Social Mobility in the UK: A Call for Action in Financial Services
In collaboration with the Social Mobility Foundation and UpReach, we have submitted evidence to the [...]
Kwaku’s story: turning the tide on a financial services exodus
Kwaku Kyei-Manu, an award-winning tech specialist from a working-class family, shares why he left financial services for the technology sector.
Rt Hon John Glen MP backs Progress Together, urging action on socio-economic diversity in finance
Rt Hon John Glen MP’s explicit support of Progress Together in Parliament today highlights the importance [...]
Auditing Diversity: Progress Together and BDO LLP Explore Socio-Economic Inclusion in Financial Services
Progress Together and BDO LLP welcomed Internal Audit leaders across Progress Together’s Financial Services (FS) [...]
Celebrating Success, Embracing Change: A Year-End Message from Our CEO
By Sophie Hulm, CEO, Progress Together
A joint letter to the financial regulators
Letter to Nikhil Rathi (CEO, Financial Conduct Authority) and Sam Woods (CEO, Prudential Regulation Authority)
Harnessing the Power of Storytelling to Bridge Workplace Divides and Drive Inclusion
The Power of Stories in the Workplace Take any workplace, anywhere in the country, and [...]
The 2024 Industrial Strategy Green Paper – Our Response
Here is our response to the Industrial Strategy Green paper which was published by the [...]
Watch The full Version of our CEO Roundtable Video
Watch Our New Video from our CEO Roundtable Event!
Empowering Diversity through Mid-Career Apprenticeships in Finance
The Growing Importance of Apprenticeships to Support Socio-Economic Diversity in Financial Services The importance [...]
Join Our Team as a Board Member
We're seeking three new Board Members who are influential within the UK financial services industry and share our passion for fostering social mobility.
CEO’s Autumn 2024 Message: The Journey Is Far From Over
By Sophie Hulm, CEO, Progress Together Our new report, Shaping the Sector, offers encouraging signs of [...]
VOICE: A Blueprint for Inclusion in Financial Services – PRACTICE
Read the VOICE report - a blueprint for creating inclusive workplaces for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Shaping the Sector: What People Said
Read what Mark Hoban (Chair of the Financial Services Skills Commission) and CEOs and ExCos from across financial services said about the findings of Progress Together's data report, Shaping the Sector.
Shaping the Sector Data Report
Cracks are beginning to show in financial services ‘class ceiling’ but there's still more to be done, according to Progress Together's latest data report, Shaping the Sector.
Shaping Tomorrow: Promoting Progression and Driving Diversity in the Actuarial Profession
"Being a mentor is an opportunity to help others, as well as to build confidence, leadership, communication skills. These are all crucial qualities needed to progress to senior roles."
VOICE: A Blueprint for Inclusion in Financial Services
Read the VOICE report - a blueprint for making workplaces more inclusive for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Harnessing AI to Promote Socio-Economic Diversity in Financial Services
"AI is not just a tool; it’s a transformative force for driving socio-economic diversity in financial services."
My Story: David Druley, CEO, Cambridge Associates
"Closing the opportunity divide is a necessity for both a healthy industry and society where all can thrive."
CEO’s Summer Message
The new Government takes socio-economic diversity seriously, which is very welcome.
My story: Julie Carruthers, UK Finance
“I’ll always remember where I started – as the young girl from the council estate writing to ask for a job in the City. I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t been given a chance.”
The importance of socio-economic diversity at senior levels of the insurance sector
"Socio-economic diversity is not just a nice to have, it is a strategic necessity in the insurance industry."
Progress Together responds to IAIS consultation
Read Progress Together's response to the International Association of Insurance Supervisors' Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultation.
HSBC: How We’re Breaking Barriers
"If we don’t include people from different socio-economic backgrounds, we lose out on talent and differing perspectives. We miss out on diversity of thought. And by not reflecting the societies and communities our customers and colleagues live in, we’re unable to give them the best outcomes."
My story: Adrian Matthews, Chubb
“Financial services firms should stop simply talking about socio-economic diversity and actually do something about it. And that starts with being open to honest criticism.”
