Breaking the Class Barrier Event: Increasing socio-economic diversity at senior levels

 I am looking forward to attending this event. 

Breaking the Class Barrier Event: Increasing socio-economic diversity at senior levels

 Why should businesses increase socio-economic diversity at senior levels, and how?

What can government, regulators and sector bodies do to incentivise employer action?

Thursday 3 November 2022, 08:30-10:30 

Guildhall, Livery Hall, Gresham Street, EC2V 7HH 

 Join business leaders, industry bodies, regulators and government representatives from across UK financial and professional services to ensure that, together, we build a thriving sector, where talented people from all backgrounds can achieve their full potential.

Hear how, through committing to greater socio-economic diversity at senior levels, employers can boost access to talent, enhance reputation, and protect their license to operate - while promoting fairness and equity.

Come and hear more about the launch of two new reports offering businesses with the practical support and framework needed to boost socio-economic diversity at senior levels in UK financial and professional services. 

Together we can create a sector that attracts the best and most diverse talent and support their long-term success.

          Places are limited, so please RSVP here

The Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce was commissioned by HM Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to boost socio-economic diversity in UK financial and professional services.

The Taskforce is the first of its kind and has a vision for equity of progression – where high performance is valued over ‘fit’ and ‘polish’

LAPFF Roundtable on Socio-Economic Diversity: 23 March

 

Invitation: LAPFF Roundtable on Socio-Economic Diversity: 23 March @ 3pm (f you are an LGPS officer, pension committee or board member or an advisor please join us next week)

Dear LAPFF members,

I am writing to you to remind you of the Roundtable on Socio Economic Diversity, that is being hosted by my colleague and vice-chair John Gray next week.

HM Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have commissioned the City of London Corporation to lead an independent Taskforce on Socio Economic Diversity in order to boost productivity and levelling up opportunities for under-privileged communities. This taskforce is intended to improve socio-economic diversity at senior levels in UK financial and professional services and has a vision of ‘equity of progression’ – where high performance is valued over ‘fit’ and ‘polish’.    

My colleague and vice-chair, John Gray, was appointed to the advisory board of this Taskforce last year. Since his appointment, he has been making valuable contributions on behalf of the Forum to this body. The Taskforce has already held a number of roundtables and interviews to try and understand how government, regulators and sector bodies can create incentives for employer action in increasing socio-economic diversity at senior levels in the sector. LAPFF members now have an opportunity to join the dialogue and contribute directly to an industry consultation at a roundtable discussion. Please do bring consultants or fund management contacts along to join the conversation.

Also, another reminder that LAPFF is asking member funds to reach out to these consultants and fund managers to fill out a survey for senior staff at financial organisations to anonymously share their socio-economic background, level of seniority, and views on career progression.

Social mobility is an important issue for the UK and its economy. Research from the Bridge Group shows that employees from non-professional backgrounds progress 25 percent slower than peers, with no link to job performance. These employees report they are exhausted by efforts to conform to dominant cultures, which in turn impacts individual productivity. The Taskforce’s objective to drive forward successful businesses based on the view that people from all backgrounds can perform to their potential and have their abilities recognised aligns very well with LAPFF’s approach to diversity. 

If you have any questions or ish to register, please direct them to Alistair.tucker@lapfforum.org

Best regards,

Councillor Doug McMurdo

LAPFF Chair

 

Taskforce to boost socio-economic diversity at senior levels in UK Financial and Professional services

HM Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy(external link) have commissioned the City of London Corporation to lead an independent taskforce to boost socio-economic diversity in UK financial and professional services.

Recently I was appointed as a member of the taskforce advisory board.  By coincidence The Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (I am a Vice Chair) earlier this year had been discussing this issue and we had approached the task force to see how we could contribute. 

We had our first introductory virtual meeting on Thursday. I was impressed by the contributions made and the many powerful personal stories, experiences and points of view put forward about why this subject is so important.  The first official meeting will be on 30 June. 

This link is to a post I that I did on the taskforce earlier this year https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2021/02/class-and-social-economic-diversity-in.html

(Picture Newsroom City of London)