The value of being people-focused and embracing diversity has made all the difference at SRK Consulting, a leading firm of consulting engineers and scientists.
Partner and human resources manager, Monique du Toit highlighted the significant changes over her 15 years at the company – including the remarkable growth in the level of representation of women in the company and as partners in the business. “While there were no female partners in 2014, women now make up 30% of the partner group,” said Du Toit. “In the past five years alone, 50% of our partner appointments have been women.”
She noted that SRK has always been a people-focused company, with a commitment to embracing diversity. The focus is on cultivating an environment where all employees can thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of race, gender or background.
“We are committed to promoting growth and happiness, both professionally and personally, through mutual respect and trust,” she explained. “Our managing director Andrew van Zyl once said: ‘We are strong because we are different’, and that is a sentiment that resonates deeply with me. This viewpoint extends beyond our company to include diversity as a whole.”
There is an understanding that people from different cultures and backgrounds contribute unique qualities, so that individual strengths complement one another.
“This principle applies equally to the men and women at SRK,” she continued. “Both genders bring distinct perspectives to the workplace, because of their diverse experiences and viewpoints. This diversity fosters creativity and innovation as we challenge and collaborate with one another.”
She argued that women offer fresh perspectives in decision-making, innovative approaches to problem-solving, and a keen attention to detail. One of the ways that SRK embraced diversity was to provide the necessary flexibility and support to staff when starting families, allowing them to continue to grow their careers, said Du Toit; this was something she valued highly when she became a mother.
Read the full article on Mining Review Africa.
