An additional 36 WIF signatories will be announced shortly.
In collaboration with HM Treasury, New Financial held its second Annual Review of the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter today at the Guildhall in London, hosted by the City of London Corporation.
Speakers included John Glen MP, the economic secretary to the Treasury and City minister, Jayne-Anne Gadhia, the UK Government’s Women in Finance Champion, Gwyneth Nurse, director of financial services at HM Treasury, and Chris Woolard, executive director, strategy and competition at the Financial Conduct Authority.
Brightstar was an early adopter of the Women in Finance Charter, making the pledge back in 2016. Since this time, the charter has attracted 300 signatories, covering 800,000 financial services employees.
‘Go further and faster’
John Glen MP, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, stated that “an inclusive workforce is better for business and customers.” Signatories were then encouraged to, “go further and faster in your goals.”
John Glen said the initial aim of the Women in Finance Charter was to achieve an equal gender balance across the sector and thanked Dame Jayne Anne Gadhia, the government’s Women in Finance Champion, and all of the signatories for their commitment, citing Gadhia as “the genesis of the charter.”
Expressing dissatisfaction about the fact that financial services still has the largest gender pay gap of any sector and that it still feels like ‘a boys’ club’, Glen then added that it had taken a staggering 800 years for a woman to take her place as Lord Mayor of London. He reassured the audience that he was “absolutely keeping pressure up at his end”.
Clare Jupp, director of people development at Brightstar said: “I was delighted to attend this prestigious event today and it was fantastic to hear how the charter has extended its reach to cover over 800,000 financial services personnel. I am also proud to report and see ‘in print’ today that Brightstar is one of just 55 signatories out of the 300 that has met its targets.”
She continued: “I urge organisations from across the sector to make the pledge and sign the Charter.”
Brightstar is holding an event in London on 30 April for any organisation that is interested in becoming a Women in Finance Charter signatory.
Please contact Clare Jupp Clare@brightstarhub.co.uk for more details.
