_Championing women in data: growing the community in India

Managing a growing global and diverse team, Paula Rudkin, Head of Data Management at Knight Frank, is at the forefront of our rapidly evolving data culture.

Two of Paula’s passions are data and equality. She believes if there is no gender balance in data, then there is a high risk of gender bias.

To fully overcome the multiple and varied data challenges ahead, she highlights the importance of gender balance and inclusion and the significance of providing an inspiring career development path for future female leaders in data.

In March 2023, Paula set up an inaugural Women in Data® (WiD) event in India in partnership with the M&G data team and the Women in Data team, held at Knight Frank’s Mumbai offices. Over 60 people attended – women and their male allies to discuss bringing more balance across data. This was a successful collaboration with M&G, who are also firm believers in championing diversity.

^{Women in Data event in Mumbai, India} 

Paula said, "Alongside M&G, we took home a joint Bigger, Bolder, Braver Partnership Award at the latest Women in Data® partner meet-up. This award was for setting up the first Women in Data® community in India as well as hosting their very first event in the country. We're very proud of our colleagues involved in getting this off the ground."

Speaking about the award, the Women in Data® team highlighted, "Their collaborative meet-up [between Knight Frank and M&G] brought Women in Data® to India, starting a new chapter of inspiration and community. We are proud to have such passionate partners that truly embody our vision for gender parity in the data and analytics sector."

^{Women in Data event in Mumbai, India} 

Sugandh Tiwari, Senior Lead Data Engineer and Women in Data Partnership Lead, Mumbai at M&G said, “We hosted our first WiD event together with Knight Frank in India in celebration of Women’s History Month and will continue collaborating with them to nurture and grow the WiD movement in India.”

The impact is growing, with more events being planned. In August, M&G will host an event in Mumbai, which will be open to many more organisations.

Discover how we're championing Diversity, Equality and Inclusion