Welcome to our special series featuring the voices of our Male Allies at Co-Women. In this edition, we’re delighted to spotlight Jeremy Stockdale, an inspiring advocate for gender equity, who shares his journey from a long-standing career in banking to becoming a fervent supporter of feminism and allyship. Through his story, we explore the profound impact of embracing feminist values and how they can transform personal and professional worlds.
Take us back, where did your career begin?
A long time ago! I joined Barclays Watford branch as a fresh-faced graduate in 1992 and stayed for 27 years. I discovered that it was leadership rather than banking that particularly fascinated me and I had the privilege of leading large teams across the UK and Africa for the last 15 years of my career before leaving in 2019 to set up Ylead.
At what point did you realise that feminism was important to you?
As my career progressed, I began to appreciate the unique perspectives that women provided me as a leader. I subsequently ensured that I had a good gender balance in my times and this no doubt improved both the environment and the results we achieved. My real epiphany came some time later when Sarah Everard was killed and in response to my question - “What can I do to be a better male ally?” - a friend recommended I read two books – “Everyday Sexism” by Laura Bates and “Invisible Women” by Caroline Criado Perez. My eyes were opened to the realities faced by women and I’ve been learning ever since.
How do you define feminism?
For me, it’s about respect. Ensuring that people – whatever their gender identity – are treated fairly, respectfully and with dignity. It’s also about equality of opportunity. Too often, it’s seen as anti-men but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
What is your approach to men, or indeed women, who are in conflict with your values and why do you think this is?
I try to approach them with Curiosity and Compassion. I’m genuinely curious to understand different people’s perspectives – you don’t learn anything in echo chambers – and then understand why they feel the way they do, without judging them for it. It doesn’t always lead to a positive exchange but more often than not it’s led to a mutually respectful discussion, where we’ve learnt from each other.
What advice would you give to anyone striving for equality and perhaps afraid to speak out publicly or make a mistake?
I’d suggest 3 things:
(1) Accept that you will make mistakes and that’s ok
(2) Educate yourself: read books, watch Ted Talks, listen to podcasts and most importantly, listen to people with different lived experiences from you; the more you understand the more confident you will be
(3) Work out why it matters to you. Having a clear sense of purpose will help you find the courage to speak out
Where can we find you and learn more about your work?
LinkedIn is best as I write a blog every week – “On Wednesdays We Smash The Patriarchy” and I’m always delighted to connect with new people I can learn from and share ideas with.
Is there anything else you’d love us to know about you?
Yes, I have two beautiful children – Phoebe (21) and Toby (17). They provide the inspiration for much of my work.
What are your plans for the future?
To create Gender Equity around the world through Allyship!
Jeremy Stockdale's commitment to fostering gender equity and understanding across diverse spectrums of society highlights the critical role everyone can play in supporting equality. His actionable insights serve as a guiding light for those looking to make a difference but are unsure where to start. By embracing education, open dialogue, and a clear sense of purpose, each of us can contribute to a fairer and more inclusive world. Connect with him on LinkedIn to follow his weekly blog "On Wednesdays We Smash The Patriarchy," and join a growing community dedicated to smashing barriers and building bridges towards gender equity.
Let Jeremy's story inspire you to take action and become an ally in your own right, because every step forward is a step toward a more just society.
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