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