Female-focused conference shows industry progress

Caption: Jacob Betros (Meat & Livestock Australia), Stacey McKenna (Meat Business Women), and Amy Brooks (Australian Beef Sustainability Framework). (Joseph Byford)

 

Meat Business Women (MBW) held their annual conference in Brisbane in May, drawing up to 350 people, which included their largest male audience so far. The event reinforced MBW’s mission to advance women’s representation and leadership in the meat industry.

Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF) Steering Group member Amy Brooks said the conference aligned closely with the ABSF’s priorities.

“There was a range of speakers who explored how workforce diversity and leadership development directly impact productivity, recruitment and retention,” Amy said.

“Their messages echoed findings from the ABSF, linking rural economic contribution and workforce capability to long-term profitability.”

Attendees included producers, suppliers, retailers, and investors from across the red meat supply chain.

Towards a common goal

By aligning objectives, MBW provides a pathway for the ABSF to reach and report on industry goals.

“Both have a shared vision for industry improvement, with inclusion being at the core,” Amy said.

‘People and the community’ is one of four key pillars within the ABSF, which focuses on diversity, inclusion, workforce development and wellbeing.

Within the pillar, the percentage of men and women in the workplace is measured and reported on.

In 2023, MBW released data that reported the meat industry had made progress in shifting the dial of women’s representation in senior leadership roles since the initial research in 2020.

As of 2023, women in CEO roles have increased to 8% (from 5% in 2020), and female representation at board-level director roles has increased to 23% (from 14%).

MBW Food Business Charter

 In the lead-up to the conference, MBW launched its Food Business Charter across global networks, aiming for 40% female representation in the industry by 2035.

“The charter empowers signatories to create gender equity strategies tailored to their workforce realities, backed by a framework of accountability and action,” Amy said.

“At last count, there are 38 companies across the world who are signatories.”.

Amy said that having strong male representation at the female-focused conference was a promising indicator of moving in a positive direction.

“It’s great to see that there’s clarity around our messaging and everyone is quite supportive of that,” she said.