Since the early 1900s, women around the world have come together to celebrate International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to recognising the achievements of women throughout history. This year, the theme is #InspireInclusion, urging us to unite and create a sense of belonging and empowerment which will allow women to thrive.
Amidst the celebration, it’s crucial to reflect on the disparities that persist in various industries, including our own. Communications and PR is a female-led industry, with 64% of those working in the industry being female. However, 66% of leadership positions in the industry are held by men.
As a communications agency, T47 works across a range of industries, including renewable energy, infrastructure, and housing development. Renewable energy is currently one of the least gender-diverse areas of the economy. A report published in 2019 by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) found that women comprised only 32% of the renewable energy workforce globally.
There are fantastic initiatives encouraging women into these fields, including grants such as the Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant Programme. Access to networks has also been instrumental in retaining a diverse workforce including Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) and Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE). Inside Housing has its Women Leaders in Housing initiative, which aims to highlight female leaders in the social housing world. We at T47 are proud of our paid internship programme, where two of the last three interns have been women looking to pursue a career in communications and engagement.
Employee spotlight
At T47, we have a significant representation of women at every level within the company. The company currently boasts a higher number of female employees compared to their male counterparts, with a ratio of two female members for every male member of staff. Notably, all positions at Account Director and Account Executive level are held by women.
Account Executive Bethan sat down with some of the female members of staff at T47 to discuss their roles in the company, their inspirations, and what advice they had for women looking to start or progress careers in our industry:
Gabriele
Can you briefly introduce yourself and your role in within the company?
I’m a graphic designer for T47. Although it’s hard to summarise my day-to-day within the company as a sole graphic designer, I mainly design consultation materials, social media and web graphics and other internal designs as needed as well as managing and upkeeping client project and our own websites.
Who inspires you? Why?
I take a lot of inspiration from strong, powerful women, starting with my grandmother who raised 5 children on her own, in a village in the middle of nowhere, whilst being the only working adult with an income. All of that whilst the country was also going through the war. My mother had me when she was quite young (just turned 20) and raised me without a dad whilst studying and working at the same time. In her mid-30s, when Lithuania was in economic crisis, she packed up and left the life that she knew behind, seeking better life in a country she didn’t know at all – all with hopes to improve mine and my sister’s lives when we grow up.
What makes you proud to work at T4/7?
I’m proud to work at a company that’s so “green”. Sustainability and impact on the planet is considered in every decision: from compostable roller banners to offsetting carbon emissions of the travel for the guests coming to our anniversary event. I’m also proud to work at the company that’s so compassionate and understanding when it comes to their staff. Will’s view that “your personal life should come first” really echoes throughout the company and ability to work around general life events without feeling guilty (as I used to in some of my previous roles) is very refreshing.
What advice would you give to other women aspiring to achieve similar success in their careers?
My advice is very simple – follow your gut. There are so many setbacks that can really get in your head and make you question yourself. But you’ve got to be your own best cheerleader and follow the gut feeling. If you feel like you can or want to achieve something, even if you have some doubts – go for it.
Bethan
Can you briefly introduce yourself and your role in within the company?
I am an Account Executive, meaning that I support the Account Managers and Directors with client work. My role is really varied, one day I could be at a consultation event in Mid Wales, and the next I could be writing a blog about the Welsh Labour leadership contest! I used to be an Intern at T47 whilst I was completing my masters and became an Account Executive upon completion.
What advice would you give to other women aspiring to achieve similar success in their careers?
For me, my biggest piece of advice is to not be afraid to have a voice. When you are in a room of people at a conference or a meeting or at a seminar, remind yourself that you are equally as worthy to be in that room and you should let yourself be heard.
Who inspires you? Why?
It has to be the women of the Welsh suffrage movement, including Margaret Mackworth, Annie Kenney, Ethel Barker and Grace Scholefield. These women were the focus of my undergraduate dissertation in History, and I will forever be inspired by how they entered male spaces as well as creating their own to ensure that their beliefs could be heard.
Hayley
Can you briefly introduce yourself and your role in within the company?
I’m Hayley and I’m the Operations Manager for T47. I cover a wide variety of areas within the business, providing day to day support to staff to ensure key business activities and requirements are fulfilled. The role is varied, covering elements of administration, finance and liaison with external HR consultants.
What were some key turning points or milestones in your career?
I think the biggest turning point for me in my career happened pretty early on when I landed the role of Specialist Typist in the Security & Investigation sector of a major company. At that time, I was the only female out of a team of 30. I was fortunate to have good leaders who encouraged me to progress resulting in promotions to management level and a 30 year career with the same company.
