“Enabling women to realise they can have a fulfilling and successful career within metals”
Under the motto "Women can do aluminium, too", the "Women With Metal – the ALUMINIUM Awards" will be presented for the first time at ALUMINIUM 2024. We spoke to Kirsty Davies-Chinnock, CEO and founder of Women with Metal – she is an iconic figure who has proven the motto of the awards and has been working successfully in the metal sector for decades, advocating for the industry and building strength.
In the interview, she emphasises the importance of the awards for the advancement of women in the aluminium industry and how important visibility is for female leaders and allies. She gives insight into her personal experiences and successes and shares recommendations for women pursuing a career in this field. She also recognises the need for companies to create a supportive and inclusive work environment.
Bar ohne Namen
Entschlossen verweigert sich Savage, der Bar einen Namen zu geben. Stattdessen sind drei klassische Design-Symbole das Logo der Trinkstätte in Dalston: ein gelbes Quadrat, ein rotes Viereck, ein blauer Kreis. Am meisten wurmt den sympathischen Franzosen dabei, dass es kein Gelbes-Dreieck-Emoji gibt. Das erschwert auf komische Weise die Kommunikation. Der Instagram Account lautet: a_bar_with_shapes-for_a_name und anderenorts tauchen die Begriffe ‘Savage Bar’ oder eben ‚Bauhaus Bar‘ auf.
Für den BCB bringt Savage nun sein Barkonzept mit und mixt für uns mit Unterstützung von Russian Standard Vodka an der perfekten Bar dazu.
Kirsty, how did the "Women With Metal – the ALUMINIUM Awards" come up and what significance do the awards have for you?
On the 10th October 2023 I hosted the first Women with Metal Conference in the UK and three days later Yasmin Ouiriemmi from RX got in touch with me to suggest working together for the ALUMINIUM World Trade Fair. After several conversations exploring how we could collaborate “Women With Metal – the Aluminium Awards” was born.
From a single day conference with 100 delegates to then be working with ALUMINIUM to bring the concept of Women with Metal to mainland Europe is incredibly exciting.
How can women working in the aluminium industry benefit from the "Women With Metal – the ALUMINIUM Awards"?
Visibility of female leaders can be an issue and by showcasing some fantastic people who are successful in their careers in the aluminium industry, we can not only encourage the next generation to join us but can hopefully show people within the industry that there are some fantastic opportunities for them. I also hope that together we can celebrate allies and companies who are committed to equity in the workplace – which gives so many benefits.
What significance does the aluminium industry have in your eyes – for the metal industry, for women, for the whole world?
Aluminium is incredibly sustainable, and it is so great to see companies and organisations now talking about this to engage with younger generations who are really keen to explore ways of reducing energy. In my day job we polish a lot of aluminium that is then anodised and fabricated into cladding for buildings, and it not only looks fantastic it is safe which, as we’ve seen from recent tragedies, is something architects and designers are embracing for the future.
What trends and developments do you currently see in the aluminium industry and how do they influence the work of Women With Metal?
Sustainability is a huge factor and there is a lot of development happening around this. For me that links directly to Women with Metal and how we can innovate our workplaces to sustain growth and to take advantages of opportunities.
How did the foundation of Women With Metal start, what inspired you in particular?
I joke that I accidentally held a sold-out conference for the first event, and that’s not far from the truth. Because I am quite visible in the metals sector and had started a podcast, someone mentioned that there were golf days and football tournaments but nothing to necessarily appeal to the women in the sector and they suggested I held an afternoon tea. Within 48 hours I had booked a venue and signed up several speakers for a day’s conference. I know a lot of fantastic women in the metals sector and bringing them together was joyous – I wish I’d done it twenty years ago!
“Confidence. Knowledge. Connections.”
What role does Women With Metal play in the advancement of women in the metal industry and what concrete measures are taken to achieve this goal?
As we are so new, we are creating our own role and this can be summed up in the key points of our first conference which was “Confidence. Knowledge. Connections”.
I hope that “Women With Metal – the ALUMINIUM Awards” will enable all the nominees to feel a new confidence in their abilities, and by networking at ALUMINIUM World Trade Fair with other nominees and finalists they will be able to make new connections.
Our panel discussion and keynote speakers will be bringing knowledge to the event and hopefully this can grow to develop Women With Metal overall.
Can you tell us about your own experiences and successes in the metal industry and how these have influenced your work with Women With Metal?
I have worked in the metals sector for thirty-five years and one of the key lessons I have learned is that sometimes you have to take a risk. Whether that’s investment in new plant or launching a conference, taking the risk is what helps us grow as individuals. With Women With Metal is about consolidating my legacy from my career and enabling other women to realise they can have a fulfilling and successful career within metals.
What tips would you like to share with women who are looking for a career in the metal industry or are already working in it and are looking for opportunities to develop and succeed?
For those who haven’t considered a career in the metal industry I would highly recommend it as it’s really exciting and with the advent of more sustainable metals such as the developments within aluminium, you can make a real difference. Many skills are transferable, and I’d recommend looking at your strengths and how they can work within the metals sector.
For those already working in the industry who are looking to advance their career, reach out to someone you admire and ask them to mentor you. Most people will be more than happy to help you succeed and grow.
How can companies in the aluminium industry help to create a supportive and inclusive working environment for women and promote their professional development – without gender-washing?
The industry has changed dramatically over the thirty-five years I have been involved and a lot of companies are working really hard to create supportive environments. Unfortunately, they don’t always promote this, so potential employees don’t see the opportunities. We need, as a sector, to make sure that we challenge any negative perceptions about our industry.
For companies looking to provide a more inclusive environment, the first step is communication and listening to the ideas your team have and engaging them to help implement solutions.
Internal mentoring for professional development and allowing individuals – men or women – to grow their networks and learn from others is incredibly beneficial and shows your level of trust in them.
What roles can trade fairs like ALUMINIUM play in addressing gender gaps and what are you most looking forward to when you visit ALUMINIUM 2024?
This will be my first visit to ALUMINIUM, and I am excited to meet so many influential people within the aluminium sector. I think trade fairs now are instrumental in peer development and learning with the programs they provide so they offer a well-rounded overview of the industry and exciting potential futures. Addressing the gender gap as part of this is essential for the growth of the sector and by facilitating discussion on being open to change there really is no end to the opportunities that can be seized.
Many thanks to Kirsty, for these impressive interview.
About Women With Metal
Women With Metal is dedicated to establishing and empowering women and allies in the metal industry, advocating for comprehensive support, recognition, and advancement of women in the field. The annual conference serves as a platform for exchange, knowledge transfer and empowerment, enabling women to advance their careers and gain the confidence needed to excel in the metal industry. Founded by Kirsty Davies-Chinnock, CEO of Professional Polishing Services Limited and Director of the British Stainless Steel Association, Women With Metal draws on her 35 years of experience in the industry to address its challenges and drive positive change.
