Girls Are Investors (GAIN) has appointed Anita Tiessen as chair of its trustee board, with her role commencing from 1 May 2026.
Tiessen, who has been CEO of Youth Business International since 2018, has also previously served as the CEO of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Prior to this, she held senior roles at UNICEF UK and Amnesty International.
The appointment follows a record year for GAIN, which aims to increase gender diversity in investment management.
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The charity, which delivers free programmes, insight days and mentorships to students, saw 54% year-on-year growth in its programme participation last year.
As at the end of 2025, GAIN reached more than 12,500 students across the UK and has a community of 2,000 industry volunteers. Some 1,120 women and non-binary students completed a structured GAIN programme during the year.
However, the charity’s figures show there is still work to be done, with only 12.9% of the UK’s funds being managed by women, despite the fact 41% of the investment management workforce is female.
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Commenting on Tiessen’s appointment, Tanya Tracey, CEO of GAIN, said her appointment is “a hugely positive development for GAIN”.
“Her track record of leading mission-driven global organisations, combined with her deep understanding of the GAIN community built as a trustee, makes her ideally placed to guide the next phase of our growth.
“I am very much looking forward to partnering with her as we continue to build the pipeline of diverse investment talent that our industry urgently needs.”
