You need to enable JavaScript in order to use the AI chatbot tool powered by ChatBot

Does the financial industry need gender quotas?

Andrew Barnes our consultant managing the role

Should FTSE 100-listed finance firms introduce mandatory gender quotas in order to increase the number of women on their boards, or would this smack of tokenism and not allow for the organic development of gender diversity?

It's an argument that can be heard in staff-rooms and canteens across the financial services industry, with the topic often proving somewhat emotive.

There is no doubt gender diversity has improved in the UK over the last few decades, but the financial services sector remains largely dominated by men, particularly at the top level.

In the latest Financial Director/Accountancy Age online debate, 24 per cent of respondents voted for the implementation of targets, while 76 per cent felt sponsorship programmes and other measures would be preferable.

Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the Trades Union Centre (TUC), wrote in favour of mandatory targets, suggesting the corporate world would be "a far better place" if boards were to become more diverse and reflective of modern society.

"I don't believe for a minute that all of the middle aged, white men who currently make up the majority of this country's boards were appointed because they were better than all other women in the field," she added.

Quotas are simply a way of levelling the playing field and allowing women to compete fairly with men, concluded the TUC chief.

However, her suggestion was challenged by others taking part in the debate, with KPMG partner Melanie Richards suggesting that a quota would only provide a "quick fix" rather than addressing the structural and developmental issues facing financial services firms.

Ms Richards is a founding member of the 30 Per Cent Club Steering Committee, which hopes to drive economic growth through increasing diversity.

The organisation comprises a group of chairmen committed to increasing the number of women on FTSE 100 boards - they are currently 19 per cent female on average. It hopes to influence policy by engaging with the media and speaking at schools and universities.

11/04/16
jobs

Related jobs

Specialist FSSC

Salary:

Up to €60,000 per annum

Location:

Rotterdam, South Holland

Industry

Energy, Resources and Industrial

Qualification

None specified

Market

Professional Services

Salary

£50,000 - £60,000

Job Discipline

Part Qualified & Transactional Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Als Specialist Financiële Processen SSC binnen een toonaangevende organisatie draag je zorg voor een efficiënte en effectieve afhandeling van financiële administratieve processen.

Reference

BBBH184301

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Aram  Outmaijjer Find out more
Head of FSSC

Salary:

Up to €84,000 per annum

Location:

Rotterdam, South Holland

Industry

Manufacturing

Qualification

Fully qualified

Market

Professional Services

Salary

£70,000 - £80,000

Job Discipline

Qualified Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Ben jij een financiële professional met sterke analytische vaardigheden en een strategische visie? Heb je een passie voor procesoptimalisatie en het verbeteren van financiële dienstverlening?

Reference

BBBH184300

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Aram  Outmaijjer Find out more
Group Reporting Manager

Salary:

£65,000 - £73,000 per annum + Excellent Benefits Package

Location:

Manchester, Greater Manchester

Industry

Consumer & Retail

Qualification

Fully qualified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£70,000 - £80,000

Job Discipline

Qualified Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Exciting Group Reporting Finance Manager for a leading retail organisation based in Manchester offering hybrid working paying circa £70,000.

Reference

BBBH184314

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Nathan  Jones

Author

Nathan Jones
Find out more
Transactional Finance Manager

Salary:

Negotiable

Location:

Horsham, West Sussex

Industry

Technology

Qualification

None specified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£60,000 - £70,000

Job Discipline

Part Qualified & Transactional Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Our high growth client in the tech/SAAS industry are looking for a new Transactional Finance Manager to join their finance team.

Reference

129384

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Harry Latham

Author

Harry Latham
Find out more
Tax Accountant

Salary:

Up to £45,000 per annum

Location:

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Industry

Business Services

Qualification

None specified

Market

Financial Services

Salary

£40,000 - £50,000

Job Discipline

Tax

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

.

Reference

BBBH184306

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Aleksandra  Taranovskaja Find out more
Credit Controller

Salary:

£30,000 - £32,000 per annum

Location:

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Industry

Business Services

Qualification

None specified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£30,000 - £35,000

Job Discipline

Part Qualified & Transactional Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Credit Controller in Leeds

Reference

BBBH184266

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Cameron  Walsh

Author

Cameron Walsh
Find out more
DMS Developer

Salary:

Up to £36,000 per annum

Location:

City of London, London

Industry

Professional Services

Qualification

None specified

Market

Professional Services

Salary

£35,000 - £40,000

Job Discipline

Software Development

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

DMS Developer

Reference

BBBH184283

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Shammi  Choudhury Find out more
View all jobs