Inspirational Women: Accelerating Action with Helen Owen, Product Marketing Manager at Humanscale

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, Design Insider is proud to present a special series highlighting Inspirational Women leading the way in commercial interiors. These visionary professionals are shaping the industry through experience, their unique approach, and a commitment to driving meaningful change.

This year’s theme, Accelerate Action, underscores the urgent need to dismantle systemic barriers and fast-track progress toward gender equality. At the current rate, full parity won’t be reached until 2158—five generations from now. By amplifying the voices of women who are making a tangible impact, we aim to inspire industry-wide action and showcase effective strategies that help move the needle faster.

In this exclusive interview series, we speak with Helen Owen, Product Marketing Manager at Humanscale, to explore her journey, insights, and the initiatives she supports to create a more inclusive and equitable commercial interiors sector. From championing rising talent to breaking down barriers in leadership, she shares how we can all contribute to a future where women thrive.

Can you start by introducing yourself, your role, and your business? What drives your passion for the work you do?

I’m Helen Owen, Product Marketing Manager at Humanscale, the leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance ergonomic products and consultancy services. Through innovative, human-centred design, Humanscale transforms office essentials into ergonomic tools that encourage movement and enhance well-being, wherever work happens.

As a certified B Corporation, Humanscale is committed to sustainable, planet-positive manufacturing and transparency. A significant portion of our product portfolio is certified climate-positive by the International Living Future Institute’s Living Product Challenge. Our mission is to leave the world better than we found it—one product at a time.

The Humanscale Consultancy team is dedicated to improving worker performance, maximising overall comfort, reducing injury risks, and helping businesses create healthier, high-performing work environments.

Having spent years in the office furniture industry alongside innovative teams and brands, I’m passionate about thoughtful design and forward-thinking solutions. At Humanscale, I’ve found a company that challenges industry norms with a deep commitment to sustainability and human well-being—two principles that drive me every day.

The 2025 International Women’s Day theme is “Accelerate Action.” In your experience, what are the most pressing challenges women face in the commercial interiors sector, and how can they be addressed faster?

Women in the commercial interiors sector face challenges common across many industries: the cost of childcare, work-life balance, and the need for greater recognition of pregnancy, maternity, and menopause-related needs in the workplace.

To accelerate change, we need more flexible working arrangements, stronger policies that support women at all life stages, and workplace cultures that actively champion inclusion rather than simply accommodate it. Education and awareness are key—leaders must understand the barriers women face so they can take intentional steps to remove them.

Supporting organisations that uplift women is a cornerstone of this year’s campaign. Are there any groups, initiatives, or movements within the commercial interiors industry—or beyond—that you actively support or draw inspiration from? How can individuals and businesses in this sector help accelerate their impact?

The Fawcett Society is doing incredible work campaigning for equal pay, equal power, and challenging gender stereotypes. They’re currently collaborating with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) on a study into gender equity in architecture, set to be published in 2025. The report will build on existing research and explore why progress remains slow despite well-known barriers. The hope is that its recommendations will drive meaningful change across the industry.

Women in Office Design (WOD) is another impactful organisation dedicated to supporting women in the office design and furniture industry. It provides a networking platform for architects, designers, specifiers, sales professionals, manufacturers, and dealers to connect, share knowledge, and access new opportunities.

Research shows that women tend to network less than men, which can limit career growth. WOD exists to change that by fostering a global community that inspires, shares, and uplifts women in our industry. Businesses and individuals can accelerate their impact by actively participating in these networks, mentoring emerging professionals, and advocating for female leadership. I highly recommend attending their events—they’re insightful, feature inspirational speakers, and create a supportive space for meaningful connections.

Which other inspirational women are disrupting the commercial interiors sector or related fields right now, and what impact will their work have on the future of the industry and society?

Kate Usher is making a significant impact as a menopause and organisational culture specialist. She is helping companies create inclusive environments where women feel supported throughout their careers rather than being pushed out due to menopause-related challenges.

Her work addresses key issues:

• Women leaving organisations in their 40s and 50s due to lack of support.
• A shortage of female applicants for senior roles.
• The need for greater engagement from men in menopause initiatives.
• Managerial resistance to additional training.

By reshaping corporate policies, increasing awareness, and engaging leadership, Kate is ensuring that workplaces retain and empower experienced women—an essential step toward gender equity. Alongside high-profile advocates like Davina McCall and Mariella Frostrup, she is bringing menopause to the forefront of workplace conversations, encouraging businesses to educate, inform, and retain female talent.

One of the IWD principles emphasizes understanding what works and doing more of it. What strategies, tools, or practices within the commercial interiors sector are effectively advancing women in leadership, design, or business? How can these be scaled for greater impact?

One of the most effective strategies is promoting flexible working by default. Research shows that explicitly advertising flexible roles increases applicant pools by 19–30%. When businesses list roles or promotions as open to part-time or job-sharing, applications from women rise significantly.

Another proven approach is structured interviews for hiring and promotions. Unlike unstructured interviews, which allow bias to creep in, structured interviews ensure fairness by:

• Asking all candidates the same set of predetermined questions.
• Using standardised grading criteria to compare responses objectively.

Scaling these strategies requires leadership commitment, policy adjustments, and ongoing accountability. Widespread adoption of these approaches will create a more inclusive and equitable industry.

What advice would you give to young women looking to make their mark in the commercial interiors sector? How can they contribute to the global effort to accelerate action for gender equality?

Find a mentor. Having mentors has been invaluable to my career—some have provided long-term guidance, while others helped me navigate specific challenges. Many companies offer formal mentoring programs, but even if they don’t, don’t hesitate to reach out to someone you admire for insight.

Networking groups and platforms like onemillionmentors.org.uk can also help. By learning from those who have paved the way, young women can accelerate their careers while contributing to the broader push for gender equality in our industry.

Also, embrace every opportunity to broaden your horizons. Empathy drives change, and understanding comes from exposure. By engaging with diverse people, industries, and cultures, you gain new perspectives, which help you innovate, lead, and advocate for best practices.

At the current rate of progress, full gender equality won’t be achieved until 2158. If you could accelerate one key change within the commercial interiors sector to close the gender gap sooner, what would it be?

Offer part-time and flexible working options as the default, combined with greater awareness of unconscious bias.

Unconscious bias affects hiring, promotions, and workplace culture. Studies show that people often perceive themselves as fairer than they actually are. Simple, practical changes can help address this:

• Offer part-time and flexible roles as standard rather than the exception.
• Implement structured hiring and promotion processes to reduce bias.
• Educate leaders and employees on how unconscious bias shapes decision-making and how to counteract it.

These steps will create a more inclusive workplace—one where talent is recognised for its true value, regardless of gender.

What message would you like to share with the global community this International Women’s Day to inspire collective action toward gender equality?

The data is clear: gender-balanced teams are more engaged, more innovative, and more successful.

Investing in gender equality isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business. Organisations that prioritise diversity see better collaboration, stronger decision-making, and improved financial performance.

But progress won’t happen on its own. Every leader, company, and individual has a role to play in accelerating change. By supporting women, challenging biases, and creating inclusive workplaces, we don’t just advance gender equality—we build better businesses and stronger communities for everyone.

This International Women’s Day, let’s commit to taking real, measurable action. The time for change is now.