12
Women in the UK Intelligence Community
“… it is the variety of
ideas, the competition,
the challenge, the
lack of ‘group think’,
and the interesting
collaborations, that
a diverse workforce
brings to an
organisation.”
10. In 2013, the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (the
equivalent of SIS) commissioned a report to look at improving career
progression for women in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), after
concerns over the low percentage of women being promoted into
senior roles. The ‘Women in Leadership’ report8 was produced by
the Director’s Advisory Group, led by former US Secretary of State
Madeleine K. Albright. It states – in clear and unambiguous language
– that “not maximising women’s talents and expertise directly and
negatively impacts the mission”. The Director of the CIA welcomed
the report and emphasised its wider benefits, saying:
… perhaps the most important point I want to make here is
that the recommendations will benefit not just women of our
workforce, but the entire workforce. These recommendations are
about developing and managing all of our people in a way that
optimizes talent.
The UK Agencies have talent – the Committee has seen first hand
the commitment and dedication of their staff. It is therefore right to
consider what more can be done to develop and manage them, and
to be clear that any improvements that can be made will benefit not
just the women in those organisations, but all members of staff.
8
‘Women in Leadership’, CIA Director’s Advisory Group. An unclassified copy of the
report, published in March 2013, can be found on the CIA website (www.cia.gov).