Paragon ignites socio-economic diversity spark
Paragon Bank has shared how it is working to improve socio-economic diversity through a nine-month programme for employees.
Progress Pioneers in pictures and video!
Here's a gallery of photos from our Progress Pioneers Summit, our impact report launch and celebration.
Progress Together launches impact report
We've launched our first ever impact report. Read it here...
Progress Pioneers come together to mark achievements in transforming financial services
Financial services leaders and employees are coming together to celebrate the work the sector is doing to boost business by attracting and retaining talented employees from different socio-economic backgrounds.
The benefits of a more socially mobile financial sector
"Addressing this inequality means the best people get into the top jobs and our financial institutions are both stronger and more representative of society."
CEO’s Spring Message
"I’m often asked what my vision is. It’s simple. Parity. Across our membership, I would like to see senior leadership mirroring the socio-economic diversity within the wider workforce."
Supporter profile: Barrington Hibbert Associates
"Being a supporter of Progress Together gives BHA the opportunity to align with, and work alongside a like-minded organisation that see the power of socio-economic diversity in the Financial Services industry."
Building societies – learning for the future
"It is about offering real employment and career opportunities to those of all ages and backgrounds, who might otherwise risk being left behind."
Progress Together workshop: ‘What does change look like?’
Representatives from more than 20 UK financial services firms joined together for the latest Progress Together workshop, 'What does change look like?' on 28th February. Here's our gallery of photos.
Progress Pioneers Summit
Join us at the inauguaral Progress Pioneers Summit at The London Stock Exchange on 14th May 2024.
Unlocking business potential through socio-economic diversity
"The demand for socio-economically diverse candidates in executive roles is not just a matter of ticking a box in diversity quotas."
Why diversity must not end at recruitment
"The key hallmark of an inclusive culture is balanced socio-economic representation at all leadership levels."
What’s in store for 2024? Meet Bella, our new Programme Manager
My name is Bella and I am the newest addition to the Progress Together team, taking on the role of Programme Manager.
Member profile: Fintel
"Progress Together has been an invaluable partner on our journey, providing evidence based tools and best practice to help the sector achieve greater socio-economic diversity at senior levels."
FCA and PRA diversity and inclusion consultation: read our response
Progress Together is calling for regulators to compel employers to collect data on the socio-economic backgrounds of their employees.
An exec search perspective on socio-economic diversity
"The mixed emotions around coming from a lower socio-economic background can make it challenging to find leaders who are happy to share their own journey and role model for future generations."
My story: Tracy Garrad, Aviva
“I left school at 17 to look after my younger siblings. That’s why my passion for social mobility is so strong.”
Why the regulators need to step in
"The only way to level the playing field across the whole of the sector is for the regulators to get involved." By Sophie Hulm, CEO, Progress Together
Member profile: NatWest
NatWest shares why the company values socio-economic diversity at senior levels and why it's working with Progress Together.
CEOs join together for ‘Shaping our Economy’ launch
More than 40 CEOs and ExCo sponsors from across financial services came together for the launch of 'Shaping Our Economy', Progress Together's first ever data report. See our gallery of photos.
‘Shaping our Economy’ data report launch
Socio-economic background is more likely to impact a person’s route to success in financial services than gender or ethnicity, according to a Progress Together report released today.
Video: using your privilege for good
Here's a short snippet from our webinar, Leaders as Allies, with our special guest, Yael Nevo, Senior Consultant at Green Park.
My story: Khaled Rahman, Progress Together
“With hindsight, living in a deprived area and struggling with prejudice and racism didn’t make life easy, but as a child that was normal to me.”
Video: joining an ERG (Employee Resource Group) as an ally
Here's a short clip from Progress Together's webinar on How to Build a Successful ERG (Employee Resource Group).
Supporter profile: Corndel
"Progress Together is a great organisation led by fantastic people." Here's an introduction to Corndel, one of Progress Together's Supporters.
