Kinetic eyes gender balance in first Future CEO program
Australasia’s leading mass transit company, Kinetic, has this week launched its first Future CEO program dedicated to fostering the growth and development of female leadership and transforming gender balance.
The Future CEO initiative is exclusively targeting women from a range of professional backgrounds to apply, as Kinetic seeks to address the structural and cultural barriers, and inequity, that exist in its business, industry and broader corporate community.
Kinetic is the largest bus operator in Australia and New Zealand. It has 5000 buses operating from 92 depots moving over 100 million people annually. A leader in battery electric bus (BEB) roll out, Kinetic’s mission is underpinned by a sustainability strategy prioritising gender equality, achieving net zero emissions, and fostering a safe and inclusive workplace for its 7300 people.
Three successful applicants will undertake an 18-month structured program beginning in April 2023. The program will be Melbourne-based with some induction time in Queensland. Participants will be given hands-on learning and exposure to all areas of mass transportation operation, as well as a dedicated mentor. Program graduates will be offered senior management roles at one of Kinetic’s world-class depot facilities.
Kinetic is seeking expressions of interest from people with passion, respect, integrity, humility and authenticity.
Kinetic Co-CEO Adam Begg says he was ashamed that less than 15 per cent of the company’s workforce were women.
“As the region’s largest bus operator we are determined to use our growing influence and responsibility to meaningfully enhance the communities in which we operate,” Mr Begg said.
“Now is the time to shift gender inequality and increase female participation in our workforce. We have set a target for gender equality by 2030, and we do not underestimate how incredibly ambitious and challenging it will be to meet this aspiration.
“The clock is ticking, and we want this program to be the catalyst to have 50 per cent women in our workforce by the end of the decade. We are only seven years away, we can’t afford to wait for incremental change and this initiative is one of many we have in place to fast track our progression. We want to look back on this period and know that we did something tangible to make a sustained change to the gender inequality which exists everywhere.”
Kinetic has been on an exciting growth journey over the past three years as it aspires to transform the public transport industry and the way people view bus travel. The company delivers government and private contracted bus services across Australia and New Zealand. It is also growing the region’s largest zero emission bus fleet with its network expanding to 300 electric buses in 2023. The company is aiming to convert its whole fleet to electric by 2035.
Women remain underrepresented in key decision-making roles across almost all industries in the Australian workforce comprising only 19.4% of CEOs, 32.5% of key management positions and just 18% of board chairs.
The gap between male and female participation is even greater in the transport industry. National Transport Commission data shows just 4.5% of Australian transport CEOs are women, and that women making up less than a third (27.4%) of the nation’s transport workforce*.
“We’re seeking applicants from a range of professional backgrounds who are frustrated with society’s inherent structural misogyny and who want to help make a difference for others who will follow behind them,” Mr Begg said.
“We aspire to be better and frankly this is our greatest opportunity and focus.”
Successful applicants in the Future CEO program will work alongside one of Kinetic’s Executive General Managers, Mackayla “Mack” Hanney, who oversees operations in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania and previously led the company’s M&A team.
Mack practised law at a tier one law firm before joining Kinetic to spearhead growth activities across Australasia and into the UK and Europe. She now leads a team of close to 2000 people who help connect and improve communities in Melbourne, Sydney and across Tasmania.
“We want to attract women who want to shatter glass ceilings. Kinetic is a place for people who enjoy being part of a broad and diverse team and who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves to get stuff done and do it well,” Ms Hanney said.
“We’re here to build long-lasting relationships with our people, passengers and stakeholders as well as stronger ties with communities. I know first-hand that the capabilities and skills developed as a lawyer or in other professional services are perfect to thrive in our industry.”
Further enquiries
Barrett Gibson
GM - Marketing & Communications
0424 647 488
barrettg@wearekinetic.com