MENTOR: championing corporate flexibility

Kate Grussing, Sapphire Partners

A City banker and management consultant turned entrepreneur, 45-year-old Kate Grussing founded executive search firm Sapphire Partners in 2005. She’s on a mission to encourage companies to be more flexible in their approach to staff, especially senior women. ‘

Companies invest millions in the women they hire, but their return is generally poor,’ says Grussing. ‘Some women will not come back after maternity leave, or they may not have their talents fully recognised.’

So how does Grussing persuade firms to rethink the way they hire?

‘We work from a commercial basis, not a touchy-feely, PC one. If a company can get 100% of someone’s brain but that woman wants to work three days a week, her compensation will be 60% of her peers. That’s great value, as you can bet that woman is checking her messages after the kids go to bed, making sure she doesn’t miss anything.’

It’s not just working mums who are championed by Grussing. ‘Children are often the catalyst, but we also work with a lot of women who reach their thirties and realise, “I’ve not been on a date in a long time”, or that the only thing in their life is their work,’ she says. ‘I try to give all women the confidence to take risks.’ sapphirepartners.co.uk

What the judges said:
Karren Brady: ‘Kate is a real advocate for helping women get into and retain a position of power.’

Liz Garrett: ‘Kate has helped other women achieve what they maybe didn’t think was possible.’