Member profile: Zurich Insurance
Zurich provides an insight into why socio-economic diversity is important and what it means to be a member of Progress Together: "Progress Together is a great way to share our commitment to true diversity."
Progress Together Chair Awarded CBE
Progress Together Chair and former Lord Mayor of the City of London Vincent Keaveny has been awarded a CBE in the first Birthday Honours List of His Majesty King Charles III.
Social Mobility Day 2023: What is socio-economic diversity?
This video takes it back to basics. In just one minute it answers the key questions about socio-economic diversity.
My story: Ken Kittoe, AXA
“One of my friends was stabbed and killed. I didn’t want to be just another statistic. I thought ‘there’s more to life than this’.”
One year on: the journey to success
As Progress Together marks its 1st birthday, CEO Sophie Hulm explores what success means to her when it comes to socio-economic diversity in UK financial services.
It’s our 1st birthday!
Take a look at some of the birthday messages from our members and partners.
Video – Intersectionality Workshop
Watch the highlights from Progress Together's May workshop.
My story: Andy Boucher, Making the Leap
“People were talking about their skiing holidays and other things I had no experience of. I felt like a fish out of water. I didn’t belong.”
Embracing Equity on International Women’s Day
"The challenges which can affect and disadvantage women are further complicated by factors such as ethnicity, culture, and socio-economic status, at the intersection of which every woman exists."
Progress Together launches Mentoring Circles
Progress Together has launched a new series of member events to allow financial services firms to learn from each other when working to improve socio-economic diversity at senior levels.
My Story: Lara Ayash, DE&I Consultant
“We knew we couldn’t ask for ice cream, chocolate or toys because there was no money."
Progress Together appoints CEO
Sophie Hulm will drive socio-economic diversity across financial services
Creating an Impact: The first Progress Together Workshop
Individuals from Progress Together member organisations joined the session to share ideas and challenges, learn from industry and subject matter experts, and plan the next steps in their company's socio-economic diversity journey.
The end of an era, but the start of something great…
As the work of the Taskforce comes to an end, we look towards the future
Podcast: Retaining Talent in Financial Services
This week our CEO Sophie Hulm was a guest on Toby Mildon's podcast, the Inclusive Growth Show.
Introducing the Progress Together Board
Our board will lead the direction of Progress Together as we level the playing field and create a fair financial services sector for all.
The time is now. Level-up or get left behind
The message to financial services as Progress Together hosts reception at Mansion House
UCL Launches New Research Collaboration
UCL is launching a new data-led research collaboration with large UK employers to create more socially diverse and inclusive workplaces. Participation is completely free of charge to employers and anonymous.
Sophie Hulm Joins Progress Together as Interim CEO
Sophie initially created and led the Government commissioned taskforce to boost socio-economic diversity at senior levels in UK financial and professional services, securing senior level industry participation from over 100 employers. From this Progress Together was born.
Building the Baseline: Breaking the Class Barrier
Measuring socio-economic diversity at senior levels in UK financial and professional services
Progress Together Launch Event- 20th May 2022
Take a look at a short film detailing our launch event at Mansion House.
Digital Workshop: the 3 Under-Utilised Tools for Progressing and Retaining Diverse Talent
Connectr as proud Delivery Partner for Progress Together is hosting an exclusive digital workshop for industry organisations.
Paragon Bank is founding partner of new membership body
BestAdvice.co.uk has published an article about Progress Together - 22/05/22
Twelve organisations launch Progress Together
The Mortgage Introducer has published an article about Progress Together - 23/05/22
City of London Firms Back New Body to Close Finance Class Divide
Bloomberg.com have published an article on Progress Together - 20/05/22
City scheme aims to close financial sector’s class pay gap
The Guardian has published an article about Progress Together - 20/05/22
New membership body launches to drive socio-economic diversity at senior level across UK financial services
Launched today (20 May) at the Mansion House and hosted by Lord Mayor of London Vincent Keaveny with the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Minister John Glen, Progress Together aims to fill a specific gap around progression and senior level representation for socio-economic diversity.
