Women are largely absent from the leadership ranks of the financial services sector worldwide. While they comprise two-thirds of financial support staff and half of professionals, their numbers decline as they move up the hierarchy to less than one-quarter of all executives. The unequal representation of women in decision-making roles of financial service institutions results in a huge untapped opportunity. This session highlighted the challenges financial institutions face to achieving a gender balanced and inclusive senior leadership, and showcased best practice approaches and initiatives to advancing and retaining women in senior leadership.
Key Points
ROBERT BAKER, Leader of Diversity & Inclusion Consulting, Mercer
(Member Content: Presentation)
SELIM R. F. HUSSAIN, Managing Director & CEO, BRAC Bank
PETER VAN MIERLO, CEO, FMO
JULIE BAKER, Head of Enterprise & Community Finance Commercial & Private Banking, NatWest
CONSTANZA GORLERI, Sustainability Manager, Banco Galicia
Unfortunately based on where we are now, we have a greater chance of seeing pigs fly than making enough progress towards 50/50 in the C-Suite.
— Robert Baker
The topic is a challenge for us, to be honest. … Out of 10 senior executives reporting to me, we had 2 women – and one resigned a couple of weeks ago.
— Selim R. F. Hussain
It’s not about making equal opportunities. If you want to make it fair, you have to give more opportunities to women. … It’s about hiring the right person for the team.
— Peter van Mierlo
When I started with the bank years ago, people assumed I was the secretary. NatWest looks very different today than when I originally joined.
— Julie Baker
Women’s higher education is greater, and they complete their degrees faster than men. … Our challenge is around getting women into decision-making positions.
— Constanza Gorleri