International Women’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate the incredible people who make Researchbods what it is. With nearly 90% of our leadership team being women, we’re proud to be a company where talented people (especially women!) are leading the way.
This year’s theme #AccelerateAction reminds us that progress doesn’t just happen – it’s driven by people who challenge the status quo and push for meaningful change. At Researchbods, we believe in fostering an inclusive, empowering workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
And let’s be real – what makes a workplace great isn’t just the numbers. It’s the personalities, the passion, and the people behind it all. So, to mark the day, we threw a few fun and thought-provoking questions at two members of our leadership team to get some of their advice and inspiration.
Sarah Askew, our Innovation Director, shared that she’s been inspired by the great female bosses and senior colleagues she’s had throughout her career. Her very first boss in market research was a strong, successful woman who saw potential in her and helped her see it too. “She truly believed that I could do whatever she set me at – and subsequently, so did I.” That mentorship and encouragement helped shape Sarah’s career, and it’s something she now passes on to others.
For Frances Revel-Cooper, our Head of Custom Insight, inspiration comes from a closer-to-home source – her dad. “He has always had the soundest advice for work and life and has always been my biggest cheerleader” she says. “Some hard-hitting Colin-isms for all to enjoy: “cream always rises to the top”, “it’s all about balance” (classic Libran!) and “listen to that guy, he’s the head poncho” – I think he meant honcho.”
Sarah recalls hearing the quote “To increase your rate of success, you must first increase your rate of failure.” It stuck with her as someone who used to worry about getting things wrong. On the flip side, she was once told she wouldn’t be able to continue working as a qualitative researcher after having a child because of travel and long hours. “Nothing drives me more than being told I can’t do something” she laughs. She went on to find a flexible employer and proved them wrong.
Frances received a gem of advice early in her career: “Be visible.” Simply getting involved, sharing opinions, and showing up can open doors. She was also advised to “shut up and listen,” which she admits is solid advice that she sometimes chooses to take
When asked to pick a slogan for themselves, Sarah’s was: “Equal parts serious and silly.” She believes in bringing passion and focus to work while also making room for fun.
Frances sticks to a daily mantra: “Swallow the frog.” Tackling the hardest task first thing makes the rest of the day easier.
So how can we continue to #AccelerateAction for gender equality and inclusivity in the workplace? Sarah reflects that as a company, we’ve made great strides in recruiting women from non-traditional routes (e.g. via MRS Apprenticeships) and then supporting them in the workplace with enhanced wellbeing policies and a dedicated mentoring programme. But she also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the industry itself becomes more representative. “The research world is still very white. I’d like us to be involved in initiatives to build a more diverse workforce of women in insight.”
Frances pointed out to the value of flexible working, which has disproportionately benefited women in the workplace. “Growing and developing talent, regardless of gender, is so important as our industry navigates the changes that AI and automation bring. But ultimately, just having an honest dialogue about equality and inclusivity is the first step to change.”
We don’t just talk about inclusivity – we take action. Here are some of the ways we’re creating a supporting and empowering environment for women in our workplace:
At the end of the day, it’s the people that make Researchbods what it is. We’re lucky to have such an amazing team, and we love celebrating them – not just on International Women’s Day, but every day. And as we look ahead, we’re committed to taking real steps to #AccelerateAction, ensuring that progress continues and that everyone has a seat at the table.
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