Charting 50 years of change for women in the UK's finance sector
Click here to read the full report
The London Stock Exchange commissioned the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) to conduct analysis to consider the contribution of women in the finance sector to the UK economy over the last 50 years. The main analysis spans the period from 1971 to 2022, where the data is available combined with a review of the academic literature provides contextual information for the role of women in the finance sector during this period, and how structural and social barriers have evolved over time.
In 1973, after years of resisting the ‘business case’ for women being admitted to membership of the trading floor, and repeatedly rejecting their applications, the powers that be were overcome by market forces – of competition – and women were admitted as part of the London Stock Exchange‘s merger with UK regional exchanges, where women were already commonplace.
Yet half a century later, our sector has not fully redressed the structural inequity and imbalances that characterised the experience of women – and barred them from professional growth in our sector - fifty years ago.
"The £1.12 trillion 'gender diversity dividend' delivered to the UK economy since 1997, by the incredible work of innovative dynamic and dedicated women across the UK finance sector, should not be overlooked. Looking ahead, the focus is now exactly where it needs to be in financial services: not on whether D&I is a good thing but grappling with the hard yards of what we still need to change in order to make a difference."
Julia Hoggett
CEO, London Stock Exchange plc
First, please LoginComment After ~