In celebration of International Women’s Month, incomparable single-malt whisky brand, The Macallan in collaboration with Capital Club, an exclusive business and social hub for Nigerian elites, hosted the African Women on Board (AWB), a non-profit organisation dedicated to propelling African women into leadership roles, to an intimate roundtable conversation. The event was held at Nigeria’s first five-star private business and social club, the Capital Club Lagos, on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
Exploring the theme of “Women’s Leadership and Inclusive Innovation”, the exclusive event hosted 30 businesswomen to a round table talk, fostering dialogue about the purpose of disruption and its necessity to increase women’s leadership roles in the workplace. According to a Deloitte insight report, the number of women in C-suite roles is progressively increasing with a rise from 17.9% in 2019 to 21.3% in 2022 globally.
African Women on Board is an expanding network of African women on the continent and in the diaspora who aspire to become leaders within their workplaces, communities and governments. The Chief Executive Officer, NGX Regulation Tinuade Awe; the Country Head Mastercard Foundation, Chidinma Lawanson; the Managing Director, Co-Creation Hub; Partner, Templars Law, Zelda Akindele, were some of the high-profile guests at the event.
This year’s theme of “Women’s Leadership and Inclusive Innovation” highlights crucial hotspots in the world today. Studies by McKinsey & Company show that companies with a higher percentage of women in leadership positions demonstrate a 21% increase in profitability. However, despite these benefits, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles globally. An annual advocacy organisation 50/50 Women on Boards report revealed that women hold only 28% of board seats in Fortune 500 companies.
The private round table session fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas and inspirational conversations, allowing attendees to engage in open and honest conversations and seek clarification on pressing issues such as the issues that affect gender parity in leadership positions. The discussion highlighted some underlying bias with women in leadership positions such as the idea that women expressing emotions is perceived as aggressiveness, rather than assertiveness. The acknowledgement of this point allows for the promotion of a healthy means of expression without misinterpretations.
After the roundtable session, guests also enjoyed a special viewing of the short biopic of Janet Harbinson, an 8-minute film on the life experiences of the former Managing Director of The Macallan. The evening culminated in a specially curated tasting, featuring The Macallan Double Cask 15 years old, 18 years old, and the Rare Cask expressions.
The evening was a testament to The Macallan’s investment in celebrating exceptional craftsmanship across key industries. “The Macallan is a firm believer in celebrating women across diverse fields. We celebrate their efforts in driving positive change, fostering innovation, and shaping a more equitable future. We also acknowledge the need for continued action to break barriers and empower women across all aspects of society. And that is why The Macallan partnered with Capital Club; to accelerate progress,” says Idorenyin Emmanson, Assistant Brand Manager, Edrington Portfolio, Nigeria.
Beyond the soiree and spirited discussion, the true impact of this collaboration lies in its potential to inspire a new wave of women leaders. Dedicated to lauding women at the forefront of change, The Macallan will continue celebrating exceptional craftsmanship across key industries.