Others new to the list published in February are the Payment Systems Regulator, the Building Societies Association (BSA) and Tesco Bank. The 26 new entrants also include Allianz Insurance, AXA Investment Managers and RSA Insurance Group.

In November 2017 the Treasury reported that 162 firms across the financial services sector have signed the charter, covering over 600,000 UK financial services employees. The charter’s aim is to commit firms to supporting the progression of women into senior roles in the financial services sector by focusing on the executive pipeline and the mid-tier level.

Signatories commit to four key industry actions. These are: having one member of the senior executive team who is responsible and accountable for gender diversity and inclusion; setting internal targets for gender diversity in senior management; publishing progress annually against these targets in reports on the company website; and having an intention to ensure the pay of the senior executive team is linked to delivery against these internal targets on gender diversity.

The Treasury says since the charter launched, over 85% of signatories have committed to have at least 30% women in senior roles by 2021. Over 25% have committed to a 50/50 gender split in senior roles by 2021.

Women in Finance Charter List of signatories and links to gender diversity targets is here.

Report by Pat Sweet