The role of male allies in inclusion

Justin shares his thoughts on why equality matters, how he supports his colleagues, and the ways businesses can drive meaningful change. His insights highlight the importance of creating an inclusive culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Q: Why is gender equality in the workplace important?

A: It’s such a fundamental issue that I find it horrifying we still need to discuss it. But the reality is that inequities persist. An equal workplace isn’t just the right thing to do morally - it’s a business advantage. When every colleague has the opportunity to reach their full potential, the entire company benefits. If people feel like they have untapped potential, they’re more likely to leave, and that’s a waste for both them and the organisation.

Q: How do you actively support gender equality at BMT?

A: My philosophy is simple: colleagues are colleagues. I actively promote a culture where people are seen for their capabilities, not their gender. I also make myself available as a safe pair of ears for colleagues to talk to. I call out inappropriate behaviour when needed and support people in navigating their concerns.

Q: Have you mentored or supported female colleagues?

A: While I haven’t been a formal mentor, I’ve worked with several women at BMT to help them recognise their potential, prepare for interviews, and progress in their careers. Sometimes, it’s just about helping them see that they are more capable than they believe. In my experience, imposter syndrome affects women more often, and I try to offer encouragement and guidance.

Q: Can you share an example of a barrier you’ve helped address?

A: I once worked with a female colleague who was being unfairly pressured to deliver work on a full-time schedule, despite being a part-time employee due to childcare commitments. She felt unheard, so I stepped in to advocate for her and help manage expectations. This highlighted the need for companies to better understand how to support part-time workers — many of whom are women.

Q: Why does change take time, and how can we speed it up?

A: Progress is slow because generational attitudes take time to shift. However, I am optimistic about younger generations — they are more inclusive, open-minded, and willing to call out bias. For them, diversity and inclusion are not optional; they actively seek it in their employers, which gives me hope.

Q: How can businesses drive meaningful cultural change?

A: There’s a difference between company values (top-down) and company culture (bottom-up). Leadership sets the values, but the employees shape the everyday workplace culture. I’d love to see BMT study its culture to understand where it aligns with its values and where it doesn’t. That’s where we can make real improvements.

Q: What’s your final message on gender equality?

A: My hope is that conversations like this, and the work of allies across the business, help create a workplace where gender doesn’t determine opportunity, where barriers are actively removed, and where colleagues are simply colleagues. Equality is not just a women’s issue - it’s a business issue, a culture issue, and, most importantly, a human issue.