Opportunity Now is a Membership organisation for employers who are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for women.   
Opportunity Now empowers employers to accelerate change for women in the workplace because it makes good business sense. It works with its membership of  employers, from the private, public and education sectors to offer tailored, practical and pragmatic advice on workplace issues.  Opportunity Now is part of Business in the Community, a charity which mobilises business for good.
Allison Seidlar, Director of Opportunity Now says "I firmly believe that workplace diversity creates competitive advantage.  There is no doubt that having more diversity within organisations helps avoid identikit thinking and encourages a dynamic mix of experience, perspectives, attitudes and approaches. Research has proved that mixed management groups are more effective than homogeneous ones in making strategic decisions, and delivering better and more innovative business results. However, there is currently a worrying leak in the talent pipeline which filters out many talented and high performing individuals en route to the corporate suite. I believe that increasing the number of women in leadership positions is not a ‘nice to do’, but something which can offer vital business advantage.”

The UK's most prestigious awards for advancing women in the workplace for 2010 are now closed for entry and are being prepared for the assessment stage in January.  For 15 years the awards have celebrated outstanding practice in equality and diversity work, with a particular impact on women. The awards demonstrate our  members best practice, innovation  and dedication to creating inclusive workplaces  and provide a way to celebrate success and gain high profile recognition for achievements.  More information is available at  The Opportunity Now Awards 2010 .   The Opportunity Now Awards process culminates in a Celebratory Dinner ,  to be held at The Brewery Central London on 28 April 2010.  Tickets for this prestigious event are always popular,  so reserve yours now to avoid disappointment  as places are strictly limited. Booking Form Awards Dinner 2010

Building Teams for an Agile Future
New research from Opportunity Now
Introduction from Ed Smith, Chairman of the World Wildlife Fund and Opportunity Now Board Member

I believe that trust plays a vital role in building organisations where every person is valued and delivers value for their employer. Technology has promised so much in terms of the ability to transform our working lives, but time and time again I see that it has not delivered. I believe that it is a lack of trust, and consequently a reluctance to empower employees to make decisions about the best way that they can deliver value to their employer, that has proved a barrier to organisations grasping the opportunities that technological advances provide. . During my career, I have seen the pivotal role that leaders play in creating this environment of trust. We understand the enormous benefits agility can bring to individuals and organisations but we need to work harder to build the trust which will make this a reality. By living out our organisation’s values, by empowering our people to deliver their best and by using a little more imagination about the way that work is done, we can help to create an agile future for our organisations. I believe that this piece of research, the first in a series on this issue, will provide inspiration and insight to employers.
Read the first part of the research by following this link:
Out of Office

Partnering with the Construction Industry Council
Opportunity Now  is delighted to have conducted research on behalf of the Construction Industry Council highlighting the issues facing businesses in competing effectively in an increasingly diverse employment marketplace. The record of employing and retaining women in the construction industry is poor. Although the construction professional services performed far better than the industry as a whole, the percentage of female employees has only improved at the miserly rate of 1% in three years - only 23% of the 270,000 people employed are female.  This research highlights five key areas of concern and includes recommendations to develop a more appropriate work/life balance.
To read or download the research piece and introduction visit The Spotlight on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics web page.