International Women’s Day at Owen Mumford

As an international company and a local employer, we create an inclusive workplace where everyone across our entire business has opportunities to learn and grow. This helps us attract and retain a diverse team and fosters an environment where our associates can bring their authentic selves to work. By doing so, we can be more innovative and keep delivering quality healthcare solutions that make a real difference for our customers and users.

Our leadership and management pathway training program is now in its second year and is key to building an inclusive environment. It provides consistent education, tools, and support for associates covering subjects like gender equality, unconscious bias, and workplace diversity. Since a significant portion of our workforce consists of engineers, we actively promote gender balance in STEM fields. In the UK, where our main office is based, we partner closely with local schools and colleges to offer support and advice for students interested in STEM careers. We share information about our early career sponsorships, especially for women joining our team. These efforts, alongside other targeted initiatives in our global markets, help us continually monitor and improve our policies to support gender equality worldwide.

This year, We’re celebrating International Women’s Day by catching up with some of our associates to learn more about their professional journeys and what it’s like to work in our environment.

Although companies should always hire and promote the best candidate for the job, allowances should be made for gaps in resumes and careers when women have taken primary caregiving roles, or alternative ways to assess qualifications when returning after time off. At Owen Mumford, we’ve introduced policies that do exactly that – supporting mothers while they’re away from work and when they come back. – Stephanie Caulfield – Head of Human Resources, United Kingdom

Stephanie has been at Owen Mumford for two years, leading our HR operations, recruitment, payroll, and professional development programs. Working side-by-side with the executive and senior leadership teams, Stephanie makes sure our employee offerings help us stand out as an employer of choice, place the right people in the right roles to achieve our strategies, ensure legal compliance, create opportunities for growth, and foster a strong workplace culture. Stephanie uses her crucial role in HR to ensure family-friendly policies are in place and that women always have access to leadership development. Key to this is supporting flexible work arrangements, flex time, remote work, and compressed or condensed working schedules to help balance work and family priorities.

By making gender equality a priority, companies not only build a fairer, more just workplace but also boost their business performance by unlocking the full potential of their associates. – Ang Wooi Ming – Assistant Regulatory Affairs Manager, Malaysia

With five years on our regulatory team, Ang makes sure our products meet government requirements. She ensures our medical devices reach the market in line with local rules, helping us grow our global presence and improve patient access to life-changing medical solutions. Ang recognizes that every team member brings unique skills, experience, and viewpoints that make our quality management system more effective. To promote equal opportunity at work, Ang believes companies should set clear, job-based criteria for leadership roles, focusing on relevant skills and experience rather than gender or unrelated factors.

When we create a supportive environment, we help women manage their work and family duties without hurting their career growth. – Eugene Pang – Supply Chain Manager, Malaysia

After five years at Owen Mumford Malaysia, our supply chain manager Eugene oversees and improves all aspects of supply chain operations, making sure our products reach customers on time. With experience in quality, regulatory, and supply chain functions, she’s grateful for her leadership position and for everything she’s learned from her long career, previous leaders, and her own initiatives. She says these experiences taught her to take ownership of her work, be responsible for her actions, and always look for chances to learn and grow. She believes this builds confidence and prepares you for leadership. She also emphasizes that senior management needs to advocate for diversity and inclusivity in leadership and encourage senior leaders to mentor and support women as they grow in their careers.

Gender equality is extremely important for businesses wanting to boost productivity and growth, and studies show that up to 87% of the time, inclusive teams make better business decisions¹. – Leanne Adam – Marketing Manager, United Kingdom

For more than eight years, Leanne has led our marketing and sales efforts in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. With more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, Leanne has held a variety of roles spanning brand and local marketing leadership — all influenced by supportive managers, both men and women. Leanne is passionate about developing her team members and appreciates the personal and career development opportunities she’s been given and achieved at Owen Mumford. She believes everyone has a voice, and everyone brings value and unique experience to the table, no matter their gender.

I would encourage young women to focus on their careers and not be afraid to take on new and exciting challenges. – Shirley Loh – MA Regional Managing Director OMM, Malaysia

The driving force behind our team at Owen Mumford Malaysia, Shirley Loh is our Regional Managing Director and plays a crucial role in leading our operations throughout the Asia-Pacific region. As a key part of our management team, Shirley often acts as a mediator, resolving issues, bringing in new ideas and perspectives, and building a united and productive work environment. She understands the additional pressures women face raising a family and how that can affect career progression, recalling how she once put off more demanding roles early in her career due to raising a young family. Ultimately, she believes that flexible work options and ambition from women everywhere are the path forward, as women can adapt and succeed in any situation.