The Diversity Project has launched a new cross-industry initiative designed to develop female talent within portfolio management.
Spearheaded by Baroness Helena Morrissey, chair of the Diversity Project, and backed by 34 member firms, the Pathway Programme is the first of its kind to be shaped by the industry for the industry with a curriculum tailored to participants that will complement the CFA and on-the-job training.
A total of 33 firms have selected 60 women interested in pursuing a career in portfolio management to participate in 2023. Collectively, they have on average 7 years of experience; 78% work in an investment-related role and 22% work in other areas including sales and trading or change management.
Participants will have access to interactive sessions on technical and behavioral skills and networking opportunities with like minded female peers, senior female fund managers and industry leaders.
Helena Morrissey, chair of the Diversity Project, said women are still “woefully underrepresented” in fund manager roles, with 88% of positions currently occupied by men.
Morrissey said: “This programme has the potential to be revolutionary for the asset management industry. Not only will it unlock hidden talent from across the industry and provide today’s emerging female portfolio managers with the skills and confidence they need to succeed, it will also create a cohort of female portfolio managers who will navigate their careers together and provide an example for generations to follow.
“We’re delighted that over 30 firms are involved in Pathway first year and believe that this programme may finally solve the decades-old problem of too few female fund managers.”
Joanna Munro, CEO of HSBC Alternatives, commented: “From my own discussions with our participants, I know what a difference this programme is going to make for women in our industry. They may be a fund manager assistant who couldn’t see how to navigate to a portfolio management role or a great talent who missed out on university because of family circumstances. The DP Pathway really is creating opportunities that simply haven’t existed for these women before.”
Dhana Mariappan, participant of the Pathway programme and European High Yield Analyst at AXA Investment Managers, added: “I feel honoured to be part of the pathway programme which has been carefully curated by women in the industry to empower and enable the next generation of women in finance.
“I look forward to learning from the experts through the bespoke curriculum they have put together and working with like-minded people within the industry to not only accelerate my career but also to be a part of this movement aiming to make meaningful and sustainable progress towards improving gender equality within the finance industry.”
