Francis’ Post

The CFA Institute Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Code champions positive systemic change in the investment industry by providing a structured framework that supports the efforts of employers, executive leaders, investment professionals, and HR and DEI specialists in fostering and reaping the benefits of more inclusive workplaces. The Australian DEI Code and Implementation Guidance were specifically tailored for our region with input from the Working Group, including leading employers in the investment industry. The DEI Code is available to investment organisations in Australia of any size ready to accelerate change by fostering a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The DEI Code is not just about words, but actions, to help organisations lead #DEI with accountability and impact. Learn more and join us in shaping a more inclusive future. https://lnkd.in/gbe59BRe Lisa Carroll, Michaela Francis, Jenny Liakopoulos, Michelle Granbery, Stephanie B., Brenda Ho, Brent Anderson, Mona Basso, Sandi Orleow, CFA GAICD, Johanna Neilsen GAICD, Sarah Maynard

#StrongerTogether In partnership with our friends at Investment Diversity Advisory Council (IDAC), don't miss the next DEI Force Multiplier Roundtable meeting, Thursday, April 18th at 2pm. This quarter's topic: "Standing & Working Together Amidst the DEI Backlash." We look forward to collaborating with our cousin organizations and industry leaders at this virtual roundtable. If you would like to attend, please email admin@idac.net for more information. #DEI #diversity #inclusion #diversitymatters #inclusivefinance #privateequity #assetmanagers

2024 marks 30 years since the birth of our nation. Over the last three decades, significant industry challenges have been faced and encouraging progress made. In her latest article, Sumayya Davenhill, Head of Marketing and Chair of our CSI committee, shares five insights from our own transformation journey since establishing our local business in 1994 that might resonate with yours.   #30YearsOfTransformation #DiversityAndInclusion #EmpoweringCommunities #InvestmentForEquality  #TransformingFinancialServices

🚀 Why SMEs Can't Give Up on DEI 🚀 A worrying downward trend, reported by Axios (summary in the comments), suggests #CEOs in the US have walked away from #DEI over the last 2 years, simply to avoid getting into trouble with lawmakers and conservative activists. If the adage that the "if the US sneezes, then the UK gets a cold" holds true, we must avoid following suit, this side of the pond. I've been around long enough to watch the lighthouse thinking dominate our approach to the commercial and social necessity that is Workplace Diversity, despite the benefits being consistent: 🤼 Diverse and inclusive teams outperform their homogeneous counterparts. 💪 Strong DEI focus allows SMEs to attract top talent, foster innovation, and better serve their customers. 👧 Employees, especially younger generations, expect their employers to prioritize DEI. The long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term concerns. Whilst ESGs and designated expertise in-house aren't a reality for this segment, I encourage all SME leaders to double down on #DEI efforts this year and avoid the prevailing noise. Your employees, customers, and the wider community will thank you for it. #DEI #Diversity #Culture

- BREAKING NEWS - The DEI Board Un-Conference, In-Person meeting dates and locations have just been announced! Used to the typical conference where phone scrolling and hall strolling are encouraged? Happy with maybe 30% of the information being relevant? Does being hounded by vendors and salespeople enhance your experience?.... Then this event is NOT for you. If you want to meet face-to-face with only senior DEI leaders at the biggest brands who are moving the needle in DEI, for confidential, closed-door strategy sessions where you walk away with tangible, actionable resources, without vendor or sales noise....This IS the event for you. Leading Diversity at a large company? Navigating the current socio-political landscape? See the value in connecting with your peers? Save your spot today. Link below 👇 #inclusion #diversityequityinclusionbelonging #leaders #community

🙌 M&A News 🙌 - In light of recent events, the tragic passing of a 35-year-old BofA associate has sparked conversations about the burnout epidemic in my industry of IB and M&A. With work weeks stretching over 100 hours, there is a pressing need to address this issue. Many banks are considering capping working hours at 80 per week, but challenges persist, including oversight concerns and potential micromanagement. This shift may bring both control and additional complexities to the industry. For working mothers like myself, balancing demanding careers and family responsibilities remains a significant challenge. The need for change to support women in reaching senior positions while managing these dual roles is essential. An event I am hosting for women in Industry is covering just this - https://lnkd.in/gFi7MSrF. In other News: * Beston Global Food Company [ASX:BFC] has received a non-binding offer from Megmilk Snow Brand [TYO:2270] to acquire the company’s cheese and lactoferrin production business at Jervois, South Australia by way of an asset and business sale. * Reverion, a German biogas-based energy production firm, raised USD 62m through a Series A investment round. * Australia-based REA Group [ASX:REA] is in talks with bankers including Bank of America and Deutsche Bank regarding a potential bridge loan to back REA's takeover bid for the UK-based real estate portal Rightmove [LON:RMV]. * EQT's stake in Nexon Asia Pacific has hit five years, and investment bankers are eyeing it for deals as Australia's IT services sector sees increased M&A activity. In 2022 Nexon reported revenue of AUD 188.8m (USD 125.7m). *Morrison & Co may sell its 15% stake in Perth Airport, potentially sparking further investor shifts, as infrastructure deals gain momentum with expected interest rate cuts. Happy Friday All!! #MergersAndAcquisitions #WorkLifeBalance #IndustryInsights

