Job-sharing set-up leaves charity in two pairs of safe hands
A CHARITY has become the first in Wales to have two chief executives – in a new flexible job-sharing arrangement.
Bernie Bowen-Thomson, who has been deputy chief executive at Cardiff-based Safer Wales for eight years, will now share the CEO role with Barbara Natasegara, who is reducing her working week.
The arrangement sees Ms Natasegara working three days a week as chief executive alongside Ms Bowen-Thomson, whose deputy CEO role will no longer exist. Ms Bowen-Thomson will continue to work five days a week.
The charity’s board of trustees approved the request as part of a commitment to flexible working and what they described as the “empowerment of women at all stages in their lives and careers.”
Safer Wales offers support to people who are suffering domestic abuse, hate crime or harassment.
Ms Bowen-Thomson has worked with Safer Wales in various capacities since 2000, with other roles in Welsh Government, the Home Office and the Gwent Criminal Justice Board in between.
She said: “I have enjoyed a close working relationship with Barbara for many years and I am delighted we will now be sharing the CEO role and working together to direct the charity’s vital work”
Ms Natasegara said: “I am excited to be sharing the role with Bernie and look forward to continuing our successful partnership. I am also looking forward to taking some time to explore other avenues in public service as well as to pursue my personal interests and study.”
Safer Wales chair Terry Flynn said: “The board of trustees was more than happy to endorse this proposal, and we believe we are getting the best for Safer Wales.
“Barbara and Bernie both have a passion for social justice, equality, integrity of practice and transparency, and have many skills in common as well as their own individual specialisms.”
A 2011 survey of women in seven global organisations by specialist recruitment agency Capability Jane found that 61% would like to work part-time by job-sharing.
Last year research by flexibility experts Timewise and funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that 14.1 million workers, 46% of those in employment in the UK, wanted flexible working.