Bath Building Society has signed up to the Women in Finance Charter, setting new targets to increase the number of women in senior roles and strengthen its approach to inclusion across the organisation.
Richard Ingle | Photo courtesy of Bath Building Society
The move formalises the society’s commitment to improving gender balance and expanding opportunities within financial services.
Women currently make up 33% of senior management positions at Bath Building Society. The organisation has now set a goal of increasing that figure to 40% by the end of 2028 and reaching gender parity of 50% by 2030.
The Women in Finance Charter, launched by HM Treasury, brings together financial services firms committed to creating more balanced leadership teams and improving how their organisations reflect the customers and communities they serve.
As part of its commitment, Bath Building Society said it will continue tracking progress against its targets while embedding inclusive practices in recruitment, career development and progression.
Chief executive Richard Ingle said: “We’re dedicated to having a real gender balance at every level in the Society.
“Our People Strategy is designed to help everyone succeed and includes a clear plan to meet our gender balance targets. This plan supports our strategic goals and reflects the Society’s values of Integrity, Creativity and Excellence.
“Some of the steps we’re taking include helping female colleagues progress in their careers, improving the ways we find and develop talent, offering better, flexible working and family support and make sure our workplace is welcoming for everyone.”
The society said its plans include targeted action to support female colleagues throughout their careers, including better identification and development of talent, support for progression into leadership positions, wider flexible and hybrid working options, and stronger family-friendly policies.
It added that it also wants to ensure its working culture remains inclusive, supportive and welcoming.
Bath Building Society said recent figures from the Review of the Women in Finance Charter showed female representation in senior management across building society signatories stands at 44%, compared with a cross-sector average of 37%.
By signing the charter, the society said it is reaffirming its view that diversity and inclusion are important to long-term sustainability, strong performance and positive outcomes for colleagues, members and the wider community.
