Kellogg’s UK reaches gender parity target ahead of 2025 goal

01-Mar-2023 - Last updated on 01-Mar-2023 at 11:47 GMT

Kellogg's UK has achieved its target of a 50:50 representation in the workplace. Pic: GettyImages/fongfong2

The American multinational breakfast cereal giant has realised its ambition of having 50% and above of male and female representation at manager level in the UK, three years ahead of schedule.

The Special K and Pop Tarts maker is a foundational member of the LEAD Network (Leading Executives Advancing Diversity).

David Lawlor, president of Kellogg Europe, signed the LEAD CEO Pledge in 2019, which requires companies to commit to gender parity and help drive inclusion in the European retail and consumer goods industry.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) lies at the heart of the 117-year-old company, tracing back to its founder, W.K. Kellogg, who pioneered employing women in the workplace.

Since then, Kellogg’s has implemented industry-leading employee policies – such as those focusing on menopause, pregnancy loss and fertility treatment introduced in 2019. For this, it earned a spot on The Times’ Top 50 Employers for Women 2022.

The naked truth

According to Prospect's 2021 annual pension report, there was a 37.9% gap in pension earnings between women and men – more than twice the gender pay gap. On average, there is a difference in pension income by gender of about £7,000 a year.

Data from the BITC Gender Pay Gap Reporting Dashboard, 2022, notes on average, women receive only 86% of what men earn per hour for the same work.

“We are so proud to have reached our target as a result of our intentional focus on gender parity,” said Chris Silcock, Kellogg’s UK MD.

“We have accelerated our efforts around women in leadership and we have invested in developing and promoting female talent throughout our organisation.”

Everyone has a place at the table

“ED&I are part of our culture and purpose where everyone has a place at the table,” said Kellogg’s UK HR director Melanie Bowes.

“To have reached our 50:50 goal ahead of schedule is a testament to the work our teams have been doing to prioritise gender equality in the workplace. Our continued partnership with the LEAD Network, is as important as ever, to ensure we continue moving in the right direction.”

Kellogg Company in Europe is gearing up to launch its new employer brand this year, which heroes the faces and voices of Kellogg employees and centres around the tagline,

The initiative – termed ‘So, Make it Happen’ – brings to life the opportunities and high-performance culture that exists at the cereal and snacks company. However, Kellogg’s is aiming higher, pushing for an atmosphere of innovation and inclusion where employees can shape the future of the business.

“I believe we have created an environment and a culture where our female leaders not only belong but are shaping the future of the business,” added Silcock.

“We have built a pipeline of initiatives to ensure this isn’t just a moment, but a movement for our business and the benefits of making this progress are clear to us.”

Added Allyson Zimmermann, CEO of the LEAD Network, “Employers like Kellogg are a strong example of what commitment to making gender inequality a thing of the past looks like.

“Since signing the pledge in 2019, it has been an engaged partner and its results show what can be achieved with focus, investment and dedication.

“We call on all employers to be bolder, braver and faster in achieving the gender parity goal.”