THE FINANCIAL services sector of Britain should showcase individuals from marginalised groups as a key strategy for promoting diversity in the industry, according to the CEO and co-founder of CapitalRise Uma Rajah.
Firms should also “make the most of role models” to promote diversity and inclusion, Rajah stressed during her interview with FTAdviser.
Addressing the gender gap in board and senior management positions, she highlighted the need for foundational change.
She asserted that transforming the industry requires fixing disparities from the outset.
“People talk about not having females at a board level in senior management positions, that’s not going to change quickly. That will only change if you fix things right from the start.”
She said that what the industry needs to do is focus right at the beginning.
“Firms should introduce as early as possible role models that aren’t typical of the people in that particular sphere, and confront some of the gender stereotypes that set in at a very young age.”
Discussing gender imbalances in STEM subjects, Rajah noted a decline in equal representation from GCSE to university levels.
She pointed out a gender balance shift as careers progress, attributing it to unfriendly family structures in some firms. Rajah urged companies to reassess policies hindering equal retention.
Uma Rajah spent her first 10 years of career working for the confectionary company Mars, doing various different roles starting off in manufacturing, running factories, and various other roles. Since 2007, she has been working in fintech.
FTAdviser is an all-encompassing website dedicated to the financial adviser and financial planner market covering investments, mortgages, pensions, insurance, regulation and other key issues. It is a part of The Financial Times Group.
*CapitalRise offer investors access to prime real estate investing opportunities.
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