The Diversity Project and Women Returners have joined forces to roll out a six-month cross-company programme to help financial services professionals come back to work.
The industry initiative, which champions diversity and inclusion, and the UK-based return to work organisation are offering ‘returnship’ placements for experienced people who took “multi-year” career breaks.
Seven UK financial services firms have signed up to participate in the scheme.
They are:
- Blackrock;
- BNY Mellon;
- Fidelity International;
- Legal & General Investment Management;
- Schroders;
- State Street Global Advisors; and,
- Willis Towers Watson
A foot back in the door
The scheme was unveiled on 15 January 2020 in London, at an event which saw around 130 individuals network with the participating employers.
The successful candidates will be offered a fully paid six-month placement with one of the seven firms, from April to October 2020, with a “strong likelihood of permanent employment at the end”, the Diversity Project and Women Returners said.
Julianne Miles, chief executive and co-founder of Women Returners, said: “The rapid growth of returnships over the last five years has shown that returning professionals are an impressive talent pool who bring multiple benefits to the companies they join.
“Following the success of our cross-company programmes in financial services in Scotland, we are confident that this model can accelerate the growth of returner hiring in the sector, create economies of scale and develop an invaluable peer group for the participating returners.”
Cultural shift
Rachel Harris, co-chair of the Diversity Project, hopes this will be the start of what could become a widespread practice across the sector.
“As an organisation, we are committed to championing a more inclusive culture within the industry and this initiative fully supports our ambition.
“The seven employers participating in the programme will benefit from a diverse talent pool, whilst providing a supported route back to mid- to senior level roles for the successful participants.
“We hope that this pilot programme will lead to the hiring of returners becoming a more accepted practice for our industry.”
