The Diversity Project is launching a first-of-its-kind Future Female Fund Managers Programme – an industry wide effort to address the under-representation of women in fund management.
With only one in 10 portfolio managers currently women, according to industry tracker Morningstar, the Diversity Project wants to double the figure through more targeted interventions to address industry-specific challenges.
The Future Female Fund Managers Programme aims to help more women succeed in a career in fund management by putting an emphasis on the skills needed beyond technical competence, therefore complementing the existing CFA qualification.
Women will learn digital skills, how to navigate through cultural barriers and life events, how to create allies and long-term sponsors, and overcome challenges when the only woman in the room.
Trainers will include Diversity Project leaders and ambassadors, current and former female fund managers, executive coaches, and male allies – who are key in championing change.
The ten firms that have signed up include HSBC Asset Management, Schroders, BGF, JO Hambro Capital Management, Fidelity International, Newton Investment Management, abrdn, Aviva Investors, Artemis, and Columbia Threadneedle.
The initiative expects that there will be more signatories in the lead up to launch in January 2023.
“Workplace culturfune has changed considerably for the better over the three decades since I entered the sector as a graduate trainee, yet women still remain woefully underrepresented in the field of fund management.,” says Baroness Helena Morrissey, Chair of the Diversity Project.
She adds, “We need a programme that is very targeted to correct that – otherwise it just won’t happen. The Future Female Fund Managers Programme will identify women with the ambition and aptitude to become fund managers, and ensure they have every chance of success.
A key element is that each participant will have a sponsor back at her firm, to champion her and ensure there is no mismatch between her growing skillset and her opportunities to progress.”
©Markets Media Europe 2022
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