How to tackle the lack of diversity in the world of financial services

Women now account for a third of financial sector board roles, read the headlines earlier this month, after New Financial published its latest report.

Its paper, which provided a five-year review of the government's Women in Finance Charter, provided cause for optimism and concern. On one hand, it found that representation on boards has increased 39% between 2016 and 2021. Yet, the fundamental fact that women made up only 32% of board members at financial services firms in the UK was hardly a cause for jubilant celebration. A bit like the arrival of the long-awaited ‘Freedom Day', the moment fell flat. In reality, it was a reminder of how much progress is still to be made in improving diversity in the finance sector. Of course, this...