The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 28 Winter 2017 | Page 22
Recognising Diversity
The last few months have seen a bevy of activity for
women’s networking group Women in Tobacco (WIT).
In a truly global fashion, WIT members have seen
three meetings take place in three iconic settings. This
journey kicked off at New York’s Rainbow room in
the Rockefeller Center, travelled back to London to
the magnificent British Museum and most recently
featured a meeting at British American Tobacco’s eye-
catching headquarters on the Thames. Not only were
the sights stunning but the speakers were outstanding.
WIT is a non-profit organisation with approximately
500 members world-wide, chaired by Livery Assistant
Elise Rasmussen.
Beginning on the 12th September, RAI Services and
National Tobacco Company hosted the Women in
Tobacco event that preceded the GTNF Welcome
Reception at the spectacular Rainbow Room. Brittani
Cushman, Vice President of External Affairs at
Turning Point Brands, welcomed WIT members and
introduced prestigious speaker Ashley Davis, Partner
at West Front Strategies LLC. The accomplished Ms.
Davis previously served in the White House in several
capacities, including as Special Assistant to Director of
Homeland Security Tom Ridge and as a member of the
Bush-Cheney Transition Team. Ms Davis passionately
shared with attendees, global statistics on women
in key political and business positions and stressed
the need for more women to be in critical leadership
positions to promote change. Furthermore, she spoke
of her own involvement with ‘Vital Voices, Global
partnership’ where she mentors women from around
the world. Vital Voices identifies women leaders
with daring visions and partners with them to make
the vision a reality through long-term investment to
expand their skills and network.
Following closely on from the impressive New York
event, WIT members gathered for an inaugural
breakfast meeting at the British Museum on 26th
September, which featured a private viewing of the
‘Scythians: warriors of Ancient Siberia” Exhibition
courtesy of JTI. Attendees had a chance to network
over breakfast followed by inspiring words from Karen
Reynolds, JTI’s Head of Community Relations UK,
who
spoke was
about
JTI’s philanthropic
The lunch
deliciously
catered by commitments
Mark Grove
with
organisations
that
include
the
British
Museum
and his team at Cook & Butler and we cracked
and
Leonard
Cheshire
for were
which
WIT
along
at a goodly
pace. Disability,
Our guests
admirably
members
raised
£294
that
morning.
WIT
members
introduced by Liveryman Fran Morrison and our
then
had the
pleasure
listening to
Chloe
Leighton, and
Principal
Guest,
Tim of
Wonnacott
gave
a generous
Co-Curator
of
the
Scythians
exhibition
who
very humorous reply to which I responded formally
initially
introduced the attendees to these formidable warriors
by drenching poor Tim in a glass of water - he was
who roamed the vast open plains of Siberia 2,500 years
very kind about it (sorry Tim!). I was very pleased
ago. They were feared, loathed and admired but, over
to show off the newly found Livery Grant of Arms
time forgotten – unti l now.
and Letters Patent which have been missing for many
years - Christmas
our Clerk celebration
tenaciously and
sought
and
WIT’s
final them
event out,
of the
year
was Immediate
held on 8th Past
November
BAT’s Allen,
impressive
the new
Master, at Chris
and his
headquarters
on
the
River
Thames
river.
WIT
IPM, Mark Gower-Smith have funded a beautiful re-
member,
Rina and
Goldberg
Lynch,
and in
Chief
presentation
they are
now Founder
resplendent
frames
Executive
Officer
of
Voice
At
The
Table,
a
future-
carved with tobacco leaves (or close to); Sandra also
focused
diversity not
consultancy,
thought-
located a gender
huge banner
seen since led
1985
and Angus
provoking
discussions
about
diversity,
transformation
Menzies, Clerk to the Master Mariners and never shy
and
a niche
The inspiring
of a creating/filling
challenge saw to
it that in it business.
was displayed
on the
panel
of
speakers
included
award-winning
handbag
Quarterdeck.
designer Esin Akin, two entrepreneurial women from
BAT;
Anastasia
Volnova,
Finance Manager,
Whilst
all this was
going BAT's
on, apparently
biblical-
Mergers
and Acquisitions,
and had
Carola
Wiegand
BAT's
style downpours
were being
all over
London
Head
of Corporate
Tax,
Transfer
Pricing, our
who
are on
- oblivious
to all that
drama
we ended
lunch
the
committee
of
the
recently
formed
Women
in
BAT
and trooped back to the quarterdeck where Coffee,
community.
In addition,
Tom us McCarthy,
who worked
Cigars, and Cognac
awaited
(I did mention
that
at
HM
Armed
Forces
and
volunteers
with
Sapper
our Livery enjoyed dining on the High C’s..) and
Support
spoke of
24-7
PTSD helpline
which seemed
to the
hit critical
the mark
– Liveryman
Jemma
support,
the
organisation
offers
to
veterans
in
need.
Freeman had kindly provided the torpedo cigars
Sapper
Support
is
now
recognised
throughout
the our
and had had them placed in souvenir tubes with
country
and has been
for us
Best
Charity
Crest emblazoned
on nominated
it. Several of
also New
sported
2017 by the TIMES Charity Awards. WIT members
a limited edition Livery Smoking hat - originally
raised an impressive £440 for this important charity at
conceived as a sort of shooting hat, it serves its
the event.
purpose so well as a “team” hat, that of the twenty
ordered,
but one
remained
by the close
of the day!
An
impressive
wealth
of knowledge
was imparted
upon
Thank
you to
Master
Mariners
for allowing
us the
the
Women
in the
Tobacco
network
during
these meetings
and
members
are looking
forward
2018
will
use of
the venue,
to Tim for
being to a what
perfect
Principal
bring.
information
on Women
in Tobacco
Guest, For
and more
for everyone
attending
and giving
my
or
how
to a become
member contact:
year
such
special a start.
[email protected]
The Gervais
Master
Jocelyne
Co-Vice Chair, Women in Tobacco
22
3