To celebrate International Women’s Day, we caught up with some of the talented women in senior leadership roles within the business. We asked them about their day-to-day life and career progression so far, as at Fresenius Medical Care UK & Ireland, women pillar many key areas of our organisation. Here is what they had to say…
Our Head of Health Economics, Market Access and Product Management, Marie Beaumont, reflected on women who she looks up to. She told us, “I think if we look back through history, we’ve come such a long way. Two of my heroines within healthcare are Rosalind Franklin and Henrietta Lacks – two women who were instrumental in advancing medical research and knowledge that impacts every single human being on this planet, one consciously, one unconsciously. They were not recognised for their contribution back in the 1950s, but they are recognised now and that is down to a positive progressive cultural change in gender equality.”
“I’ve received brilliant support from Fresenius Medical Care. Having a ‘lockdown baby’, my Mum with chronic kidney disease and therefore classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, a role in the Senior Leadership Team with a cross-company remit, as well as looking after my own department, have contributed to a challenging and busy time. In periods of self-doubt, I have been supported and empowered by my manager, and strength has come from my colleagues within the Board and Senior Leadership Team, who all live the Fresenius values. On our Senior Leadership Team, we have a 50:50 split between men and women, we’re all seen as individuals, there on our own merit.”
We also spoke to Vici Browning, Regional HR Lead, Northern Central Europe, who said, “Fresenius Medical Care looks at each employee as an individual and recognises that we all bring something different to the team. We admire and appreciate those differences and encourage people to use their strengths every day at work. We work hard to listen and understand individuals and tailor their development and support. By viewing people through the lens of strengths, we ensure we have the right person, in the right role at the right time, no matter who they are. We empower and coach employees and this approach works across all ethnicities and genders.”
Tracey O’Sullivan, Fresenius Medical Care’s, Head of Procurement UK & Ireland, spoke to us about her work, “I am proud to work for Fresenius Medical Care because it is not just a job, but we make a difference to so many patients each day and that is so rewarding. I am proud that we have so many women in senior roles because I hope this inspires all women within the company at all levels to know they can reach the top and still balance a home life and children. Being open to asking for and receiving help, when needed, sets a positive mindset for all levels within the business. At times, you will need flexibility, other times you may need to put in longer hours at work. This doesn’t need to be in the office, it could be when you are at home, when you have put the kids to bed or come back from the gym. Look at role models who can help with your development and set your sights on achieving whatever ambition you set yourself, that’s what I did, and it has worked.”
Finally, Laura Bell, our Chief Financial Officer, explained, “Working for a company which embraces the benefits of having women in senior leadership roles makes me very proud. Having women in senior roles can provide a different set of skills and perspectives, helping to influence structural and cultural change in different ways to drive commercial excellence.”
She went on to say, “It’s no secret that even in today’s progressive society, women are very often still the primary caregiver in the family role, especially in the initial years after having children. One of the biggest ways we can offer support is to recognise that a woman does not lose all of her valuable skills and knowledge when she becomes a mother, but that she may need or want to work in a different way to allow her to balance the challenges of motherhood with the challenges of a rewarding career. I am very proud that at Fresenius Medical Care, we offer flexible working in most of our roles and do not see this as a barrier to career progression. I am a prime example, working 4 days a week since welcoming my oldest child and still progressing to the role of CFO.”
At Fresenius Medical Care UK and Ireland, we will continue to champion and support the inspiring women in senior leadership positions. We strive to empower all women throughout the business to seize every deserved opportunity, that comes their way.