Opportunity Past- Future and Now

Opportunity Now was founded in October 1991 with the support of 61 employers.  It was then called Opportunity 2000 and was chaired by Lady Howe and supported by the then Prime Minister, The Rt Hon John Major MP.  The original aim of Opportunity 2000 was to maximise the potential of female employers and improve their recruitment and retention prior to the start of the new millennium.  More than fifteen years on the work of Opportunity Now is just as strong.

Opportunity Now provides innovative thought leadership on gender issues in the workplace.  It develops, shares and celebrates best practice in overcoming the challenges employers face in the recruitment, retention and development of women.

Women working full time earn on average £559 per month less than men.  For part time women workers the pay gap is even more dramatic.  In fact it has changed little in 35 years.  It has been estimated that there are currently 5.6 million women working in part time jobs under their potential because there is not enough flexibility within workplaces.  There is still not nearly enough women in senior leadership roles within the FTSE 100 companies.  For both women and men to be able to achieve their full potential significant changes in society and the workplace are needed.

Opportunity Now is the only membership organisation representing employers who want to transform their workplaces by insuring inclusiveness for women, supporting their potential to be as economically active as men.
We work to build and communicate the business case for this, to share and inspire best practice and to give employers and their people the tools to drive change. With in excess of 330 members,  Opportunity Now is the leading organisation promoting diversity within the workplace, with the Awards held each year amongst the most prestigious of their kind.  Various events - ranging from Equal Pay workshops to the Equality Academy series provide both members and non members a chance to network and increase their knowledge of diversity issues.

 We are part of Business In The Community  and therefore have charitable status.