The shortlists for the 2024 Diversity in Finance Awards are out - so who are the names in the frame?
Late last year, the Financial Conduct Authority built on its 2022 Diversity and Inclusion Discussion Paper by setting out proposals to boost diversity and inclusion across the financial services industry.
In the September 2023 consultation paper, the FCA - together with the Prudential Regulation Authority - outlined measures to support healthy work cultures, reduce groupthink and unlock talent.
Following this, a Chartered Insurance Institute's corporate EDI survey, published in February this year, said firms implementing equality, diversity and inclusion practices and policies have positive business outcomes.
More guidance is expected over the coming months, but the importance of taking DE&I seriously has never been more apparent - something all the companies entering the sixth iteration of the Diversity In Finance Awards have clearly grasped.
With a record number of submissions for this year's Awards since the first DIFAs back in 2019, the judges had a hard time picking the shortlists from more than 160 entries.
The Awards, supported by the Personal Finance Society, showcase the work financial services companies and professionals are doing to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in their company, their community and for their clients.
Candidates were ranked according to a range of criteria, including statistical evidence of the success of their 2023 campaigns to shift the dial.
Judges also marked candidates on whether they were; doing something different; the reach and impact of their work on their communities and clients as well as their workforce, and the tangible improvements they have seen to their own business as a result of the work they are doing.
No company is perfect or has 'got it right' - everyone is on their own journey - but these examples of best practice exemplify how even individuals at a junior level can make a big difference.
As one judge said of a small firm: "I loved [their] story. It was powerful, and personal and resonated strongly".
Winners will be announced on June 20, 2024 at The Biltmore Mayfair in London.
On the night, the winners of three special awards, including Employer of the Year, will be unveiled. Find out more here.
But for now - here's the table of shortlisted candidates. Good luck to all!
| Company Awards | Shortlist (alphabetical order) |
| Championing Disability Inclusion | Fidelity, HSBC, Royal London, Zurich |
| Championing LGBT Inclusion | 7IM, HSBC, St James's Place, Zurich |
| Championing Religious Inclusivity | HSBC, Invest & Grow, Royal London |
| Championing Mental Health and Neurodiversity Inclusion | HSBC, LGIM, LV=, Zurich |
| Championing Women's Equality | HSBC Asset Management, LV=, Virgin Money, Zurich |
| Championing Social Mobility | LGIM, Sterling Investments, William Blair |
| Championing Race Equality | BSL International, Walker Crips, Zurich |
| Championing Trans and Non-Binary Inclusion | HSBC, Roseum Financial Planning, Succession Wealth, Zurich |
| Diversity and Inclusion initiative of the year (Small Firm) | Barclays Eagle Labs, Sterling Investments, Walker Crips |
| Diversity and Inclusion initiative of the year (Large Firm) | BlackRock, LGIM, Scottish Widows, Zurich |
| Community Engagement Initiative of the Year | Barclays Eagle Labs, Quilter, Raymond James, Zurich |
| Trailblazing Company of the Year | Pension Bee, Schroders, Zurich |
| Individual Awards | Alphabetical order by first name |
| Diversity Champion (individual) - Small Firm | Jamie Lowe, True Self Wealth; LingLing Wu, BullsEye Financial; Natasha Percy-Baxter, Percy-Baxter Wealth Management; Zohul Malikzada, Malikzada Financial Planning |
| Diversity Champion (individual) - Large Firm | David Hynam, LV=; Deon Pillay, LGIM; Kristopher Banks, HSBC; Toni Thorne, JPMorgan Asset Management |
| Rising Star - Large Firm | Carla Ruiz Martinez, Bippit; Lauren Fuller, NatWest; Natasha Percy-Baxter, Percy Baxter Wealth Management; Oluseun Oduleye, LGT Wealth Management |
| Rising Star - Small Firm | Jeanne Mpondo, EM & MJ Wealth Management; Rachel Edwards, Working In Mortgages; Zoe Lord, HSBC |