What advice would you give to other women aspiring to achieve similar success in their careers?
Listen and learn from those around you and develop your skills set as much as possible, this will open up more opportunities for you to progress. It’s important to be a team player but, equally, so is being a self-starter. Try and pre-empt what is needed before being asked for it. Think ahead and find new ways to improve your performance and support your team in achieving their own goals.
Kate
Can you briefly introduce yourself and your role in within the company?
I’m Kate and I’ve been working at T47 since May 2022, having decided to take on something new after my maternity leave. Since joining the company as a Senior Account Manager, I was recently promoted to Account Director and I oversee a range of projects which currently include housing and renewable energy.
Can you share a project or achievement you are particularly proud of?
I’ve worked on some great projects, but I am most proud of the first solar project that I delivered for T47. There were a number of challenges along the way but delivering a project from consultation to planning submission has been a very exciting achievement!
What makes you proud to work at T4/7?
The T47 team are so lovely and we’re all really supportive of each other. Whenever it gets a bit hectic, someone is always willing to step in and help.
What advice would you give to other women aspiring to achieve similar success in their careers?
Be yourself! Don’t be afraid to show your personality. And ask lots of questions.
Sara
Can you briefly introduce yourself and your role in within the company?
I have worked in the renewable energy industry for 12 years and joined T47 almost a year ago. I’m responsible for helping clients to deliver public consultations around large infrastructure projects, such as onshore wind farms or grid connections. This involves the development of materials for use at events through to acting as a media spokesperson if required.
What were some key turning points or milestones in your career?
Being made redundant has actually turned into a positive step for me. It enabled me to stand back and make decisions about what I wanted to do with my life, and also what I didn’t want to do. Some of my first jobs were not positive experiences and I try hard to make sure colleagues just starting their working careers have a better experience than I did.
What makes you proud to work at T4/7?
Most of the projects we work on are for renewable energy or sustainability projects – I feel proud that we work with clients that are trying to make things better for the future.
What advice would you give to other women aspiring to achieve similar success in their careers?
Not everyone you meet in your career will be on your side – don’t dwell on that. Look for those that celebrate and support you and do the same for others. Go outside your comfort zone sometimes – you never know where it might lead you.
Holly
What advice would you give to other women aspiring to achieve similar success in their careers?
When I first graduated from university, a lot of my peers were doing graduate schemes, but this didn’t feel ‘right’ for me at the time. Instead, I decided to travel abroad volunteering and teaching English in Chile and Spain, before coming back to the UK to start my career. My advice would be to follow a path which feels authentic to you and your goals, the skills you can acquire from non-conventional means will transfer into the professional workplace, whilst also helping you grow personally.
Who inspires you? Why?
From as long as I can remember I have always been surrounded by strong women. My grandmother was a Jewish French refugee who fled from Nazi occupied Europe in the 1930s and my mother had her fair-share of adversity while raising me and my 4 brothers. I was lucky to go to an all-girls secondary school, which provided me with some respite from my house of four brothers! It also introduced me to sisterhood, something I didn’t realise I needed. I am inspired by the female friends and relationships I am lucky to have in my life, who all encompass different traits including compassion, empathy, determination, passion, directness, leadership, intelligence, kindness, and hilarious-ness. Most importantly, they show me that there are so many different and wonderful ways to be a woman.
Poppy
Can you briefly introduce yourself and your role within the company?
I’m Poppy and I recently started as an intern at Thirty4/7. I provide support on the ongoing projects, doing media monitoring, stakeholder databases, etc. Beginning this internship has been a big milestone for me! While working at Thirty4/7, I have learnt a lot from my established female co-workers and am proud to be involved in a company that works hard towards ensuring a greener future.
Conclusion
International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder to celebrate women’s triumphs and remain vigilant in addressing the persistent challenges they face.
Let us continue advocating for equality, supporting each other, and fostering a world where every woman can thrive.
It is impossible to discuss the history of International Women’s Day and its continued importance in a single article. We have therefore provided a few select links below for further reading on International Women’s Day, as well as highlighting different charities and initiatives both locally and internationally.
- International Women’s Day (amnesty.org)
- Home – Cardiff Women’s Aid (cardiffwomensaid.org.uk)
- Home : Welsh Women’s Aid (welshwomensaid.org.uk)
- IWD: About International Women’s Day (internationalwomensday.com)
- Equal Pay Day: Our Flagship Campaign (fawcettsociety.org.uk)
- We are the Women’s Equality Network Wales – Womens Equality Network Wales (wenwales.org.uk)