Women in power at Rotherham authorities

WOMEN now occupy the top spots at Rotherham’s council, police and hospital — plus its seat in parliament.

WOMEN now occupy the top spots at Rotherham’s council, police and hospital — plus its seat in parliament.

Chief Supt Una Jennings’ promotion within South Yorkshire Police has created an unprecedented presence of females in positions of power.

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Sharon Kemp has been Rotherham’s chief executive since March 2016 and Louise Barnett took up the same role at Rotherham Hospital in April 2014.

Both appointments came amid taxing times for the organisations — RMBC was still reeling from the child sex scandal, and serious financial woes had meant a string of very short-term hospital bosses.

Sarah Champion became MP in a 2012 by-election after Denis MacShane quit over the expenses scandal which saw him sentenced to six months in jail.

 

Meanwhile, Kathryn Singh is chief exec at RDaSH and last month Alex Johnson was promoted deputy chief fire officer at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue — one of only a few women to reach that level nationally.

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Ms Champion she had watched the growing diversity across Rotherham’s key roles in her six years as MP — and said this was worthy of celebration and encouragement.

“When I was a child I never considered becoming a member of parliament, largely because I rarely saw women in the role, and never ones from comprehensive schools,” she added.

“I now spend much of my time encouraging everyone to stand for office; your career shouldn’t be limited because of your gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or background.

“Equality benefits all of society as we all have different approaches, opinions and styles of working and this diversity builds a strong economy and community.

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“Plus, it’s reassuring to see someone who looks like you in a position of authority.”

Chief Supt Jennings said: “I believe I was chosen because I have the right skillset for the job, rather than a gender characteristic. But it is an interesting dynamic in Rotherham.

“I’ll get to know the others better now I’ve started the job. I’ve met Sharon Kemp a few times and been hugely impressed.

“She’s an incredibly capable leader with enthusiasm for Rotherham and a force to be reckoned with.”

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The council’s “macho and sexist” culture was decried by the Jay report.

Cllr Chris Read, leader since 2015, said: “We didn’t go out and think, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to have a woman as chief executive?’

“But I would reflect that there were a lot of men in positions of leadership, in the council and police, who didn’t have the experience of being teenage girls.

“I don’t want to personalise it to individuals, but having women as part of the conversations has broadened things now. It has definitely helped change attitudes over the past few years.”

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He added: “If you think of what the chief exec of a council or hospital looks like, you might traditionally imagine an old man in a suit.

“Nothing against old men in suits, I’m hoping to become one myself one day, but it is really encouraging how times have changed and it’s great for kids growing up to see that.”