A FIRM in Hampshire has been named one of the leading female-led companies in the UK.

Waste management specialist CSG, based in Fareham, was included in a list of 200 businesses published by JP Morgan Private Bank.

The report says women were disproportionately affected by the pandemic and highlights the best-performing businesses founded, led, owned or managed by women.

CSG is principally owned by sisters Heather Gould and Hilary Hart – the daughters of founder Edgar 'Bunny' Hart –and their four daughters, while half its eight directors are women.

Treatment director Jen Cartmell, who joined in 2019, said: “Heather and Hilary have overseen the growth of CSG extremely well and they value female representation on the board. I believe women bring different qualities to a business, which can enhance the way a business is run.

“There is a perception that waste management is a heavily male-dominated industry. While it’s true the vast majority of our drivers and site operators are male, there are many career opportunities for women within CSG and many of our high achievers are female, particularly in sales and management.

“We also have a high number of female depot co-ordinators and chemists. I’m really proud of the company’s diversity.”

She added: “We are an organisation that endeavours to make it easier for women to succeed. I started with CSG 16 years ago. I had a nine-month-old baby boy and wanted to return on reduced hours. CSG gave me the opportunity to do that because they wanted the best person for the job.

“Enabling women back into the workforce after maternity leave ensures we don’t lose skilled and talented employees.

“Of course, we have a business to run and the needs of the business have to be balanced with the need for flexible working, but ensuring our staff can balance their work around childcare arrangements contributes to a happy and thriving workforce.

“And this flexibility should also be extended to our male colleagues who have childcare responsibilities, or indeed other commitments to be taken into consideration.”

Oliver Gregson, region head at JP Morgan Private Bank, said: "Our report recognises the wide range of roles played by women in British business and it provides us with a deeper understanding of how we can help women tackle some of the systemic challenges they face and enable entrepreneurs, female funders and businesses powered by women to maintain their success.”

CSG, which was number 178 in the report, employs more than 500 people across the country, supporting a network of waste treatment and recovery centres.