A male champion of change advocating for women in the resources sector has taken out a top prize at this year’s Women in Resources National Awards.
Michael Schoch, Shell Australia’s general manger of the Crux project in Perth, was last night named as the Gender Diversity Champion in Australian Resources.
The awards were presented last night during a gala dinner in Adelaide.
Mr Schoch received the honour after being named the Gender Diversity Champion at this year’s Women in Resources state awards, organised by CME.
“Michael is a visible champion within Shell Australia for gender diversity and is a key advocate in affecting positive cultural change throughout the organisation and more broadly in WA through his wide reaching interactions in industry forums,” the judges said.
“He has worked across the business to build male champions of change in advocating for women in resources and has been instrumental in driving a review of Shell’s polices, guidelines and practices to identify where and how Shell could improve on its gender diversity journey.
“Michael’s track record includes tangibles like the child care centre in the new development in Perth – fundamental for retention, not just attraction. Michael sees and promotes the business imperative of diversity, not just the social imperative.”
The judges were impressed by Mr Schoch using his senior position to influence policy not just within his own global company but also across WA and the political arena.
Roy Hill general manager, commercial Claire Negus was also recognised, being highly commended in the Exceptional Woman In Australian Resources category.
CME chief executive Reg Howard-Smith congratulated Mr Schoch and Ms Negus for their work on improving gender diversity and women’s roles in the resources sector.
“If change is to occur at a company level then gender diversity needs to be embraced by both men and women. Michael Schoch, as a senior executive, is a prime example of this,” Mr Howard-Smith said.
“Western Australia and Shell should be proud of Michael’s passion and enthusiasm in effecting change throughout the business community for women working in resources.”
Nominations for the 2017 Women in Resources Awards will open later this month.
More information can be obtained at www.cmewa.com.
The full list of award recipients can be found at www.wirna.org.au.
