This Friday, March 8, Cornwall Council is joining the worldwide celebration of International Women's Day. It's a time to honour the achievements of women and promote equality for all.
With the theme #InspireInclusion, the council is highlighting the diverse roles and inspiring stories of women within its ranks, underscoring the importance of gender equality and inclusivity.
Here are just some examples of the inspiring women who work at the council:
Lauren Clarke – Emergency Management Officer
Lauren joined the council last November and works as part of a team that plans ahead for major incidents, ranging from widespread flooding and natural disasters, to managing situations involving mass fatalities and emergency mortuaries.
She said:
“I can honestly say that I have learnt something new each day since joining the team and it is great to work with such friendly people where everybody has a different skillset and pool of knowledge”
Abigail Crosby – Senior Marine Officer
In her role as Senior Marine Officer within the Nature Recovery Team, Abigail takes on the responsibility of being a passionate and proactive advocate for Cornwall's coastal and marine environments.
She says:
“I worked for 16 years at Cornwall Wildlife Trust but am now honoured to bring my experience and knowledge to such a forward-thinking council that puts the environment at the heart of its decision making.”
Veryan Jones – Senior Environment Officer
Veryan grew up in Cornwall and has been working at Cornwall Council for 20 years.
She said:
“I always wanted to work to help protect the place that I love. I enjoy working with many of the pioneering Cornish businesses who are leading the way in sustainability and environmental social governance. I love being part of the innovation and creativity that makes Cornwall stand out and makes us all feel proud about where we live.”
Holly Sykes - Head of Electoral Services and the Chief Internal Auditor
Holly grew up in Truro and now lives in Newquay, bringing up two teenagers. She is also Chair of the Newquay Surf Life Saving Club and a Trustee for a multi-academy trust.
She said:
“I very much enjoy my role at Cornwall Council – working with a fantastic team of professionals. With the forthcoming major elections – the Police and Crime Commissioner in May 2024, a General Election at some point this year and the Unitary, Parish and Town in May 2025 - it is a very busy time.”
Sarah Cotton - Education and Community Officer
Sarah’s role is to speak to people in the community, schools and local groups about waste and recycling.
Her enthusiasm to develop and share her knowledge on waste and resources will continue to have a positive impact on the community and environment in the years to come.
She said:
“I enjoy engaging with the public and answering their questions about how they can waste less and recycle more.”
Kimberley Johnson - Newquay Harbour Master
As the Harbour Master Kimberly has the day-to-day responsibility for managing the operation, administration and control of Newquay Harbour and has been in the role for 18 months.
She said:
“Prior to this I was a Deck Officer within the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and came ashore into this role to enjoy a better balance between work and family life. The best part of the Harbour Master position is bringing about positive change.”
Jane Lyons – Elections Manager
Jane is the Elections Manager and her team organises all elections, referendums and BID Ballots for the Cornwall area.
She said:
“When someone asks what I do, they always say ‘so you only work one day every year then?’ The work involved with the above is always underestimated and we work to strict deadlines to be able to get to polling day and make sure all our work is accurate and timely.
“The most exciting challenge at the moment is organising three major elections within 18 months. We can be given a minimum of six weeks to organise this and therefore are always on tenterhooks not knowing when we have to spring into action.”
Gemma Hall - Integrated Network and Partnerships Manager
Gemma is responsible for all operational aspects of Cornwall’s Local Bus network.
She said:
“I have been with the Transport Coordination Service for eight years, starting as a School Transport Officer and then made the move to the Public Transport side of the team to focus more on buses in 2020.
“I’m very proud of the bus network that we have in Cornwall and consider myself fortunate to have a job that I love that’s turned into a career that I have a genuine passion for - enhanced further by having a fantastic and experienced team to work with.”
Victoria Parker - Assistant Waste Contract team leader
She said:
“Waste management has such an impact on our lives, our environment and the future of our planet.
“I am proud to have a job that’s making a positive difference every day. The ever-increasing number of women working in the waste industry are a great inspiration and encouragement to me.”
Alison Bulman – Strategic Director, Care and Wellbeing
Ali joined the council’s senior management team just over 18 months ago and her role focuses on all aspects of caring for vulnerable people in Cornwall.
She said:
"I am honoured to be the Strategic Director for Care and Wellbeing in Cornwall Council. I get to work with women across the Council, NHS, Voluntary Sector and within our communities who are an inspiration every day.”
Victoria Wallens-Hancock - Assistant Chief Fire Officer
Victoria joined Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service in 2005 as a temporary risk analyst. Having undertaken various roles and management positions within Cornwall, she was promoted to the role of Assistant Chief Fire Officer in 2017, the first female Principal Officer in Cornwall.
She said:
“I am incredibly passionate about supporting and mentoring others, and I was voted onto the national executive committee for Women in the Fire Service in June 2022.
“I also support careers events and volunteer on the Citizenship 4 Life programme providing mentoring for young people. I often pinch myself as I never envisaged my career to head in the direction it has.”
Sarah-Jane Brown - Senior Environmental Protection officer
Sarah manages a team of officers that deliver the stray dog service who investigate, educate and enforce on environmental crime issues such a fly-tipping.
She said:
“It’s a really varied role with no two days the same, offering challenges and some great team working. It is important we engage with the public in open, honest and fair way around issues that are often contentious.
“I have worked in the environmental health field for over 25 years with the council and love the work and the positive differences we can make to people’s lives. It is great to be part of a supportive environment with a great team around me who support and help each other.”
Cllr Linda Taylor, Leader of Cornwall Council, said:
“As Cornwall Council marks International Women's Day, the stories and voices of women who play crucial roles across its services serve as a testament to the progress made in achieving gender parity and building a more inclusive and equitable future for One and All.”
Kate Kennally, Cornwall Council’s Chief Executive, said:
“This year’s theme “inspiring inclusion” really resonates with me. I am immensely proud of the changes in society that have taken place in my lifetime which have seen women take up senior positions in all walks of life, including in Cornwall Council.
“Alongside myself as Chief Executive, women are in a number of the most senior roles including the Council Leader, Council Chairwoman, Chief Fire Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Strategic Leads for Neighbourhoods, Adult Social Care and Together for Families to name just a few. These are all women with inspiring stories to tell.”
Cornwall Council’s commitment to gender equality
Cornwall Council is committed to gender equality and has taken steps to create an inclusive work environment where women are empowered to thrive and contribute meaningfully.
It was recently the first local authority in the UK to be awarded Fertility Friendly accreditation by Fertility Matters at Work.
The acknowledgement followed a period of developing extensive fertility support, including guidance for employees and managers, regular fertility cafés, and manager training.
This work included:
- Paid time off for employees for all fertility related appointments
- Quarterly Fertility Cafes offered to employees seeking support and advice
- Practical support in the workplace such as providing a fridge to store IVF medication, if required
Kate Kennally added:
“It’s a small step that will ultimately make a big difference to our workforce. This work is supported passionately across the organisation, and I believe it will ensure our employees feel well supported and ultimately helping us to attract and retain our most valuable asset – our people."