Part 3 of our "Defending DEI" series is out! Get insights from heads of diversity, equity, and inclusion on building strong internal partnerships to ensure your DEI efforts are positioned to thrive, despite the backlash. Download the guide here (along with parts 1 and 2): https://lnkd.in/gHe8tnkf #DEIBoard #DefendingDEI #DEI #DEIStrategy

What will you do to drive change for diversity and its inclusion in your business and wider society? Thank you to the brilliant panellists Anne Boden, Anton Padmasiri, Christian Tooley and Wincie Wong! It was an honour to moderate the discussion This is what I learnt: 👏 Inclusion has faced backlash - what will we as an industry do to commit to diversity, equity and inclusion? 👏 Inclusion should be part of your business's foundation from day one, and smaller start-ups are excelling because of it. 👏 We need more policies to attract more talent from all backgrounds and experiences to the industry, and examples of the benefits here are plentiful. 👏 Work with Government task forces to ensure equitable actions become the expectation is underway. 👏 Driving forward positive actions day in, day out for everyone to be involved in are being implemented. Thank you Innovate Finance and Seven Hills for the brilliant opportunity to moderate on stage at this year's #IFGS #walkthetalk #inclusionincludsusall #careers #diversityandinclusion

Saving the best till last?? My daughter always keeps her favourite mouthful for last whereas my son always eats his favourite first! I usually eat even mouthfuls across the plate as I love it all :) Sort of like having my cake and eating it which is how I like to roll. Anyway, last night we started our last two groups on our Inspiring Partnerships programme in our November 2024 cohort. Many thanks to Jeff Jones at Insight Investment and Georgina Dennis at Osborne Clarke for all your support in bringing such wonderful participants onto the programme to work with local school leaders - looking forward to seeing how they all go. Over the past week we had 67 partnerships start in total which takes our grand total of partnerships to a whopping 363. Last week I had written about reaching 300 and now we're nearly at 400! There are over 7000 schools in the UK where there are at least 30% of students living in poverty. That's a stunning statistic, don't you think? Students in poverty as just as able and talented as those living in the most expensive houses and indeed many even more so. Typically though they achieve lower outcomes and have fewer opportunities to use their talents at work. Come and join our programme which ultimately wants us all to realise that talent is everywhere! That everyone should be able to have their cake and the icing and the sprinkles all in the same mouthful! We're actively hiring new participants for our next cohort which starts in Feb 2024. Come and join the other 20+ organisations we are working with, including KPMG UK, Linklaters, EY, Pearson, WTW, AXA XL, Opencast | B Corp™ and PwC. Their senior leaders get so much insight from the programme - and so will yours. Let's make the world a fairer place together. It's good for your people and it's good for your business! #socialimpact #socialvalue #learninganddevelopment #talentdevelopment #csr #esg #volunteerwithimpact #inspiringpartnerships Cake baked by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

🌟 Celebrating Excellence: Lewis Brownlee Wins Company of the Year Award! 🌟 We were honoured to sponsor the Company of the Year Award at the recent Dynamic Awards, organised by Platinum Media Group Ltd, where our very own Samantha Kaye served on the judges panel. The prestigious award went to Lewis Brownlee Chartered Accountants & Tax Advisers - spearheaded by Sarah Alexander FCCA FCA, Lewis Brownlee - for their unwavering commitment to equality and remarkable achievements in the field of accountancy. They offer a wide range of services from tax planning to innovative strategies in business advisory and digital solutions. Founded in 1990, Lewis Brownlee was built on a foundation of financial expertise and human-centered values. Their ethos transcends accounting – relentlessly pursuing excellence in their field whilst cultivating relationships within their community and redefining what it means to be leaders in finance. As a female-led firm, Lewis Brownlee, believes in fostering a fun-loving and supportive environment where every team member thrives. They are pioneers in implementing mental health and menopause support policies, ensuring a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. They boast an impressive 62.4% female leadership team in a traditionally male dominated industry. Moreover, Lewis Brownlee believes in nurturing the next generation of female leaders through their involvement in sponsoring the Graylingwell Girls Football team, initiatives such as the Prince’s Trust ‘Change a Girl’s Life’ and facilitating financial workshops. Lewis Brownlee’s ethos have profoundly resonated with us, because here at Wellesley, we understand the unique challenges women face and are passionate about female empowerment. We can’t wait to see what Lewis Brownlee does next as they continue to shape the future of accounting one ground-breaking achievement at a time 🎉👏 #DynamicAwards2024 #CompanyOfTheYear #LeadershipExcellence