Alliance Manchester Business School has received the prestigious Silver Athena Swan Award in recognition of its continued efforts to advance gender equality.
Having been awarded the Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2019, we are proud to announce that following our successful submission, we received the Silver Award on 27 January 2025.
The Athena Swan Charter is a gender equality framework used across the higher education sector. Participating institutions and departments use the charter to improve gender representation, progression and the working environment for all staff.
Head of School, Professor Ken McPhail said, "Achieving the Athena Swan Silver Award is a significant moment, not just as a testament to the team's dedication in preparing the application, but as recognition that we are living our values of fairness and equality every day within AMBS.
"I'd like to thank colleagues from across the School who have contributed throughout the application process."
Progress since the Bronze award
Since our Bronze Award in 2019, AMBS has made meaningful advances in gender equality and EDI. A key achievement has been establishing a dedicated Director of EDI within our Senior Leadership Team. This role has enabled us to drive initiatives with clear accountability and effectiveness.
We have made significant progress in supporting female academics' career development. Increased mentorship and support have raised promotion rates for women at senior levels, and our expanded Carer Support Fund provides essential resources for staff balancing career ambitions with caregiving.
Our family-friendly policies and focus on wellbeing underscore our commitment to a supportive workplace that respects diverse needs.
To cultivate an inclusive environment for our students, we have increased gender balance among student representatives - particularly in programmes where female representation has traditionally been low.
By featuring female role models and expanding student ambassador roles, we are creating a supportive community for all students. Additionally, increased BAME representation on our EDI Committee and a rise in female speakers at events reflect our commitment to inclusivity across all levels.
Silver Action Plan
Our Action Plan for the next five years is focused on six priority areas identified in our submission:
- Address structural barriers to senior roles for women and underrepresented groups
- Close gender and intersectional gaps in student outcomes
- Ensure fair workload and equitable career development opportunities for women and underrepresented groups
- Support work-life balance and wellbeing for women and all staff
- Foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus culture for all
- Enhance cultural competence and strengthen gender and intersectional belonging.
The award will be officially presented at the annual awards ceremony in early 2026.