us, or the different people who make our endeavours the successes they are, ensuring a good level of inclusivity is an essential.
That’s especially true of women in the workplace. While history shows how society has typically been dismissive of women and those that identify as such, a female perspective can help uncover new avenues of thought, innovative approaches, and solutions that might’ve otherwise remained unexplored.
Here at Churchill Support Services, we’re exceptionally proud to have an incredible complement of women across our business. From our in-house departments, to our cutting-edge Communications Centre and out in the field, we’re honoured to represent such a diverse range of perspectives and ideas.
As International Women’s Day draws in once again, we wanted to take the time to speak to the women who make Churchill the success that it is.
We’ve taken the time to ask just a few questions to a cross-section of our female staff. We’ll find out what shapes their perceptions of the security industry, how they feel about the importance of diversity in the workplace, and the advice they’d give to young women who are seeking a career in what’s stereotypically been a male-dominated industry.
I find being a woman in the security industry to be both empowering and challenging. On the positive side, it allows me to bring diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to the table. However, there are challenges, such as overcoming stereotypes and biases. Nevertheless, I see these challenges as opportunities for growth and believe that diversity is crucial for creating a more dynamic and effective security landscape.
Diversity in security is crucial because it brings together a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and approaches, enhancing the industry’s ability to address complex and evolving issues with innovation and effectiveness.
Embrace your unique perspective, cultivate your skills, and confidently contribute to the male-dominated industry, knowing that your diverse voice and talents are essential for fostering innovation and driving positive change.
There is no denying that the industry has long been perceived as male-dominated. However, I would say that this perception has changed significantly over the years. In my seven years of experience in the industry, I have witnessed firsthand the shift towards better diversity and inclusion and it is now evident that there is a growing recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the sector.
Every day, I see the success and impact of women in this field who are not only breaking barriers but also driving positive change within the industry. These women are not just fighting for equality – they are also leading the way towards a more inclusive and progressive industry.
Diversity is key everywhere, and not just in our industry. We have a specific perception about our industry and I’m really glad that’s changing over the years. I’ve touched on how I’ve seen those preconceptions change over time, and a big part of that lies in how we’re embracing new perspectives in this industry and beyond.
In all fairness, I think regardless of your gender, background, religion, or any other factor, what truly matters is the value and the passion that each person brings. This, I believe, is the most important aspect for anyone and we need more people like that within the sector.
I’ve always found working in security so empowering and liberating. It’s refreshing to get the opportunity to bring new ideas and thinking to the industry, and to feel empowered and enriched as I do.
Security has always had this reputation of being a very male-dominated industry, and there’s very often there stereotypes that a lot of people associate with the security sector that are really difficult to escape.
Since I started over 5 years ago, I’ve personally seen a lot more women getting involved. That’s not just in head office, either – more and more women are getting involved on site, as well as in positions of power, which have always been male-dominated, or given out to men. It’s honestly inspiring to see how things are changing for the better.
My honest advice would be to just do it! You’d be surprised how much you can do, even in a male-dominated environment like security stereotypically is. Have faith in yourself, be strong in all you do, and you can achieve so much!
Being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry like security can present challenges such as stereotypes, biases, and barriers to advancement. However, it also offers opportunities to bring different perspectives and utilise my skills and experiences to provide different outlooks.
Having diverse teams in security is key. It means different viewpoints, more innovation, better representation and less bias.
To any women looking to work in male-dominated industries I would say; be confident, build good relationships with your peers, keep learning and be willing to adapt and challenge stereotypes.
I’ve always found it quite empowering. I don’t see the idea of security being a male-dominated industry being a barrier to what I want to do. I work as a Mobile Response Manager, and having to deal with a huge variety of people – both men and women – means I’ve become confident and comfortable in my role.
It’s massive for me. Without different perspectives and ideas, the whole sector runs the risk of becoming stale or set in its ways, which is the last thing we need in such a fast-moving sector. Plus, diversity gives everyone the chance to speak and to voice their opinions, which is a great thing too.
Confidence is key, I’d say. Security has always been dominated by men, but the tides are changing, and by being confident and focused in what you do, you can join that movement.
My experience of being a woman working in the security industry so far has been excellent and very enjoyable but I believe this is mainly due to my employers (Churchill Support Services). Churchill Support Services treat men & women equally and champion these key values of equal opportunities and safe working environments for all.
I have spoken to other female security officers working for other security based agencies and most get treated unfairly and discriminated against. I’m fortune to not experience any of this.
