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Team at the top: Judith Armstrong (front) with her executive team
Charity can begin at home
It’s often referred to as a wealth tax but for Muslims, Zakat is one of the foundations of their religion. Zakat, the obligatory giving
of alms, is based on personal wealth and involves donating 2.5% of that to the poorest and neediest after one Islamic (lunar) year. Research has shown that
Muslims in the UK donate £100 million during Ramadan and that they are the most generous donors to charity, giving an average of £371 per year. It’s not surprising then that
mainstream non-Muslim charities are beginning to woo Muslim donors with the marketing of Zakat-eligible programmes. With many giving Zakat to
help people in other countries where they feel the need is greater, there have also been increasing calls for these donations to be given and used in the UK. It’s a bit more complex
though than just saying ‘they should give Zakat to everyone’. For example, there is still ongoing debate over whether any Zakat can be given to any non-Muslim – many Muslim scholars will argue that it cannot. However, there are other
forms of charity (the principal one is known as Sadaqah) that Muslims can – and already do – give quite generously to help people in need irrespective of their religion, race, colour or creed. So charity truly can and does begin at home.
14 CHAMBERLINK July/August 2018
Three women who cracked ‘glass ceiling’
The Government-backed Alexander-Hamilton Review revealed “outrageous reasons” for not ensuring that talented women at the top of business were not recognised, promoted or rewarded. But with both the BBC and ITV breaking new ground during this summer’s World Cup with their use of female commentators, presenters and pundits, have times changed? Chamberlink tested what was happening in Greater Birmingham by speaking to three high-flyers – Judith Armstrong, Abigaile Bromfield and Sarah-Jane Marsh. Jessica Brookes reports.
Judith Armstrong, chief executive officer at Millennium Point and Millennium Point Trust, announced earlier this year that her executive team would be all- female. What does she think of diversity
in the city? “Birmingham is an
extraordinarily diverse city where we are blessed with inspirational people who do reflect this. But achieving diversity in leadership – in the top jobs as you describe them – is still a challenge across the country and indeed across the Western world,” she said. “All of us that work, and especially those who can influence, have a duty to demonstrate that there are great opportunities with openings in every sector and at every level.” Abigaile Bromfield, associate director and planning manager at
Arup, was listed as a ‘Woman of Influence’ in the Royal Town Planning Institute’s ‘The Planner’ awards, and has been appointed to Midland Heart’s finance and business committee. She also spent a year seconded
to the Implementation Unit at the Cabinet Office, which directly serves the Prime Minister. Abigaile demonstrates a true passion for town planning, who values “honesty, integrity and a sense of humour” in all leaders. She added: “I am really proud to
be a town planner and a qualified mediator both of which work hand-in-hand when working with multiple stakeholders.” In terms of diversity in her own
workplace, Abigaile is positive that one of the region’s biggest employers is supporting women in top jobs. She said: “I think Arup is a very
positive organisation to work for in terms of supporting diversity but we are still trying to improve opportunities for women and flexible working practice is still a challenge. “I have not always experienced
positive support in previous organisations and have been very aware of how few female leaders there are in the development sector (public and private). “Attending MIPIM brought that
home to me. We really should have more diversity in those organisations that are leading the design and development of our future environments.” The public sector in Greater Birmingham is also prominent in promoting female leaders. Sarah-Jane Marsh, winner of last
year’s Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce President’s Award and chief executive of
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