International Women’s Day at Castlefield

Today, the 8th of March 2018, is International Women’s Day. At Castlefield we feel this is an important time to reflect on the progress made towards gender equality but also look at what still needs to be done. This year, we have become a signatory of the Women in Finance Charter. This is an HM Treasury (HMT) sponsored initiative to encourage greater numbers of women at senior levels of the finance industry. In doing so, Castlefield pledges to maintain a 50/50 gender split for key managers within the firm over the next three years. We are proud that we currently achieve gender parity amongst this cohort as well as having five female partners and gender diverse teams both in Financial Advice and Investment Management. We feel that the steps we have taken so far will set us on the path to maintaining a diverse and thriving business.

We have chosen to mark this year’s International Women’s Day with a presentation hosted by Nicola Pike and Professor Ser Huang Poon from the Alliance Manchester Business School. The first part of the talk was a whistle stop tour of the progress of women within financial services since the introduction of the Equal Pay Act in 1970, through to when women were first allowed to grace the floor of the London Stock Exchange back in 1973 and then on to the first female FTSE 100 CEO in 1997 and milestones that might be reached in the future.

Ser Huang talked about her recent research on gender diversity within fund management and how it might impact upon risk profile and, in turn, fund performance. She also spoke of her research on the influence of gender diverse boards on company performance.

It was an engaging and interesting presentation that prompted lots of questions from the gathered Castlefield cohort. All in all, a great way to celebrate International Women’s Day and an opportunity to learn more about the issue of gender within the finance industry.

Written by Kate Hewitt