The dos and don’ts of diversity data

It’s all well and good collecting diversity data but only when this is used to inform business strategy in a meaningful way can we begin to effect real change

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Natasha Turner

It seems rather an obvious point to make that the finance industry should be led first and foremost by data. And when it comes to gender diversity, collecting and analysing statistics is an effective means of achieving credibility and bringing leadership on board.

“Diversity data is part of a systematic response to a systemic problem,” according to Sarah Maynard, global head, external inclusion and diversity strategies and programmes, at the CFA Institute.

But at company level in asset management, gender diversity data mistakes are still being made, and when we take the industry as a whole, it is evident there is little change in the percentage of women in the profession overall.

Encouragingly, however, gender diversity data is starting to be employed in a more sophisticated, ‘triangulated’ way by some asset management firms. Those that are communicating their research with staff and using it to inform business strategies are leading the way.

Read the full analysis in the March issue of ESG Clarity‘s digital magazine.