Westpac boss Gail Kelly wants women to take the lead in work and business

WESTPAC chief executive Gail Kelly says the bank’s plan to quash gender inequality and have an even share of men and women at the top is on track.

Westpac CEO Gail Kelly speaking at a Ruby event network lunch at The Sofitel in Melbourne. Pictures:Angie Basdekis

WESTPAC chief executive Gail Kelly says the bank’s plan to quash gender inequality and have an even share of men and women at the top is on track.

Crowned the 56th most powerful woman in the world on the Forbes list, the head of the nation’s second largest lender yesterday said the bank wanted to crack glass ceilings and create gender balance at their highest level.

“In 2010 to 2012 we set ourselves the goal of getting from 32 per cent of women in leadership to get to 40 per cent by 2014,’’ she said.

“Because of the energy, drive, commitment and passion we got there in two years and not four.

“Then we set the goal to get to 50 per cent by 2017 on our (200th) anniversary and we are on the way. We’re now at 43.4 per cent.”

She said the increase in women in leadership roles was due to greater flexibility in the workplace.

Westpac has more than 36,000 employees and posted an 8 per cent surge in cash profit to $3.77 billion for the six months to the end of March.

The bank will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2017 when it hopes to reach the 50 per cent mark for female leaders.

Backing women ... Westpac CEO Gail Kelly speaking today at The Sofitel in Melbourne. Picture:Angie Basdekis

The South African-born businesswoman was the first female CEO of one of the nation’s major banks in 2002 and in 2006 became the highest paid woman in an Australian corporation.

She now earns more than $9 million a year.

Speaking at Westpac’s Ruby Connection lunch, a networking even for women in business in Melbourne, she addressed the importance of leadership in the workplace.

She said employers needed to move away from the “nine to five mentality” and allow flexibility in the workplace.

“Work can be done, but how work gets done, where it gets done, when it gets done, can and should be tailored around the individual,’’ she said.

“What is it you need to flourish and succeed in this environment?

“Do you need more support, do you need more time at home, do you need to job share, do you need to work three days a week?’’

Ms Kelly said the bank would move into its new Collins St headquarters later this year and said the workplace was designed around the new-age way of working.

“We trust you to make it work and deliver,’’ she said.

“I’m a big believer you should design work around a vast majority of people who want to do the right thing rather than around the tiny minority who might take advantage.”