International Women’s Day fell on the 8th March, and this year’s theme is #BreakTheBias. We have plenty of fabulous women working at bbd, past and present who have all had their own experiences with bias across many aspects of their lives. Learn from their insights and together, we can #BreakTheBias.

Lauren-Eve Calamari, Senior Account Director

From my professional perspective, I feel times have somewhat slightly evolved with women in the workplace doing just as good a job as men, but from a personal perspective, I have to say that there is still too much emphasis and pressure on a woman having to be settled down, married and with kids by a certain age, and if you’re not then ‘what is wrong with you’. I say ‘f**k that’ – As a woman, you should not be defined by your life choices to be single, instead you should be celebrated for your life achievements, especially when you have done it on your own. Take buying my first home, many people said ‘you can’t knock down walls and rip up flooring’…well, hammer in hand, my polite response was ‘watch me’. It might have taken me longer, I might have injured myself along the way, but I did it on my own.

sarah compton

Sarah Compton, Senior Copywriter

The bias I’ve come up against…started in primary school, forced to play dollies with the girls, not run with the boys. At secondary school, forced to wear a skirt, despite wanting to wear trousers. Being made to do Home Economics when I wanted to do Motor Mechanics. Being told by the Careers Guidance woman that I should try nursing or teaching when I said I wanted to be a vet. In my second ever job interview, aged 22, being asked by the man in charge of the agency, ‘When are you planning to get knocked up?’ Over a series of agency jobs, being overlooked for management training/career development as, ‘You’ll be having babies soon.’ (I’m now 48 and still childfree by choice, a position I’ve been vocal about my whole life.) It’s exhausting having to fight for things that would have been easily attainable had I been a man, and make yourself a ‘difficult woman’ in the process. Bias is incredibly stubborn to remove. And until the government and police properly address the misogyny inherent in our society, breaking the bias as individuals will be an uphill struggle. Of course, I believe in doing what I can to call out bias when I see it, but I also think…why should women have to spend their time and energy fixing a problem that’s not of their making?

Jenny Clark, her son Jonathan, and business partner, David

Jenny Clark, bbd Founder and Powerhouse

Powerhouse women all have to start somewhere. Jenny Clark took over the reins of bbd in the early 90s following the death of her husband, David, and has played a key role in creating the inclusive, determined and relentless culture that bbd still owns today. Becoming the head of a predominantly male company definitely drove Jenny’s ambition to succeed and show those men who’s boss (literally). She specifically showed her strength when she bought out ‘the other half’ of the company, where the then-stakeholder talked down to her as a woman and suggested that ‘her half was less valuable than theirs’ (yes, you might need to reread that). Embracing bbd fully as her own, showing respect, transparency and ambition in the face of adversity, Jenny set the standards high. Her advice to any women wanting to get ahead in the business world: Believe in yourself – everyone started somewhere. Don’t get pushed into the corner and respect each other. We are all doing the best that we can.

ellie watson

Ellie Watson, Content Editor

Breaking the bias for women in the workplace, gosh it is loaded and vitally important for everyone. How can we recognise dangerous patterns of thinking and speaking when it comes to women? I certainly hear some concerning jokes and comments are brushed off with a laugh and without a second thought that need to be called out. In my last workplace, I was one of only 2 women in an incredibly male dominated team (welcome to the world of QA and development!). There was a joke that went around before I joined that team that – as much of an asset as I would be – the guys should invest in some noise cancelling headphones ready for my arrival. That’s what I got for being a woman that hadn’t been afraid to stand up for herself up until that point. The examples go on and on of ways that I was pushed back into a corner for attempting to retake control from domineering and disruptive interactions with senior level males. It might not always be that obvious, it can come down to the sexism of office jokes where we’re encouraged to laugh with someone about how much of a nag or burden ‘the wife’ is. They’ve immediately stripped that women of her individuality and achievements to the point of being referred to only as ‘the wife’ and ‘a nag’, whilst simultaneously adding to the crap narrative about women generally. It’s not only cheap and tactless but a huge dangerous red flag. Keep an ear out for people that display this sort of behaviour, both in and out of work. Yes it’s all kinds of uncomfortable, but we have to call it out. There’s no progress until we can do that.

Pompee Kalita, SEO and PPC Executive

When I look around me today, I see many inspiring women, some of whom I am fortunate to work with and some of whom are members of my family. I come from a culture where men dominate everything and women are relegated to a supporting role with little autonomy. I see the expressions on people’s faces when they learn that my parents only have two daughters and no son. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family that has always encouraged and empowered me to pursue my heart and goals rather than marrying me off at the age of 20! Today, I am a successful woman on a path of development and growth, demonstrating to the world that women are unique. We don’t have to live in a world where men and women compete; rather, we should celebrate our differences and work together. Motivate and empower those around you, showing the world that we are capable of accomplishing anything we set our minds to. This is not a competition, celebrate the women around you.

