Hanneke Smits: 'It might take a generation before the 30% Club doesn't need to exist'

Helping women into senior executive roles

In this interview with Investment Week, Hanneke Smits, CEO of BNY Mellon Investment Management, shares her priorities as newly-appointed global chair of the 30% Club, including pushing for more women in senior executive roles.

Taking the helm of the 30% Club seems a natural progression for Hanneke Smits as she brings to the role her experiences as an investor, as well as a senior leader who has supported women around her and championed diversity during her 30-year career. "Diversity has been important for me throughout my career," she says.  "I have personally benefited from very strong female role models and male mentors and sponsors. "When I was an investor, running diverse teams was really important and that goes beyond gender to getting diverse backgrounds around the table. There are lots of reports tha...