Opinion: We must prove what success diversity can bring

Why do I passionately believe in the Be Inspired campaign?

Well… I believe I have been very lucky to have worked in the fashion industry, which has a better rate of success in promoting women leaders. Just look at the list of ambassadors for the campaign and see the number that work in the clothing sector.

Fashion is not a black and white subject, it relies on a combination of instinct, flair, customer understanding and style. It needs an ability and bravery to take risks on predicting the right trends for the future, both macro and micro, not just in garments but in market terms. It’s about getting that more right than wrong in an unpredictable environment, as well as having a laser-like focus on margin and operations.

Customers increasingly want new, they want a focus on them and not a generic customer. They want an offer that is looking forwards not backwards and innovation in not just the products but the retail solutions.

Who said these skills are exclusively successful in fashion?

I would challenge that for the success in the future of any business, these skills are needed around any board table.

How do we encourage an increased number of women in boardrooms across all industries?

I believe some of the issue is that we tend to like and appoint people in our own mould.

With boardrooms that consist mostly of men, we are potentially in for a continuing legacy unless we can educate, promote, fast track, inspire and provide role models for the young aspiring women in businesses and prove what success diversity can bring.

This is not a glass ceiling, but a dam that needs to come down and which will start a brick at a time, but will gain momentum as success breeds success.

• Fiona Lambert is former vice-president of own-brand design and development at Asda and an ambassador for Retail Week’s Be Inspired campaign.