Biopharma/Medtech

In 2021, the Irish arm of Sanofi, a multinational healthcare solutions company, wanted to ensure diversity and increase female leadership to promote gender balance in the workplace. BioPharmaChem Skillnet works with companies across the pharmaceutical industry to address a range of challenges, including a lack of female leadership at board and C-suite level. Working collaboratively with Sanofi Ireland, they designed and implemented the Women in Leadership Development Programme.

Aimed specifically at women in STEM, the programme allows organisations to understand and address critical issues relating to leadership, upskilling, equality, diversity, and inclusion. Sanofi engaged with 160 women from across the business to understand why they were not applying for leadership roles. They found that some women had concerns around work-life balance, they lacked confidence, and they often excluded themselves from applying for new roles because they thought they did not fully meet the job criteria.

Striving for people excellence in the biotechnology space is a priority for BioPharmaChem Skillnet. Participating in the programme helped female employees at Sanofi Ireland expand their horizons, foster new opportunities and empower their leadership. Following the success of the programme with Sanofi, BioPharmaChem Skillnet commenced delivery of the programme with other businesses in the sector.