The Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter (WIAAC) is hosting a panel discussion on diversity from 9.45 to 11.30 AM on Thursday, July 23, at this years FIA Connect, which replaces the renowned UK biennial Farnborough International Airshow.

During an hour-long panel followed by breakout sessions, the WIAAC will lead a discussion on maintaining the focus on Diversity & Inclusion as the industry starts to recover from Covid-19. Confirmed panelists include: Adefunke Adeyemi, Regional Director, Advocacy & Strategic Relations for Africa at the International Air Transportation Association (IATA); Victoria Foy, CEO of Safran Seats GB and Martine Gagn, Chief Technology Officer at Meggitt.

The WIAAC will be celebrating its second anniversary at FIA, having been launched at the Airshow in 2018, and welcoming new Co-Chair, Jacqui Sutton, Chief Customer Officer at Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace, who will be moderating the panel. She takes over from founding Co-Chair Katherine Bennett CBE, Senior Vice President at Airbus, who will still remain very engaged with the WIAAC whilst focusing on her new role as President Elect of the International Aviation Womens Association.

Jacqui Sutton, Co-Chair of the WIAAC Steering Board, commented: The Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter is thrilled to be participating in FIA Connect and pleased to be hosting a panel discussion on such a crucial issue for all parts of our industry.

As we start to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, gender balance remains a vitally important issue. We believe it is more important than ever to highlight its importance as companies in the sector look to restructure in response to the crisis. Diverse, forward-looking and collaborative workforces will be integral in helping organisations to recover and face the future with confidence.

FIA Connect will take place on 20-24 July the same week that the Airshow was planned. Via an online platform, the event will offer a series of free-to-attend digital aerospace events with five days of high-quality content, collaboration, thought leadership and industry insight; connecting the global aerospace industry.

Later this year, the WIAAC will be launching a report on gender diversity in the aviation and aerospace industry, developed in partnership with Korn Ferry. The report aims to identify best practice, innovations, and begin to develop a baseline for gender balance statistics within the UK Aviation and Aerospace sectors. The WIAAC believes there is a requirement for a refreshed understanding of the factors that drive gender balance progress and the nature of the challenges across the sectors, so efforts can be properly focused.

As a key industry virtual gathering, FIA Connect will be an important event at which to start discussing some of the topics emerging from the analysis. These moderated discussions will take place in each of the virtual breakout groups from the WIAAC panel.

The Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter aims to support the overall diversity of the sector and build a more balanced and fair industry. It looks to support the progression of women into senior roles in the aviation and aerospace sectors, and aspires to see gender balance at all levels across aviation and aerospace. It recognize that a balanced workforce is good for business for customers and consumers, for profitability and workplace culture, and is increasingly attractive for investors. It now has more than 200 signatory organisations all of which have pledged their commitment to help make these aims a reality.

Please visit the FIA Connect Websiteto register.

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Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter To Host Diversity Panel At FIA Connect - AviationPros.com