Pledging Equality: Our Commitment to the Women in Finance Charter
We have officially signed the Women in Finance Charter, reinforcing our long-standing commitment to improving gender balance and creating inclusive opportunities across the UK finance sector.
Currently, women hold 33% of senior management positions with us. We have set ambitious targets to increase this to 40% by the end of 2028 and to achieve gender parity of 50% by 2030.
The Women in Finance Charter, launched by HM Treasury, brings together financial services firms dedicated to building balanced leadership teams, strengthening decision-making, and better reflecting the customers and communities they serve. By signing the Charter, we will continue to monitor progress against our targets and embed inclusive practices across recruitment, development, and career progression.
Our Chief Executive Officer Richard Ingle said:
“We’re dedicated to having a real gender balance at every level in the Society. Our People Strategy is designed to help everyone succeed and includes a clear plan to meet our gender balance targets. This plan supports our strategic goals and reflects the Society’s values of Integrity, Creativity and Excellence. Some of the steps we’re taking include helping female colleagues progress in their careers, improving the ways we find and develop talent, offering better, flexible working, family support and to make sure our workplace is welcoming for everyone.”
Our approach includes targeted initiatives to support women throughout their careers. These include identifying and developing talent, supporting progression into leadership roles, expanding flexible and hybrid working options, and strengthening family-friendly policies. We are also focused on cultivating a workplace culture that is inclusive, supportive, and welcoming to all staff.
The building society sector has made notable progress in improving gender representation. According to the latest Review of the Women in Finance Charter, female representation in senior management across building society signatories stands at 44%, compared with a cross-sector average of 37%, making it the second strongest performing sector. By signing the Charter, we join peers across the mutual sector working collaboratively to drive lasting change.
Through this commitment, we reaffirm our belief that diversity and inclusion are essential to long-term sustainability, stronger performance, and positive outcomes for colleagues, members, and the wider community.