Progressive Building Society has signed the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter which has a key priority of harnessing the talents of women in financial services.
It marks the sector’s collaborative efforts to drive meaningful and permanent changes in the representation of women in financial services, to ensure women everywhere are able to fulfil their potential. In signing the Charter, the Society has made the following pledges to improve gender diversity.
The Society will set internal targets for gender diversity in senior management.
When we signed the Charter, we had 38% female representation at senior management level. As of 28 September 2020, we have 67% female representation. This is a highly significant level of participation for a financial services organisation. We believe that we have met our target by our deadline for female representation at senior management level.
Over the past twelve months, the latest female appointments to senior management have significantly contributed to the progression of the Society’s Digital Strategy.
We have maintained a 70% female representation at management level. Whilst this is slightly below our target, this level of female participation provides strong role models for aspiring female managers within the Society.
Due to the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Society brought forward plans to implement remote home working arrangements. This has provided our female staff with the opportunity to balance working commitments with the challenges of school closures and childcare and the difficulties associated with caring for elderly relatives thus supporting women to remain in their roles and grow their careers at a challenging time.
The pandemic affected targets in other ways, with an ILM development programme being placed on hold until 2021.
During the past 12 months, the Society took steps to enhance its performance review process and to develop managerial coaching skills thereby strengthening development plans for female staff.
All female staff can now avail of networking and training opportunities through Corporate Membership of Women in Business NI, enhancing confidence and helping prepare females to take the next step in their career within the Society.
The Society remains committed to encouraging females to develop their careers and realise their potential.