Diversity and Progression

We are hosting an upcoming event on Diversity and Progression.

Issues of diversity and progression, gender pay, and representation at senior levels in banking and financial services continue to be widely debated. With 51% female Institute Members and around 30% of our members identifying themselves as being an ethnic minority (other than white British), these issues remain at the top of our agenda.

The results of a new Diversity survey have revealed that both men and women working in financial services are positive about the opportunities for progression within the industry, with 70% of respondents of this view.

But for ethnic minorities, only half agreed that they personally had a good access to progression in the industry, with over 40% identifying unconscious bias as the leading issue that needs tackling, supported by diversity and inclusion training for all staff and leadership action to promote an inclusive image of the sector and do more to recruit from under-represented groups.

As well as career progression, the survey captured the views of Institute members on pay negotiation and transparency, talent development and retention and on the sorts of barriers that women and people from ethnic minority groups see as impeding progression in their own organisation, with similarly striking results.

Come and hear us discuss our findings from the research we conducted and latest thoughts from a group of industry academic experts on this topic.