In celebration of International Women's Day 2025, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the positive impact that women can have in the workplace as well as the significant strides being made to address gender equality at TB+A and beyond.
Kokil Gupta, Associate, sat down with us to discuss how inclusivity, flexibility and support systems are key to creating an environment where women feel empowered to be their very best.
Creating a supportive and inclusive environment
Kokil joined TB+A in 2015 and immediately noticed the level of support and flexibility offered to her, an invaluable aspect of the workplace that helped her thrive. Over the last 10 years, she has seen significant and consistent progress made with enhanced benefits such as maternity, as well as an 8% increase in female representation and the development of a detailed ‘Menopause Action Plan’ launching late 2025.
"From the flexibility around parental responsibility to the understanding of family commitments, this kind of support is vital," Kokil shares. "It creates a strong sense of belonging,” helping women at all levels to feel supported, respected and seen.
Building leadership from within
In her role, Kokil is passionate about mentorship and leadership, believing that to gain more women in leadership positions, we need to continue to build robust policies and create an environment where women feel encouraged to step up. She’s seen how women are great at managing multiple tasks and that flexibility is key to their success.
"Women are really good at multi-tasking and juggling responsibilities. Having the right support system in place helps them excel, whether it’s work or family commitments," she says. "I’ve found that building trust within teams and offering support outside of work creates a deeper connection and drives success."
One area Kokil believes needs further improvement is industry-wide awareness of women’s health issues, including postpartum depression and other physiological changes such as menopause. For her, awareness, normalising conversations on the topics as well as building a supportive environment within the workplace is vital.
The power of education and volunteering
As an advocate for encouraging young girls to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields, Kokil underlines the importance of role models in shaping the next generation of women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). She believes that introducing initiatives like "bring your child to work" days and volunteering at schools can have a lasting impact on young minds.
"We need to show girls that engineering and other fields are accessible to them," Kokil explains. "It's about having the right role models early on as that’s where the seed gets planted, inspiring them to be anything they want."
Kokil also gave a special mention to Claire Bower, Head of IMS and ESG, praising the incredible work she’s doing through initiatives such as Green Dragon's Den, which brings local schools together to empower and educate the younger generation on thinking green. “I want to give a big shoutout to Claire Bower. What she’s doing with primary schools and the Green Dragon’s Den project, for example, is amazing. Everyone needs to start giving back through volunteering.”
At TB+A, Kokil has witnessed the benefits of involving people in volunteer programmes and how it’s helping to inspire young girls. "It's all about giving back and creating those opportunities early. The more we do that, the more we can break down barriers."
Creating a healthier workplace for all
Finally, Kokil highlighted the importance of prioritising health and well-being, both for women and men, in the workplace. She feels strongly that a healthy work-life balance is crucial for everyone’s success, especially for those dealing with personal or family challenges. Kokil focuses on the importance of “treating people as humans, not just as resources”, recognising that not everyone can give 100% every day. This mindset creates a more compassionate and supportive environment where employees feel valued beyond just their work output.
"We’ve made great strides at TB+A with initiatives such as Mental Health Awareness Week and Time for Talk Day," Kokil reflects. "It’s so important to normalise discussions around health and well-being so that no one feels like they’re alone in their struggles."
At TB+A, initiatives such as Mental Health Awareness Week and Time for Talk Day have played a key role in normalising conversations around mental health. Kokil also expressed appreciation to Peter Anderson, Managing Partner, acknowledging how his openness about his own personal struggles has had a significant impact on all. “Peter has been amazing by being so honest about his own feelings, challenges and troubles. It has normalised it for everybody in the partnership. His willingness to be open about his own experiences has made it easier for others to do the same.”
These efforts not only promote a culture of empathy but also help people feel supported and safe to discuss mental health issues, which is essential in creating a healthy and productive workplace.
Accelerating action together
As we reflect on International Women’s Day and the need to 'Accelerate Action', Kokil’s insights remind us that achieving gender equality requires both individual and collective efforts. By supporting women in all stages of their careers, fostering flexible environments, offering mentorship and focusing on skills and attributes, we can work together to create an inclusive workplace where women thrive and lead.
Kokil’s story is one of resilience, mentorship and action. It shows that change is possible when we accelerate our efforts and empower women to take the lead.