International Women’s Day reflections by Nicola Moore-Miller

On International Women’s Day, our trailblazing Global CEO Nicola Moore-Miller celebrates our 70% female-staffed business, speaks out about her female role models and shares her hopes for a future with greater gender equity. Handing over the floor to Nicola…

Happy International Women’s Day

At Jayva, we join today’s International Women’s Day celebrations. That’s because we’re a business created by a female entrepreneur – me. It’s because 17 of our 24 staff are women – that’s a 70/30 female-male ratio. It’s because we’re breaking the mould for male dominance in legal practice management consulting – historically, it’s been a male-led sector. It’s because our roots lie in Manchester, the base of our head office and majority of our workforce – the home of the suffragette movement. It’s because we rely upon formidable women to drive Jayva forward – wellbeing and performance psychologist Dr Lisa Ahmad amongst them.

For all these reasons (and more), we wish every woman globally the very best of International Women’s Days.

Personal meditation

On a personal level, I’m inspired daily by strong women and have been throughout my life. My first inspiration came in the form of my grandma. She was a pioneering businesswoman who established her own company in her 30s during an era when the general expectation was women being housewives and homemakers.

In fact, my grandma achieved it all. She grew a very successful enterprise which afforded my family privileges others didn’t, such as a holiday property in Spain. At the same time, she was a truly amazing wife, mum and grandma.

Being a matriarch and entrepreneur simultaneously is no mean feat. I’m a believer that you can have it all in life, but you can’t have it all at once. Ultimately, sacrifices and compromises are made along the way. In my own quest for a great life, home and career, I’ve come to realise this truth. Thankfully, I have a supportive team around me – family, friends, colleagues, associates and partners – to turn my dreams into reality.

Pride and praise

I’m proud of what we’ve achieved at Jayva. 24 employees, three global locations and hundreds of happy clients later, I’m the owner of an international business serving law offices in the UK, USA and Ireland with all manner of management, compliance and accounting conundrums by embracing technology, investing in their people, improving their data quality and realigning processes – the four cornerstones.

But, I didn’t get where I am today single-handedly. I’m extremely grateful to the people who’ve helped me. On International Women’s Day, I thank those who make Jayva ‘magic’ happen day in, day out.

The gender equity goal

The 8th March annual observance of women’s achievements and awareness-raising about gender disparities has gathered momentum over the years. When you consider women’s valuable contributions to our society and recognise some of the discriminations faced on their journey, it’s easy to see why International Women’s Day is such cause for celebration.

Of course, today is predominantly about the female contingent but everyone is entitled to gender equity – that’s equal opportunities regardless of gender, race, class, sexuality, whatever. In my mind, true equality for women and men alike is the essence of International Women’s Day.