Wickes is committed to supporting our colleagues through various learning and development opportunities and in celebration of the end of another successful cohort on Diversity in Retails sought after Ethnic Future Leaders Programme! The Programme aims to engage individuals from ethnic minorities within the Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail sectors who are highly motivated and who show potential leadership behaviours. The benefits of enrolling into this programme include:Access to industry content, Guidance from industry leaders, Personalised support in career progression.
Our two graduates are Vanesha who has worked for Wickes for 6 years in her current role as an Operations Manager and Pritesh, a Category Supply Manager who has worked for Wickes for almost 3 years. We sat down with them to learn more about their learnings from the programme:
Can you tell us a little more about how you found yourself working at Wickes and your experience so far?
PRITESH - I have previously worked as an Account Manager with some Supply Chain exposure but I wanted to broaden my experience. Wickes gave me this opportunity with the benefit of working in the retail sector. I had previously worked in B2B environments and this role gave me the chance to work in a more business to customer environment.
Tell us more about the Ethnic Future Leaders Programme that is ran by Diversity in Retail
VANESHA - The programme ran over 6 months and each month we would have a 3 hour virtual session on different topics. One of the sessions I really related to was the topic of confidence and I worked on this after the session with my Wickes Executive Sponsor. Also a big part of the programme was on networking. Each session had guest speakers with a round table discussion at the end to reflect on our learnings and how they might support our careers.
PRITESH - My Supply Chain Director nominated me to be on the programme. The course is about getting insight and bringing people together to explore diversity, share their journey and lived experience. We talked about different businesses and how far they are in the diversity and inclusion space and what support is out there for individuals.
What was your biggest learning or lightbulb moment on the programme?
VANESHA - For me it was the time that people were putting into helping me with my career, I thought I would need to do it all on my own but there are so many people in Wickes and in other Companies that just want to help and it really opened my eyes that people really believed in me.
PRITESH- I realised how important it was for me to see role models in senior roles that were like me from the same culture and ethnicity. During the programme I realised that maybe I was creating a glass ceiling for myself and made the assumption that some journeys to senior roles were easier than my own. It wasn't until some of the speakers talked about imposter syndrome and how it had affected them, that I realised I was very similar to them.
What was the most challenging part of the programme?
VANESHA- I think the most challenging part was relating to the negative experiences that others shared and realising that so many of us had similar struggles in our careers and at times I found it hard to open up to others about my personal experiences.
PRITESH- For me it was being open and honest with everyone we spoke to, allowing myself to be vulnerable and share difficult situations and examples with my Line Manager, Executive Sponsor and the Senior Leader I was reverse mentoring.
Why do you think this programme is important for other colleagues in Wickes to attend?
VANESHA- It is an eye opening experience where you get a chance to learn from other cultures and industries and personally I think everyone who gets the chance regardless of their ethnicity should get involved as you will learn loads from the programme.
PRITESH- It allows colleagues to think about their careers and reflect on their journeys. When I initially went on the course I didn't consider myself to be someone who had experienced discrimination and I didn't realise how much those experiences had shaped my behaviour and how I spoke to try and fit this stereotype of the corporate world. I realised that I was moderating and second guessing myself but I am more confident in who I am now
Finally, do you feel at home at Wickes?
VANESHA- Yes and it really is down to the people I work with!
PRITESH- In my 15 years in a corporate environment Wickes is probably the first place where I feel I can be my true self, and not have to maintain the facade of my “work” self without any judgement. Whilst there is still progress to be made in Wickes to be a truly inclusive space, it is within the culture that Wickes tries to cultivate that I can see we are heading in the right direction and I can see the impact of what has already been done.
