EXCLUSIVE: Jenx director reflects on the importance of gender equality on International Women’s Day
Postural support products manufacturer Jenx has been helping children with special needs live a better life and a brighter future with its innovative products for over 40 years. To mark today’s International Women’s Day, Holly Jenkins, Director of Jenx, reflects on why her organisation is proud of having good female representation despite operating in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Holly Jenkins has been Director of Jenx for the last seven years. She took over the reins from her mum, Catherine, and Dad, Clive, in 2017. She reflects: “I grew up around the company and living and breathing my mum’s vision – she wanted to make a difference, which naturally rubbed off on me.
“Some of my earliest memories are of me going to work with my mum when she was a physiotherapist. We’d visit children with disabilities and mum would provide them with physio treatment. At the time, I didn’t understand mum’s work or the enormity of the impact she was having on people’s lives; I just looked forward to seeing my friends.
“I’m extremely proud to be following in mum’s footsteps. It’s not easy to keep a successful business going for 40 years, but mum (and dad) managed it. It’s a real honour to build upon her legacy.”
Jenx’s Board currently comprises of 50 per cent women, and the company’s Senior Management Team is made up of four men and three women – Holly, Rachel Davis, Head of Marketing, and Karen Grace, Head of Human Resources.
Holly continues: “Having good female representation at senior level, as well as across our entire organisation, is extremely important to us. In fact, it’s something that’s happened organically over the years, despite operating in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
“From the moment they join us, our new team members are provided with the freedom and autonomy to develop into and thrive within their roles. It’s an approach we’re incredibly proud of -it’s received a widespread positive response from our female workers, especially those who are at the very start of their career journey.
“As an industry-leader, we’re continuously reviewing and refining our processes to make sure we continue to develop and deliver pioneering postural support solutions. This not only involves embedding gender equality into everything we do, but having an ability equality focus, which is part of our future vision.”
