International Women's Day 2019: Carole Carson #BalanceforBetter

With today marking International Women's Day 2019, we spent some time talking to Carole Carson; Chair of Board at SCL Education Group, to discuss gender balance and equality, and how SCL tackle bias. 

This year's theme celebrates #BalanceforBetter, and pays particular attention to gender balance within business, sport and communities.

Carole, tell us about your greatest career achievements to-date?

I have had many great career achievements, especially as a woman, from starting a long career at BT Plc, working my way up to a very senior position, to starting work within a sector whereby you support individuals to be the very best they can be; the Training and Learning Provider world.

A great achievement was being appointed as the CEO of Babington, an independent training organization, backed by Private Equity, where I had full responsibility for the growth, driving a strong effective culture, delivering high value apprenticeships for both SME and mid-market employers. I did so through exceptional leadership, having the knowledge and through building a high performing senior leadership team. The results, and the great achievement for me were many; supporting thousands of young adults on the start of their careers and thereby supporting many employers, giving many opportunities for personal growth to my team, building a business from 2M turnover to 23M turnover and then ultimately supporting the communities in which we live.

With this year's International Women's Day theme being #BalanceforBetter, how do SCL tackle bias, gender balance and equality?

At SCL they see the individual, not if the person is a man or a woman; this is so key, especially in the sector where it has been so male prominent historically. Their mantra is to support everyone ; to be the very best they can be – that is why I wanted to come back support SCL as a Non-Executive; supporting young adults at the start of their careers and what better way through the power of education and coaching. A skill that you use nearly every day of your life.

And what would you say to a young woman in business to inspire them to achieve?

My advice to any young woman in business is to have belief, belief in yourself and belief in what you want to achieve; and just go for it. Build your knowledge and use it wisely. Understand the business that you want to work in, have confidence and stay focused.  Build a great team around. Always be thorough, do what you say you will do. Strive to be the person that people count on. When something is asked of you, put yourself in your co-workers shoes, your customers shoes and strive to deliver excellence.