In 2018 we signed the HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter to show our commitment to work together to build a more balanced and fair industry. The progression of women into senior leadership roles within Financial Services is part of us being a Responsible Business.
We have supported the Charter because we know a diverse workforce with an inclusive culture where everyone can feel that they belong means we can better serve our customers.
Initially we set an interim target of 30% of women in senior leadership roles by the end of 2020, and 35% by the end of 2023. At September 2022 we have 27% of women in senior leadership roles which is an increase from 24% when we signed the Charter. We are on track to achieve our target. We have also increased to three women on our Executive Committee out of eleven.
Lindsey Rix, our CEO, was listed in the HERoes Role Models List 2022.
Our Actions This Year
- Every people leader has a diversity and inclusion measure in their performance objectives reinforcing our collective responsibility
- We have created DEI metrics which are reviewed by our Executive Committee each month
- We have introduced diverse candidate shortlists for senior and other roles
- We have enhanced our bonus approach, with all periods of family absence now included in the calculation of annual bonus
- All colleagues are being encouraged to attend learning and awareness sessions on a variety of inclusion topics.
Our plans for 2023
We have more plans to increase female representation in senior roles in 2023 including:
- Tracking and reporting the success of diverse candidates through our selection process
- The introduction of talent development schemes
- A review of our people policies to be more inclusive
- Boosting our support to our Gender Balance Network
- Give further support specific to women’s health recognising differences
Further information can be found on our Women in Finance Charter page.