Progress Together

86% of Fidelity International employees from lower socio-economic backgrounds feel they can be themselves at work, according to the company’s diversity survey. As a Progress Together member, Fidelity International is committed to driving socio-economic diversity within financial services. Since joining Progress Together, Fidelity International launched a global social mobility network, raising awareness and creating opportunities for career progression through targeted events, training, and outreach. Stuart Warner, Fidelity International’s Social Mobility Co-Executive Sponsor, said: “Our social background shapes our professional experiences. Challenging institutional 'norms' and building diverse teams is vital for business success and fostering an inclusive culture.” Fidelity International's efforts have earned them recognition from FT Advisor’s Championing Social Mobility Awards and the Social Mobility Employer Index. Fidelity is now enhancing data collection, setting targets and embedding diversity into every aspect of business. Read the Advocacy and Collaboration case study from Progress Pioneers: https://lnkd.in/eaW-vMZv Progress Pioneers is a Progress Together initiative to recognise the work Progress Together member organisations are doing to level the playing field for people from all socio-economic backgrounds. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Fidelity International to strengthen socio-economic diversity across the industry. Find out about becoming a member today: https://lnkd.in/eiqehtHS #SocialMobility #DEI #ProgressTogether #FidelityInternational

🌟 Exciting News: We are working with MCG Consulting Ltd🌟 We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with MCG Consulting Ltd to launch our Firm-to-Firm Mentoring Programme! This initiative aims to transform the financial services sector by fostering connections, driving socio-economic diversity, and promoting best practices among our extensive membership, covering over a third of the UK's financial services. Join us in this journey toward a more inclusive and innovative industry! 💼🌍 #Partnership #Mentoring #Diversity #Innovation #Networking #ProgressTogether #FirmtoFirmMentoring

At Progress Together, we're leading crucial conversations on social mobility in financial services. Our latest supporter recommends article dives into the potential of AI as a game-changer for promoting socio-economic diversity. By bringing together diverse perspectives and leveraging technology, we’re tackling these complex challenges head-on. We’re proud to have supporters such as CandidateX who share our vision for a more inclusive industry. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ezVyMJbu #SocialMobility #AI #FinancialServices #Inclusion #TogetherWeCan

Great to see Progress Together mentioned in the 2023 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Report by our member Cambridge Associates! We're thrilled to see Cambridge Associates making strides toward meaningful change and fostering a culture where every voice is valued. Read the full report to see Cambridge Associates progress: https://lnkd.in/e8XVc-Wj #DEI #ProgressTogether #InclusionMatters

We're delighted at Just Group plc to be working with Progress Together, who have empowered us to take meaningful steps towards building a truly inclusive culture, where everyone, regardless of their socio-economic background, has the opportunity to succeed. 

  We're thrilled to welcome three new members to the Progress Together team! 🎉 Joanna Lindley joins us as Head of Memberships. With a diverse, value-driven career centred on inclusion, social mobility, and progression, Jo's passion for community development and equality advocacy will be instrumental in enhancing our membership offerings. Abubakar Mehdi steps in as our Partnerships Manager. With extensive experience in research and client engagement across various sectors, Abubakar is dedicated to helping businesses achieve their ESG and D&I goals. Rebecca R. joins as Marketing and Communications Coordinator. Rebecca brings a strong passion for social equality and diverse representation, along with a robust background in strategic communication and project management. We'd also like to wish Mona Vadher FRSA all the best as she begins her maternity leave. We look forward to welcoming her back and hearing all about her new adventure! 💐 Exciting times lie ahead with this talented team on board! #WelcomeTeam #SocialMobility #ProgressTogether #DiversityAndInclusion #MaternityLeave

"AI is not just a tool; it’s a transformative force for driving socio-economic diversity in financial services." – Man Wong, Co-Founder of CandidateX. In our latest Supporter Recommends, Man Wong outlines how diversity discussions often focus on gender and ethnicity but that socio-economic diversity should not be overlooked. He writes about how AI can serve as a powerful ally in closing these gaps by: 🔹 Reducing bias in hiring: AI-powered tools can help move away from experience-centric hiring processes, focusing instead on skills and potential. 🔹 Data-driven interventions: By analysing career progression patterns, AI can pinpoint where individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds face barriers and enable targeted support. 🔹 Ethical AI implementation: Firms must adopt best practices, including diverse AI development teams and transparency in AI algorithms, to ensure fairness and effectiveness. Progress Together supporter CandidateX is leveraging AI to promote socio-economic diversity, ensuring that talented people from all backgrounds have opportunity to thrive. Read Man Wong's article and find out his recommended reading here: https://lnkd.in/ezVyMJbu #SocialMobility #DiversityAndInclusion #AI #CandidateX #FinancialServices

⏰ Remember to register for our upcoming roundtable on the "S" in ESG. Members, secure your spot now! You can also attend virtually as the event has reached full capacity. Please email: info@progresstogether.co.uk

It's worth remembering that financial services is not the only sector facing class inequity. It's a systemic issue in many industries. In this article for BBC News, entertainment reporter Steven McIntosh interviews screenwriter and playwright James Graham about the under-representation of working-class people in television. The article covers a lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival - Supported by Screen Scotland, where the writer said: "I could be wrong, but compared to other areas of under-representation, when it comes to class, I feel like we just don’t feel it, as much, in our bones." He added: "I would like to talk about how we might collectively make progress on that front." Graham is best known for writing plays and TV series including Sherwood, Dear England, Quiz, Best of Enemies and Brexit: The Uncivil War. He said that only a small number of people are "bringing their experiences, outlook, stories, culture, to a platform that is meant to reflect all those things back to us". You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ewsjUWa7 James's observations echo those also experienced in the financial services industry. If you're in financial services and would like to make a difference to the socio-economic make-up of the sector, you can find out how here: https://lnkd.in/eiqehtHS

Join us on the 11th September at 10am for our first webinar in our new Social Mobility Speaker Series, Levelling the Playing Field in partnership with Progress Together and the The Social Mobility Foundation. In this webinar, we will discuss 'What can we learn from professional services?' – we look forward to hearing from our speakers: - Jenny Baskerville, Head of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, KPMG UK - Sarah Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer, The Social Mobility Foundation - Grace Osborne, Social Mobility, Browne Jacobson Register here: https://lnkd.in/eCnFxmnD See what's coming up next in our Social Mobility Speaker Series: https://lnkd.in/ess-pSZT #WhatWorks #SocialMobility