Press release: 7th March 2022
Carolyn Newbery, a key part of the company’s International Sales Organisation
International Women’s Day, on the 8th of March 2022, is a global event that encourages everyone to both identify and celebrate women’s achievements. The IWD #BreakTheBias theme asks us to collectively work together to forge women’s equality and create a gender equal world.
Whilst this is an important event, which will undoubtably continue to lead to greater opportunities for women, there are currently many women who hold senior positions across many different sectors, and can be seen as aspirational figures, proving that the “Glass Ceiling” if it still remains, is becoming thinner each year.
CME’s Carolyn Newbery is a shining example of a woman who has built a lengthy and successful career in what historically has been a male dominated field. In fact, in 1989 when Carolyn first entered an engineering environment, it is true to say that the world was a quite different place to that of today, especially in terms of the roles’ women could aspire to. Initially, Carolyn spent some 10 years as Sales Coordinator, supporting Sales Director David Weatherill with a variety of sales, shipping, and event administration tasks.
Following periods of maternity leave, Carolyn returned to work, initially on a part time basis. Carolyn explains: “During my time at CME and before having children, I really enjoyed my work and the opportunities available to me and I was determined to return to work as soon as possible. This enabled me to not only continue to make a contribution to the business through my role in sales, but also allowed me to keep pace with the new systems and technologies which were being adopted by the business.”
On returning to full time hours, some 6 years ago, Carolyn was able to diversify her activities within CME combining both sales and marketing activities and adopting a more customer-facing role within International markets. Prior to the pandemic, and the subsequent restrictions on travel, it was not unusual for Carolyn to be travelling to Egypt, India, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Dubai meeting customers and securing new business.
Carolyn comments: “I have always enjoyed the numerous opportunities that CME has given me over the years, and especially the chance to work Internationally with the different challenges these markets present in terms of attitudes and culture. It is immensely satisfying to not only succeed in securing new business for CME in these countries, but to be welcomed and respected by my contacts and customers.”
A combination of Carolyn’s, drive, and ambition, together with CME’s philosophy of encouraging employee development, has proven to be a recipe for success for both parties, with Carolyn now a key contributor to the ongoing success of the business and someone who clearly reinforces the potential for women in business.
