News / Gender Pay Gap
Workplace equality advocate given honorary doctorate
An entrepreneur and advocate for workplace equality has been awarded an honorary degree for her services to the sector.
Dr Nanu, was given an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration by UWE Bristol in recognition of her efforts in addressing workplace inequalities and closing the gender pay gap.
Zara, who has been a pioneer in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the business world, was honoured for her significant contributions to fostering inclusive environments in the workplace.
Zara, a familiar figure at UWE Bristol, completed her PhD there in 2011 before working at a Young Women’s Trust center, where she provided support to women aged 18 to 30 seeking to break the vicious cycle of poverty.
Through Gapsquare, Zara provided organisations with valuable insights into pay disparities, helping businesses identify and rectify inequities within their workforce – photo: Gapsquare
In 2016, Zara founded Gapsquare, a revolutionary tech company that leveraged data analytics and machine learning to address the gender pay gap.
Through Gapsquare, Zara provided organisations with valuable insights into pay disparities, helping businesses identify and rectify inequities within their workforce. This innovative approach empowered companies to create more fair and inclusive working environments.
Following the acquisition of Gapsquare by RELX, a leading FTSE100 company, Zara continued her mission for workplace equality with the launch of WorkVue.
The new venture expands her focus to address broader workplace issues, including pay disparities, skills gaps, and labour market intelligence. Through WorkVue, Zara equips businesses and employees with vital data to foster fairer and more transparent workplaces.
Zara’s influence extends well beyond her entrepreneurial work. She is an active member of the Harvard Women’s Leadership Board at the Harvard Kennedy School, where she works with policymakers to advocate for legislation promoting pay transparency and accountability.
Her efforts in the DEI space have positioned her as a powerful global voice for gender equality and workplace reform.
Upon receiving her honorary degree, Zara said: “It is a tremendous honor to receive this degree. It inspires me and strengthens my commitment to creating a fair and equal future of work.”
According to Zara, her experiences with women’s charities in Moldova, the United States, and the UK have fueled her desire to use technology to address gender bias in the workforce.
Sarah Grabham, deputy head of the College of Business and Law at UWE Bristol, said: “Zara is a tireless advocate and a pioneering entrepreneur championing women in business, particularly in the South West.”
Main photo: UWE Bristol
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