BP wins 2006 Catalyst Award

11 January 2006, BP has been recognized with a Catalyst Award for successfully building inclusive environments and expanding opportunities for women at work.

The 2006 Catalyst Award, which will be formally presented by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at a ceremony in March, honors strategic business initiatives that result in the recruitment, development, and advancement of women in the workplace. Winners are required to demonstrate measurable improvement in their representation of women at top levels, including that of women of color.

Catalyst chose to recognize BP for its ‘Global Path to Diversity and Inclusion’ initiative, which aims to further prepare the company for the 21st century global marketplace by continuing to diversify its employee base, with particular emphasis on local representation in varied geographic markets.

Through the initiative, women’s representation among BP’s 600 most senior leadership positions - the first stage in its change process - increased from 9 percent to 17 percent between 2000 and 2005.

BP communicates the concept of diversity throughout the organization and works to ensure that its locally based leadership reflects the communities in which the company operates.
Led by Patti Bellinger, Group Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion, and a team of diversity and inclusion practitioners, the initiative comprises a range of programs, including career development offerings for diverse, high-potential employees; a diversity and inclusion index which tracks employees’ perceptions; global diversity networks; and dynamic workshops on issues related to gender, race, and nationality.

The Catalyst Award is presented annually to companies and firms with outstanding initiatives that result in women’s career development and advancement. Catalyst’s rigorous, year-long examination of initiatives and their measurable results culminates in intensive, on-site reviews at finalist companies.

BP will be honoured alongside The Chubb Corporation and Safeway, the other winners for 2006.

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