A music industry veteran has been praised – but also criticised – for posting a job ad specifying that he wants to hire a "woman under thirty" as his assistant and ultimately business partner. Andy Inglis of 5000 Management, whose clients include Mercury Prize-nominated electronic musician East India Youth, explains in the ad that he is "tired of looking around and seeing people who look like me (middle-aged white men) running the industry," adding: "I won't help to perpetuate institutionalised sexism. You can probably report me under the Equality Act 2010, but I'll just remove mention of hiring a woman in the post, pretend I'm abiding with the terms of the Act, then go ahead and hire a woman anyway."
Though 43-year-old Inglis admits in the ad that the age restriction isn't absolute, writing "you're over 30, fine; tell me why I'm an idiot not to consider you for the role", he goes on to outline why he decided to impose it in the first place. "A younger person is more likely to have avoided 'my' industry and is looking to create their own, or to reshape what's there. They're more likely to have new ideas, to have enthusiasm, to be opened minded (sic), to have less going on in their life that might preclude them committing to my business, soon to become their business, to be willing to learn, to challenge, to question," he writes. "We need better executives, we need them to look something other than white and male. This is one of the ways I've chosen to help. You're at liberty to choose your own way."
The reaction on Twitter has been largely positive, with one follower posting, "Thanks for trying to change things!" and another writing, "Nice to see men approaching women in a male dominated industry." However, another follower tweeted at Inglis, "Ageism may well be the new sexism. Have I found my new panel angle? If so, thank YOU, grey old man." Inglis has since tweeted: "Now I'll just spend my day arguing with people on the internet about my wanting to hire a young person." Check out a selection of reactions to the job ad below.
@5000mgmt Ageism may well be the new sexism. Have I found my new panel angle? If so, thank YOU, grey old man.
— Ineke Daans (@inekedaans) April 14, 2016
@5000mgmt thankyou for setting an example - I wish more people would make the job application process interesting and engaging (and fair).
— Natasha (@natashadaniels) April 14, 2016
@5000mgmt love this so much. I'd work for you in a heartbeat. Alas, I'm across the pond. Best of luck, thanks for trying to change things!
— Kat Burns (@therealkatburns) April 14, 2016
@5000mgmt disappointed at lack of 'must have shiny shoes' but apart from that it's the best job advert ever
— Kates Bush (@katesbush) April 14, 2016
@5000mgmt awesome .. Is it full time or part time ? Nice to see men approaching women in a male dominated industry
— Harman KAUR (@harman_kb) April 14, 2016
@5000mgmt nailed it <3
— Mimi L. Gabino (@MimiGabino) April 14, 2016
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