TGt Meets...Karen Davison from ContactCORP - IWD

March 8th is International Women’s Day – and the theme this year is #BreakTheBias. Karen Davison breaks the bias and answers some interesting IWD questions...

Who are you and what do you do?

I'm Karen Davison-Renouf a non executive for Thrive Group, entrepreneur/founder of ContactCORP and a volunteer for the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, Wiltshire Netball and Moredon Netball Club.

If you are a woman in business – has your gender worked positively or negatively for you?

In the recruitment industry my gender has worked positively for me as natural empathy and resolution is key to working well with candidates and clients.

Can you share details of three women – famous, alive or not – who inspire you?

• Margaret Thatcher for her resilience and incredible work ethic.
• Audrey Hepburn for her grace and humility
• Madonna for her drive and adaptability.

Can you share details of three women in business in your circles who inspire you?

Natalie Davidson, Operations Manger WHSmith, for her calm leadership, endless stamina, doing logistics right and her faith in me.

Kat Sochacka, Warehouse Manager Aldi Swindon Distribution Centre, her integrity, supportive energy, leading from the front, and for her partnership approach working with me.

Lynne, MD at ContactCORP, for 25 years of continuous support, trust, her positive pragmatic approach every single day and genuine friendship regardless of time of day.

Can you share details of three women close to you who inspire you?

My Mum, at 75 years young, is made of strong stuff and I wish I had half of what she has, she carries on regardless, and is always there to support us and our children.

Mo Squires, who wears many hats, but to me as Vice Chair of Wiltshire Netball. Mo has endless energy, is proactive in local netball and music, encourages every single lady around her and is an huge inspiration to all of us who know her.

Elaine Bissett, who again wears many hats, including Owner of The Hair Group Swindon, and entrepreneur in property development. Elaine has the drive and determination of a lady half her age, she is strong, fair and fearless. I have learned so much from her, and she knows how to stop me doing something stupid…well most of the time.

What do you think can be done to really #breakthebias?

Every single female has the ability to break the bias, just not always the self belief, and if we all support our female, colleague and friends as they brave something extraordinary and encourage their dreams, we can do this.

Let’s not reply on anyone to do it for us, simply support those aspiring females around you.

Are you doing anything at all to mark IWD 2022?

I’m afraid I had forgotten it was International Women’s Day, until TotalGuideToSwindon reminded me, and now we are attending this great local event, contributing and sharing content on our media channels on the day and hopefully going forward too.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

A huge thank you to Liz and her team for bringing these great events and talking points to our attention, it’s often a long road, so if something gets too much, “REST DON’T QUIT”.