The Business Engagement Committee (BEC) was formed in 2010 and is responsible for building and maintaining critical information to support the case for increasing the number of women leaders.  The BEC is also responsible for direct engagement with key stakeholders to increase the speed and magnitude of change in enabling women leaders.

The formation of the BEC recognises CEW’s role in external advocacy and direct engagement with business leaders to encourage and assist them to attract, promote and retain talented women leaders. 

The role of the BEC is to:

• Initiate and develop projects that directly influence CEOs, Boards and Senior Executives which aim to promote the development and effective use of Australia’s female leadership talent.  Such projects may be undertaken by CEW alone or in conjunction with other relevant committees of CEW or external bodies.  Examples of such projects may be the:

o preparation and dissemination of information papers on the status of women and how to improve it;
o conduct and publication of surveys identifying progress made by women leaders;
o holding of seminars to discuss issues pertaining to the effective use of female talent; and,
o direct education of business leaders in the context of the ASX Diversity Principles reporting.

• Initiate direct engagement by CEW with key stakeholders for the advancement of women leaders, including but not limited to relevant Government agencies, industry associations and professional associations and individual companies.
• Oversee the ongoing relevance, updating and effective promotion of the CEO Kit for attracting, retaining and developing female talent.
• Encourage the engagement and support of CEW members in the BEC initiatives.

In performing its role, the BEC will also seek to reinforce the CEW brand as a leading force within Australia for the active and effective encouragement of and support for organisations to attract, promote and retain talented women leaders.