FWD and Women in Wholesale join forces

FWD has partnered with Women in Wholesale (WiW) as the organisations aim to take the sector’s focus on diversity to the next level.

The union has come following five years of growth for the WiW movement, which was initially set up by Elit Rowland to raise awareness of the gender inequality in the wholesale industry.

And now with the support of FWD, that discussion – along with the focus on inclusion and mental health awareness – will receive another boon.

“With this partnership, we can achieve great lobbying influence – helping us to truly achieve the change that we want to see,” WiW Chair, Clare Bocking.

Since 2016, WiW has grown into an education network to inspire, support and progress women working in wholesale, and worked with Wholesale News to deliver a series of webinars and an online conference in 2020.

While Rowland will continue to run the WiW brand and events, the co-ordination with FWD will raise its profile further.

The partnership is a good fit, as FWD has championed the need for greater diversity and has dedicated 50% of bursaries and awards to females since its inception – naming its first female chair in Coral Rose at the end of 2019.

“The past 10 months have taught us that creating an inclusive work environment is not just about gender and race equality – it’s about mental health and wellbeing too,” said Rose.

“Working together, we will be able to expand our support and knowledge to the sector, creating a truly effective workforce in the pandemic era.”

Clare Bocking Coral Rose Elit Rowland FWD Women in Wholesale