I feel gender diversity is important in the security industry as many females feel more comfortable confiding in a women regarding personal issues. Having a female security officer is also useful for a variety of security issues, whether that would be a body search, checking the female toilets or range of other duties.
I would recommend and encourage women to work in the security industry as they can learn lots of key skills and enjoy the variety of work available. My only warning to any women who want to join the security industry would be to do their due diligence and research first on their potential employer first before committing.
Women are an asset to the security industry because women can access areas where men can’t. We often have better communication skills that can defuse a situation and can offer a better and more level-headed approach. The security industry is always changing, and right now it is adapting into a place where women are more involved than ever.
Without a diverse and inclusive workforce, the industry risks creating solutions that only work for a specific subset of the population or fails to address the needs of others. A lack of diversity can also lead to biases in decision making, which can have serious consequences for individuals and organisations.
I would encourage women who are entering male dominated fields to have the courage to be candid and challenge ideas and decisions.
I won’t lie, there’s been obstacles in the past, and misconceptions that meant it used to be really difficult to overcome those stereotypes. It used to be that people would assume you’re too short, or that you’re not strong enough to have the same successes that men have in the security industry – that’s not the case anymore, thankfully.
I’ve been working in security for over 17 years now, and in that time I’ve learned so much about what I can bring to the table, and that by taking a calm and level-headed approach to situations, you’re automatically in a better spot, and can alter the dynamic in your favour.
I think a big part of that was learned when I worked in a detention centre. I quickly realised that you get far more out of it by being polite and calm, and communicating effectively with people rather than rushing headfirst into it, or making assumptions about people before you know them.
It’s incredibly important, in my opinion. A woman brings a new perspective, and one that really can’t be overlooked when it comes to the security industry. You’re able to bring fresh ideas to the table, and you can defuse and de-escalate situations that might have otherwise gotten out of hand.
My honest advice would be just to do it! I’m naturally going to say that, obviously – I’ve been doing it for 17 years now, and I absolutely love every minute of it. It’s such a rewarding line of work to be in, and it makes you feel so empowered. If you want to get involved, get involved!
It’s a challenge, of course it is, to be a woman in a position of power in what’s traditionally been a male-dominated industry, but it’s one that I’ve relished. From getting started as an apprentice more than 10 years ago now, to my newly appointed position as a Director of Sales, I’ve continually strived to make the world of security more approachable for women.
That change has already begun, and I’m proud to have been immersed in that change at its early stages, and to be flying the flag for women in my sector.
I honestly think diversity and inclusivity is one of the most important and pivotal aspects of any security industry. It’s constantly evolving, the sector we work in, and those new viewpoints and ideas that different people bring are integral to creating change. That’s crucial in what we do at Churchill.
We want to be the trailblazers of what we do, and set the standard for what’s a rapidly changing sector, and we’re already starting to do that with the diverse staff roster we have.
My biggest advice, and the advice I know I’ve gotten as I’ve risen through the ranks here at Churchill Support Services, is to go for it. Passion, enthusiasm and a drive to learn and develop are far, far greater indicators of what you can accomplish than something as binary or black-and-white as gender.
I’ve seen this first-hand – I know how much of a pivotal presence women have in the workplace, offering new avenues of consideration and thought. And the more that can happen, where the right people are put in the right seats irrespective of their gender, the brighter the future of security will look.
We’re constantly striving to provide equal opportunities here at Churchill Support Services, and that’s especially true for an industry that’s typically been dominated by men. You’ll have heard from just a few of our exceptional women here at Churchill, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg in our commitment to a diverse workforce.
You’ll see that best reflected in our head office staff, 37.5% of whom are women or identify as female. We’ve got numerous women in positions of power currently, as well as many more that have moved onto equally incredible positions at other companies across a range of industries.
Our Communications Centre is a key example of that, with Pam and Tracey coordinating much of the day-to-day operations. As you’ve no doubt seen, we have women at every level of our organisation – from newer appointments to directorial roles – and we’re only seeking to improve those figures with our recruitment going forward.
At our core, we’re a People First business, and that’s a banner that encompasses so many different characteristics and traits, with gender and identification being just one aspect of that. We want to create an environment where people, no matter who they are, can experience the same levels of support, growth and progression.
We also aim to provide equal opportunities in the training we provide. We utilise a robust online learning platform that allows learners to study at a pace that suits them, irrespective of other commitments.
Ultimately though, it’s our culture and our open and welcoming atmosphere that’s conducive to better and greater opportunities for our female colleagues. We’ll constantly aim for that to continue in the future, and to give women the platform and respect they deserve.
