INDUSTRY NEWS
Removing barriers to women in leadership
The CBI( Confederation of British Industry) and the University of South Wales have published a new report calling for significant barriers to women achieving leadership roles to be removed.‘ From Aspiration to Action: Women’ s Leadership Pathways in Wales,’ a study by the University of South Wales and CBI Wales, is based on a survey of 249 female, male and non-binary professionals across different career levels and sectors.
The report concludes that cultural signals displayed in the workplace and leadership environment, as well as structural obstacles( such as being given greater responsibility without enough support), are the main barriers to leadership. A third key factor in people failing to achieve leadership roles is personal preferences and values, including prioritising work-life balance over career progression.
Launched on 11 November 2025, the report outlines the following key findings:
■ Workplace culture continues to reward a set of narrow personality traits. Of those surveyed, 86 % believe leadership still favours certain personas or groups of people.
■ Wellbeing pressures are holding careers back. A total of 83 % of respondents worry about burnout and 87 % say they are less attracted to leadership because of the impact that career progression can have on their work-life balance.
■ A total of 82 % of survey responses confirmed that caring responsibilities make it harder to progress into leadership. Around 72 % believe that part-time or flexible workers are excluded from such opportunities.
■ Only 10 % of survey participants say that they can access mentoring schemes. Mentoring is widely recognised by human resources professionals as the strongest lever for building confidence, capability and career progression.
The report calls for the tackling of cultural norms that limit confidence, widening access to flexible development and expanding the use of mentoring to meet the needs of women at different stages in their careers.
Co-authored by Dr. Lauren Josie Thomas, HR and leadership lecturer, Jayde Howard, and Dr. Shehla Khan of the University of South Wales, the report advises that universities, policymakers and professional networks must work together to co-create evidence-based solutions that make leadership pathways inclusive and accessible. The report’ s main recommendations are:
■ To make leadership sustainable and supportive by redesigning work roles to improve work-life balance, promote flexible working and the ability of staff to better manage their responsibilities.
The report also calls for investment in workplace wellbeing and the creation of psychologically safe spaces for staff.
■ Expansion of inclusive development and mentoring by providing role models that are visible in the workplace and development programmes that value diverse leadership traits and train / support mentors, with clear processes to build trust and prevent negative experiences.
■ Work to remove‘ invisible barriers’ to leadership by tackling cultural norms that limit access to people from a wide group of society and strengthen inclusion for LGBTQ +, disabled and neurodivergent professionals through research, networks and accessible opportunities.
Russell Greenslade, CBI Wales Director, said:“ Businesses and organisations across Wales must now strengthen and reform the routes into leadership, ensuring that every talented individual, regardless of background or circumstance, has the opportunity and confidence to reach their full potential. By unlocking the next generation of women leaders, we not only support greater equity but also drive forward sustainable economic growth.” n
www. cbi. org. uk
Chelar Tool & Die acquires new AIDA press
Chelar Tool & Die, Inc, which produces metalstamping press dies and stamped metal parts primarily for the appliance, HVAC and electrical industries, recently purchased an AIDA 630- metric ton straightside mechanical press. The new press has been installed in a 15,000 square-foot addition to Chelar’ s Belleville, IL( USA) facility. The addition was built specifically to house the new press.
“ Chelar will primarily utilise this press for die development and try-out for its die customers and also to stamp parts for metalstamping customers. The new AIDA model MCX-6300( 2) progressive die press features a 4,250 x 1,500mm bed and an 850mm die height,” AIDA-America, a metal stamping press manufacturer in Dayton, OH( USA) told ISMR.“ Chelar’ s president, Jared Katt, and vice president, Jim Rood, credit this press’ s die
The new AIDA model MCX-6300( 2) progressive die press.
height and latest technology with adding work that they could not perform on their existing presses. It enables them to build more technologically advanced dies incorporating complex die automation. A wide variety of parts that previously required five or six dies are now stamped on a single die in the 630-ton AIDA press, greatly improving efficiency,” it added.
AIDA is a supplier of metal stamping presses and metalforming equipment. AIDA servo and mechanical stamping presses are available in capacities from 35-4,000 tons and 1-800 strokes per minute. Single press, tandem line, high-speed, lamination and cold forging models for single stroke, transfer and progressive die applications provide a range of production capabilities. Material handling and automation systems for complete turnkey solutions are also offered. n
https:// www. chelar. com /
www. aida-global. com
ISMR December 2025 / January 2026 | ismr. net | 15