I am delighted to be co-hosting a brand new podcast about female leadership from two big champions of women in the workplace, HELLO! and M&S who have joined forces to celebrate women leading and succeeding in the modern workplace. This project has been a real labour of love and comes about following a conversation between M&S Head of Corporate Affairs Victoria McKenzie-Gould and I, where we wanted to do something to support female leaders and amplify their voices so that they may inspire others on a different stage of this journey. Stats show that female entrepreneurs represent huge economic potential for the UK economy – in fact £250 billion of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as men (as found by the Rose Review in 2023). But to do this, they need increased support.
The podcast is called 'Shake the Table' and the name is inspired by a phrase used in a speech by trailblazing American politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. It is encouraging us not to simply take a seat at the 'top table', but to make change, to make a difference and to make it count when we get there! A philosophy I am completely in support of.
It is encouraging us not to simply take a seat at the 'top table', but to make change, to make a difference and to make it count when we get there!
It made me think of whether I have had any 'shake the table' moments in my own career and one that springs to mind is back in 2006 when I was close to accepting a position as Associate Editor at Glamour magazine, and was asked to attend a second interview with the (now former) HR Director at Conde Nast, to 'seal the deal'. Her first question to me was: 'Which school did you go to?' followed by 'What does your father do for a living?' and, after that, 'What label are you wearing today?' At age 28 I found this line of questioning a little surprising, and it felt as though these questions were clearly devised to understand whether I was 'Upper Class enough' for the hallowed halls of Conde Nast. This riled me instantly, so I took a deep breath and proudly, confidently, replied with the name of the very large comprehensive secondary school I had attended in North London, the fact that my father was a teacher, and that I was wearing top-to-toe Zara (or suchlike). No boarding school or Ralph Lauren over here. Soz.
The table felt shaken (as did my nerves) when I left that meeting as I genuinely thought I may not now get the job. Luckily the then editor, Jo Elvin, told me to ignore what happened as she was hiring me regardless. I hope I may have given that HR Director something to think about. The experience served to fuel my passion to work in women's magazines – as I told her that surely we had an important job to do, to be inclusive, inspirational and supportive of ALL young women in Britain, not just those who could afford to shop in Harvey Nicks? I felt as though I was needed more than ever.
Since then, I have felt it my duty to tackle tough subjects and not sugar-coat women's issues, because journalism has a responsibility to represent as many aspects of life as we can. I'll tell you more about my mission to support anti-FGM (female genital mutilation) campaigning in a future blog post. Some women do not get a chance to sit at the table – so we also have a duty to use whatever platform we have, to invite them there; to raise their voices. Which is another interesting angle on the podcast title.
So far we have released three episodes, welcoming female business leaders who continue to shake the table in their own careers and impart their tips and journey to get there. The guests include Michelle Feeney, luxury beauty luminary and founder and CEO of British fragrance brand Floral Street; Lucy MacNamara, founder of womenswear brand, Aspiga London; and Dr Tessy Ojo CBE, CEO of The Diana Award – the only charity founded in the name of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
Do give it a listen, subscribe and share - it would mean a lot.
Let me know if you have had a Shake The Table moment in your career? Comment under my post on Instagram @rosiejnixon.
The table felt shaken (as did my nerves) when I left that meeting as I genuinely thought I may not now get the job. Luckily the then editor, Jo Elvin, told me to ignore what happened as she was hiring me regardless. I hope I may have given that HR Director something to think about.
Comments