“When I started 12 years ago, few women
advanced to the management level. Things have
changed immensely. Now the percentage of
women at the Cerdato R&D center in Serquigny,
France, is approaching 40%. I was inspired
by an environment that encouraged me to
take on a manager role. In a less supportive
setting, I might have hesitated. As Business
Development Director at Cerdato, I currently supervise 20 engineers
and 15technicians. But I don’t think the question of gender equality
should be our sole focus. A broader perception prompts us to strive
for the best possible balance, especially work-life balance. We take
the time here to make sure that both male and female employees
get it right. Through simple, regular actions, our managers convey
the value we place on balance, which is meaningful and a factor in
success.”
Karine Loyen, Technical Polymers Business Development Director,
Europe
T
here’s no better way to showcase women’s role in sports and
the business world than to sign this global sponsorship deal
with FIFA, the sport’s international governing body. “Women
soccer players want to shine, and to shine a spotlight on their
sport, through the high-level engagement and performance
they so dazzlingly demonstrate. This also corresponds to
a strong Arkema commitment to performance,” points out
Gilles Galinier, Vice President, External Communication.
Given the tie-in, we are featuring this all-women’s international event in
our new employer branding communications. One visual depicts one of
our researchers on a soccer field: Lise just happens to work on Arkema
materials used in athletic shoes.
AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT THAT RAISES ARKEMA’S
PROFILE WORLDWIDE
Our sponsorship will also display the Arkema brand to a billion
television viewers watching an event broadcast in close to
180 countries. The pinnacle of women’s soccer competitions will be
held in France from June 7 to July 7, 2019, and will pit the world’s
24 best women’s soccer nations against one another in nine major
cities. Arkema host countries are well represented in the tournament.
Besides France, there is the reigning world champion U.S. team, in
the running for a second straight title. Olympic champion Germany is
also a serious contender. Other favorites are Japan, which made the
finals in the last two cups, and the Netherlands, winner of the UEFA
Women’s Euro 2017 competition. Also worth a mention is China,
the first country to qualify, in April 2018. Fans from Arkema are
expected to turn out in droves. The company has a manufacturing and
commercial presence and strong recruiting goals in all the countries
mentioned.
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Arkema - Innovative
“THIS GLOBAL
EVENT WILL
BOOST OUR
POPULARITY WITH A
WIDE SEGMENT OF THE
PUBLIC AND HEIGHTEN
OUR EMPLOYER BRAND
VISIBILITY. BUT WE ALSO
HOPE IT WILL PLAY
AN INDIRECT ROLE IN
RAISING OUR BUSINESS
PROFILE.”
Gilles Galinier, Vice President, External Communication
Women Shine in Business
and Soccer
EQUALITY
To show support for talented women as they work to succeed in areas traditionally dominated by men,
Arkema in 2018 agreed to sponsor the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™.
HUMAN CAPITAL