DiverCity Podcast: Talking Diversity and Inclusion in the Financial Services Industry

For our international Women’s Day episode, host Julia Streets is joined by Yvonne Thompson CBE, Entrepreneur, Campaigner and Activist and Vanessa Vallely OBE, Managing Director of WeAreTheCity. Together they share their experiences of the changing face of entrepreneurship and business over the decades. The discussion sets out priorities when building back businesses in 2021, considers key steps to gender parity and explores the impact of Covid-19 on the female workforce. They talk about new models of leadership and the important attributes required to be successful. The conversation turns to social inclusion and the value of entrepreneurship, corporate intrepreneurs and the importance of involving women and ethnic minorities in idea generation and business decision-making.

In this extended episode in celebration of LGBT History Month, host Julia Streets is joined by Dr Daniel Conway, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Westminster, and Jack Guest, Diversity & Inclusion Lead, Global Wealth & Personal Banking at HSBC. They start the discussion by charting the social and political history of PRIDE, then discuss the varied perspectives on the "corporatisation" of PRIDE. A complex topic, together they consider the realities, opportunities and challenges of promoting LGBTQ+ rights around the world. They discuss the varying degrees of acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ employees, how organisations can play a role in delivering international best practice, building and supporting communities, engaging with policy change and challenging homophobia. The discussion extends yet further to explore the importance of the intersectionality of PRIDE, comparing and evaluating the difference between sponsorship and advocacy, and why businesses must live up to the values they are claiming.

Host Julia Streets is joined by Dr Kamal Munir of Cambridge Judge Business School and Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea, founder of Cobra Beer and President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). They discuss the Change the Race Ratio Campaign for greater racial equality in business and the importance of greater ethnic representation in universities. They share detailed insights about integration and creating inclusive cultures in which diverse talent can thrive. Together they reflect on the health, economic, political and social landscape of 2020 and share advice to business leaders to think about how to engage with the diversity conversation.

What better way to launch the 10th series of DiverCity Podcast, than for host Julia Streets to welcome guest Baroness Helena Morrissey DBE. In this far reaching discussion, they reflect on the 30% Club, which Helena founded in 2010, and discuss her role as Chair of the Diversity Project. Helena shares her insights and learning as an industry leader, considers the progression of women on boards worldwide, and expands on the requirements for organisational change. Together they explore Helena's perspectives on new hybrid working models, the importance of mentoring and the role of male champions. Finally, as she reflects on the past decade, Helena explains why financial firms must authentically prioritise diversity and inclusion in order to reap the rewards and harness the commercial and investment opportunities on offer.

Host Julia Streets is joined by Mitesh Sheth, Chief Executive Officer of Redington and Jayne Styles, co-lead of the Diversity Project’s Ambassador Programme. They discuss 'building back better' in the investment management industry and the role of consultants and investors in driving change. They share detailed insights about how best to attract and onboard diverse talent with particular consideration for ethnic minority employees and staff with disabilities. Together they share their perspectives about building and changing workplace culture, corporate and individual resilience and the importance of fully embracing D&I to ensure organisations are adaptable, a fundamental requirement for survival and growth. Reflecting on 2020, Jayne and Mitesh also observe how many firms are reviewing their purpose, taking into account lessons learned through this lockdown year.

Host Julia Streets is joined by Arlene McDermott, co-chair of the London Stock Exchange Group Proud network and Ethan Salathiel, coach, consultant, programme leader and entrepreneur.

In this episode and timed to continue the support for Transgender Awareness Week Julia, Arlene and Ethan discuss what firms can do to make room for all LGBTQ+ employees, with a particular focus on individuals wanting to transition. They discuss the importance of senior and middle management leadership, the importance of intersectionality and how organisations can remove the barriers between various networks and communities .

Together they recognise that for some it may still be concerning to be out and the importance of corporate culture in attracting, supporting and therefore retaining talent. As we head into tough economic times, they examine why maintaining LGBTQ+ issues as a high priority on the D&I and corporate agendas really matters right now.

In this faith-focused episode, explored from Jewish, Christian and Sikh perspectives, host Julia Streets is joined by Zaki Cooper, Co-Founder of Faiths United, Wes Ilingsworth, Lead of the City Team at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate and Syra Sanghera, Analyst at Man Group and ambassador for City Sikhs and founding member of the Faiths United Network.

Julia, Zaki, Wes and Syra discuss the complex topic of faith as an intrinsic part of personal identity, how it impacts how and for whom we work and organisational structures. They share ideas and best practice about how to create faith-friendly organisations and how to promote a culture of inclusion.

Together they explore remote working and religious practices, the role of faith in garnering corporate resilience, the dynamics of faith and ethnicity, the challenges of intersectionality, and the legal, moral and economic reasons why diversity and inclusion matters right now.

Host Julia Streets is joined by Amy French, Head of Level39 and Rosie Turner, Co-CEO and Co-Founder at InChorus Group.

The Fintech for All Charter is a commitment to increase diversity and inclusion across Fintechs, led by InChorus and supported by Level39, Innovate Finance, the FinTech Alliance and the Financial Conduct Authority.

In this episode Julia, Rosie and Amy discuss how the charter will focus on the entire spectrum of D&I and consider the areas where greater inclusion is needed. They focus on The Charter’s concerning findings of aggressive behaviours and harassment, specifically how they have increased while working from home during Covid. How can concerns be raised and best addressed by organisations and leaders.

Together they present the commercial case for greater inclusivity within Fintechs, the anticipated impact The Charter will have and how progress will be measured, based on both membership and cultural change.

Julia Streets interviews Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England. This episode, recorded shortly after Inclusion Week, outlines how the Bank of England ensures that diversity and inclusion is embedded in its culture, its commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as The Bank’s key areas of focus, which includes supporting staff during Covid-1 and the importance of social mobility. As one of the world’s oldest financial institutions, the Governor discusses the progress made, why diversity must remain a high priority, and sets The Bank’s expectations on firms to align and demonstrate similar commitment.

Host Julia Streets is joined by Jon Guy, Secretary General of the Islamic Insurance Association of London and Dr Mohammed Abdel-Haq, Professor in Banking and a Director of the Centre for Islamic Finance at the University of Bolton.

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and Islamic Insurance Association of London (IIAL) have collaborated with the University of Bolton to launch an MBA in Islamic Insurance and Risk. Together, they discuss Shariah Law as it affects the principles of finance, insurance and risk management. They emphasise the importance of engaging with ethnic minorities to achieve the economic and international potential on offer, to dispel any misconceptions about career advancement and create centres of world class talent excellence. They also discuss the need for greater gender representation, how to improve, and how to cultivate ultimately inclusive-minded, enlightened leaders.