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News UK is the latest organisation to display its commitment to gender equality by joining the growing line-up of Women in Football corporate members.

The influential media group – which reaches millions of football fans through brands like The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun and talkSPORT – follows Newcastle United FC, the EFL and tms in joining the prestigious line-up of Women in Football corporate members this year.

The Women in Football Corporate Membership programme offers a range of resources to help forward-thinking employers work towards gender equality. As part of the package, organisations select from a range of services to develop a bespoke package which suits their needs in terms of developing as a female-friendly employer.

Other organisations that have joined the programme include the Premier League, Sky Sports and top-flight clubs Brentford FC, Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Manchester City FC.

 

Strong relationship

News UK’s decision to become a corporate member of WIF builds upon an already strong relationship. Over recent years, the group has hosted and participated in Women in Football events, including the flagship Be Inspired Conference in partnership with Barclays, and its outlets feature the work of many high-profile women and WIF members.

These include The Sun’s sports reporter Sandra Brobbey, who was the first recipient of SunSport's Vikki Orvice Scholarship, established in 2019 in memory of the trailblazing journalist who became the first woman appointed as a football writer on a tabloid paper, joining The Sun in 1995.

The Times and The Sunday Times provide award-winning football coverage led by the likes of Molly Hudson and Alyson Rudd, while talkSPORT’s line-up of pundits and presenters includes Natalie Sawyer, Reshmin Chowdhury, Faye Carruthers, Shebahn Aherne, Lianne Sanderson, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, Tash Dowie, Lucy Ward and Katie Shanahan.

Having pledged to WIF's campaign for action towards gender equality in football, talkSPORT is also part of the #GetOnside family. That generous pledge saw two Women in Football members take on paid six-month internships covering the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 tournament.

In 2020 talkSPORT also offered three young people the opportunity to undergo training in journalism and radio, thanks to a fantastic fully paid apprenticeship scheme.

 

Empowerment

Kathryn Anastasi, Deputy Head of talkSPORT, said: “We’re delighted to be joining Women in Football – a brilliant organisation with an absolute focus on developing, supporting and shining a light on talented women playing their role in every part of the game. I’m proud of the talented women on and off-air across talkSPORT, and I’m excited to work with Women in Football to build on this in the months ahead.”

Yvonne Harrison, CEO at WIF said: "Women in Football is delighted that News UK have decided to join our roster of corporate members. We look forward to working across the business on projects that will empower their female employees and bring progress towards a gender-equal workplace.

"In joining our Corporate Membership programme, employers are committing to take practical measures towards inclusion. Research has shown that diverse organisations are more effective organisations, and more effective clubs are good for football."

Services available to corporate members from Women in Football’s team of experts include an assessment of organisational culture and support in fostering inclusive team dynamics. Direct support to the female workforce can be provided through group coaching, mentoring, and places on the highly renowned Women in Football Leadership Course in partnership with Barclays.

Look out for more announcements about new Women in Football corporate members in the coming weeks.

Find out more about Women in Football's Corporate Membership programme 
 

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