Josie McLachlan, Junior Account Director

It’s SO hard to pick just one topic to discuss International women’s day… But one of the biases I personally feel is prominent these days is in ‘the balance’ women feel pressured to achieve at work.
As a woman, if you’re gentle with your approach, you are weak and not listened to. If you’re firm with your approach, you are bossy and demanding. Where is the balance? Everyone always talks about this mysterious balance where the perfect woman sits on her perfect stool and smiles and everyone loves her …
I think we need to start positively commenting on women for being brave and bold, or calming attentive, whichever it may be – OWN IT, CELEBRATE IT!

Imi Byers, Copywriter

As a woman, there’s always an uncertainty whether you’re being taken seriously or not, or if you’re valued for the work and effort you put in, and not how you look or dress. Overpriced goods are sold to us to help us be the optimal woman: calm, supportive, motherly and sexy. But if we want to drive female equality, we can’t be seen to enjoy being feminine and ‘girly’. We’re told not to be weak, but we can’t be bossy. We’re told to be fun, but we can’t be wild. We’re told to be strong, but we can’t be muscley. We’re told to be curvy and feminine, but we can’t be fat. You can never please everyone, and I feel as a woman, society has carved a narrative that puts pressure on women to tick all the boxes. And it’s tiring.

Cleo Symes, Account Executive

As a young woman in her mid 20’s – I am starting to feel the pressure of ‘growing up’. I am surrounded by the noise of people asking ‘So, when are you going to have a baby?’ or ‘Don’t you think it’s time to settle down and not go out as much’. But to be quite frank, neither of the two are on my agenda. Just because I am a woman in her mid 20’s does not mean I am planning on having children – or any at all! And so what, I go out and act a bit crazy? Not all females have to go out with their partner and act classy. For me – stop pressuring me to fit into people’s expectations or stereotypes. Would it be so bad that I am career focused? Or is it only men that are allowed to provide? All of these questions because I am a woman? Or because you are nosey? It’s no one else’s business but mine.

We are lucky enough to be working in an environment where men also recognise gender bias. Rhuari, one of our talented designers tells us about his experiences and how certain narratives are weaved into our lives from a young age.

Rhuari Kirkwood, Designer

The other day I heard someone say “I am rarely in the presence of great men, however I am constantly in the presence of great women”. I’m aware I can’t offer an opinion formed from a first-hand experience on female gender bias, however that doesn’t mean I’m unaware to it’s everyday presence. Even in my school days I remember the strict and extensive list of rules that girls were given around their uniform, while us boys got by with scruffy untucked shirts, creased trousers, muddy shoes and in general, far more freedom around what we wear. This may seem a minor point to some, but this type of teaching in such early stages of life is not only highly unfair, but sets the wrong example and can be a catalyst in placing the male ego above others, unnecessarily skewing the mindset of many. If it wasn’t already common knowledge, women have to face far more challenges in life than others, and early experiences such as these can and should be so easily changed to result in a fairer and equal playing field. I’ve only mentioned one hurdle here in what seems like an uphill marathon of hurdles that women face, which is why I reiterate my initial quote – I am constantly in the presence of great women.

It takes balls and brains to run an agency as diverse and passionate as bbd. But here is the woman who makes it happen.

Jess

Jessica Williams, Company Director

The theme #BreakingTheBias stirred many conversations around my memories of refused handshakes, unexpected coffee requests, inappropriate social touching, and uncomfortable meeting introductions. But inspired by those around me and reminded of my current position I wanted this extract to focus on how we work towards breaking the bias.

I am privileged to be in a position of power as a female in my agency, and with this comes all the great responsibilities you expect (keep clients successful, deliver great work, increase efficiencies). I now hope I am confident and experienced enough to challenge any bias I am faced with, and I now understand that my best use of power comes from creating an environment where bias is not easily spawned.

I implore us all, but especially anyone in a position to create change…

Be aware of your own biases first. Act always with integrity and always err on the side of kindness.

Being considered, consistently will reap rewards indefinitely and usually keep you fair.

Always challenge yourself to take the time to spot those who are struggling quietly and those who are excelling humbly. Lift others up whenever you can and always make room for another voice.

Pause. Ignore your own ego. Give second chances. Allow for times out. And remember we are all human.

Open mindedness will always break the bias.


These are only a few of the stories us at bbd have to tell. Moving forward, let’s build workplaces where women thrive, where women’s choices are empowered and women’s careers are celebrated. Thank you to all women around the world for everything you do. Together, we can #BreakTheBias.

bbd women breaking the bias