Progress Together sits at the intersection of industry, government and policy, shaping a financial services sector built on fairness.
We bring together employers, policymakers, regulators and partners to translate evidence into practical recommendations that strengthen leadership pipelines, improve progression and unlock opportunity across UK financial services.
By combining robust research with the lived experience of our members, we help ensure socio-economic inclusion is recognised not just as a fairness issue, but as a genuine driver of talent, productivity and long-term economic growth for the whole sector.
A trusted voice
Established following a Government-commissioned taskforce, Progress Together is the UK's leading membership body dedicated to improving socio-economic diversity in financial services.
Working alongside more than 60 member organisations, policymakers, regulators and partners, we combine robust evidence with practical action to help shape policy, strengthen leadership and unlock talent. Together, our members represent more than one-third of the UK financial services workforce, giving the industry a stronger collective voice in shaping its future.
The business case
The UK's financial services sector depends on attracting, developing and retaining the best talent. Yet employees from lower socio-economic backgrounds take 16% longer, nearly two years, to progress from middle to senior roles than peers from higher socio-economic backgrounds.
Separate taskforce research found background has no bearing on performance. When talented people face barriers to progression, organisations lose future leaders, innovation is constrained and productivity suffers, making this as much an economic imperative as a question of fairness.
How we influence change
Our policy work is evidence-led, collaborative and focused on practical outcomes. We work with Government, regulators and industry to:
- Develop evidence-based policy recommendations
- Inform government strategies on talent, growth, skills and financial inclusion
- Engage with policymakers, parliamentarians and regulatory bodies
- Respond to consultations and sector reviews
- Publish research and thought leadership
- Convene senior leaders through roundtables and strategic forums
Our policy priorities
Our policy priorities focus on creating a financial services sector where opportunity is based on performance, not privilege. Current priorities include:
- Enacting the socio-economic duty of the Equality Act 2010, and ensuring the definition of public bodies extends to financial services regulators
- Encouraging inclusive product design and stronger governance to improve customer outcomes
- Encouraging regulators to incorporate workplace socio-economic inclusion into Consumer Duty guidance
- Ensuring AI and emerging technologies expand opportunity through inclusive skills, responsible governance and equitable access
- Positioning socio-economic inclusion as a driver of productivity, competitiveness and long-term economic growth
Working together to drive meaningful chance
Meaningful change requires collaboration. Whether you're a financial services firm, policymaker, regulator or partner organisation, we'd welcome the opportunity to work with you to strengthen leadership, improve progression and unlock opportunity across the sector.