MPs have backed an Association of Accounting Technicians recommendation to extend the Women in Finance Charter to cover all businesses in the UK.
The charter, which officially launched in 2016, asks financial services firms to commit to implement four key industry actions:
- to have a named senior executive responsible and accountable for gender diversity and inclusion;
- to set internal targets for gender diversity in senior management positions;
- to publish progress annually and
- ensure the pay of the senior executive team is linked to delivery against these internal targets on gender diversity.
Signed by in excess of 300 financial services firms, including the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), it currently remains limited to the finance sector.
But Phil Hall, head of policy and public affairs at the AAT, would like to see the charter widened in scope and renamed the Women in Business Charter.
According to Mr Hall, MPs back the widening of the charter, with a recent AAT survey undertaken by YouGov indicating that 54 per cent would support a change to incorporate all sectors of the economy.
The trade body's push to broaden the charter comes as Financial Adviser has developed the Diversity in Finance Awards.
The awards will look at individuals who have demonstrated their support for minority groups and promoted and inspired those who are otherwise under-represented.
Companies whose policies, schemes or initiatives encourage and enable diversity in the workplace will also be applauded at a black-tie dinner and presentation ceremony on June 20 in London.
It is free to enter these awards - all you need to do is share your unique and inspiring stories of how you have worked to improve employment conditions and opportunities for one or many underrepresented groups in 2018.
Click here to enter.
emma.hughes@ft.com
