The Women in Defence Charter (WiDC) welcomes their newest signatory, Ultra, in supporting gender balance in the defence sector. Ultra joins the Charter’s growing list of signatories and supporting organisations from across the defence industry, from prime manufacturers, SMEs and trade associations and the defence public sector.
By signing the Charter, Ultra pledges to be the very best at driving inclusion and diversity within their organisation and to provide opportunities for women to succeed at all levels. Ultra has also committed to supporting the progression of women and publishing progress annually against their internal targets. The Charter was signed by Steve Izquierdo, Chief HR Officer and Executive Team member at Ultra.
Signing the Women in Defence Charter aligns with Ultra’s long-term Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy, which focuses on promoting the fair treatment of everyone within Ultra and its stakeholders. Ultra believes diversity is key to success and so in 2021 created a Uniquely Ultra Employee Resource and Networking Group, which helps shape priorities, raise issues, and share best practice for Ultra. Uniquely Ultra reports directly to Ultra’s Executive Team through the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. As a result, Ultra is making a significant commitment to supporting gender balance in the defence industry and transparently reports its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion index scores for 2020 and 2021 and showcases its targets for 2022-2024.
Mark Ealing, VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Ultra said:
“It’s been proven that more diverse and inclusive companies are more successful businesses. One of Ultra’s key areas of focus is to ‘succeed through all types of diversity’ this includes gender balance but also much more.
“We are very proud of the progress we’ve made so far in improving all areas of Diversity Equity and Inclusion. Joining the Women in Defence Charter is another great step in supporting underrepresented groups in the defence industry and accelerating our support and development of women in Ultra.”
Sophie Thomas, Industry Co-Chair of the Women in Defence Charter and Service Delivery Director at AQUILA, said:
“Ultra is a very welcome signatory to the Women in Defence Charter. Their pledge to supporting our 30 per cent female representation at all levels across the defence sector by 2030 is crucial as we look to progress gender balance in the defence industry.
“All at the Women in Defence Charter look forward to working alongside Ultra to drive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the defence sector and create more opportunities for women to succeed at all levels, creating long lasting change.”