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International Womens Day

If you take a walk through our warehouses, our stores or our head office in St Minver the chances are you will bump into a female employee first (a 61% chance in fact). From warehouse operatives, sales assistants to senior management, women have long been an integral part of the Ann’s Cottage fabric since it all began in a small village shop in Polzeath in 1978.

It doesn’t end there either, because we’re also pretty stoked to have some pretty awesome team riders too, like 16-year-old surfer Lauren Sandland, who has competed across Europe, and the super talented Beth Rickard, who has been making (concrete) waves of her own in skateboarding.

On the day we celebrate International Women’s Day, over half of our workforce are female (108 out of our 177 employees to be precise!) and that figure is likely to increase again in the coming months. It’s a statistic we’re proud of, but not one we should have to shout from the rooftops in the modern world. But at a time where bias, stereotypes and discrimination still provide completely unnecessary barriers for women and their career goals it’s vital to highlight the importance and value that women have in the workplace and in everyday life.

International Womens Day

Gender should not have any influence in a person’s credentials for a job, and when we evaluate potential appointments they are based primarily on skill sets (a nice, friendly demeanour always helps too!). Warehouse work has long been a male-dominated area but we have enjoyed a steady influx of women workers, while in the board room you can expect to see just as many women as men. If you’re good enough for the job then you’re good enough for the job.

It is the aim of International Women’s Day to promote ‘A world that’s diverse, equitable and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated’. It is hoped that with these beliefs we can all forge women’s equality.

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It’s also the mission of International Women’s Day to develop work cultures where women’s careers thrive and their achievements are celebrated. We’ve been lucky enough to witness that first hand here at Ann’s Cottage. From managers, supervisors and admin assistants, to photographers, graphic designers and marketing co-ordinators, women continue to play a key role in the continued success and evolution of one of the UK’s largest surf lifestyle clothing and equipment retailers.

Becci Cornelius, a director at Ann’s Cottage, says: “We believe people with equal talent should have equal access to opportunity. 60% of our workforce here at Ann’s Cottage is female and every single one of those women was selected for their talent. The company is as successful as it is today because of the integral part each and everyone of them plays.”

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