Turner & Townsend Middle East has become the first member from the construction industry to join the Middle East Inclusion & Diversity Council (ME I&D Council), demonstrating its commitment to fostering inclusion in the region and positioning itself as an influential leader in the industry. The ME I&D Council, led by a steering committee composed of CEOs and leaders from prominent organizations such as PwC Middle East, Citi, Dow, LinkedIn, Omnicom Media Group (MENA), and Pfizer, aims to bring together like-minded companies in the Middle East private sector to drive positive change in the workplace and industry as a whole.
The need to address inclusion and diversity is underscored by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which estimates that the Middle East and North Africa region loses around $575 billion annually due to legal and social barriers that hinder women’s access to jobs and careers.
Turner & Townsend has been welcomed into the ME I&D Council based on its ambition and commitment to implementing a diversity and inclusion strategy that is aligned with its business, including efforts to promote the advancement of women into leadership roles and expand bias education across the organization. As a member of the Council, Turner & Townsend will have the opportunity to share its experiences and contribute to shaping the conversation about diversity and inclusion with other members, who represent diverse perspectives from across the private sector. All Council members have pledged to promote gender diversity within their organizations and track progress, with each entrusting and empowering a senior executive team member with this responsibility.
Alison Jamieson, Director, Business Generation, Middle East and member of Turner & Townsend’s Middle East Diversity and Inclusion Board said: “Being welcomed into the Middle East Inclusion & Diversity Council affirms our commitment to creating an inclusive culture, and to building a more diverse, equal and equitable business, where everyone can succeed.”
Alison continued: “As a leading employer in our industry in the region, we recognise the critical role we play in ensuring women are both welcome to work, and able to benefit from our ongoing commitment to making diversity and inclusion a core part of our company culture.”
Hani Ashkar, PwC Middle East Senior Partner said: “Our purpose at the Middle East Inclusion & Diversity Council is to foster collaboration and collective action to drive positive change for our clients and communities. By leveraging our collective resources and expertise, we aim to empower organisations to create an equitable workplace that values and celebrates diverse perspectives.”