We define returners as individuals who have taken a career break of at least 18 months. Whilst career returners are not only women, hiring career returners should assist in reducing the industry’s gender and diversity pay gap.
Our 2023 priorities are:
- Track and measure the success of our fourth cross-company returners programme for 2023, to continue the excellent track record and positive impact (Measurement)
- Promote and launch further programmes as the number of Diversity Project members continues to increase (Accountability)
- Collaborate with other workstreams on events and projects (Intersectionality/Different Ways of Working)
- Continue to highlight to the industry the many different ways that returners can be brought (back) into our industry
- Ensure website materials remain up-to-date and relevant
To see our full Returners aims and objectives, please click here
Since 2020, the Diversity Project has partnered with Women Returners, the Return to Work Specialists, to deliver the Diversity Project: Cross-Company Returner Programme, a 6-month returnship. The aim of the programme is to increase diversity in gender, ethnicity, age and experience within the Investment and Savings Sector. It is an opportunity for Diversity Project members to benefit from an experienced talent pool of professionals and to collaborate to drive the diversity agenda at a sector level.
The programme targets experienced professionals who have taken a career break of 18 months or more. It is a fully supported route back to work, including the coaching delivered as a cohort providing cross-company peer support network, an internal mentor and a buddy.
Applications for employers to take part in the April 2024 Cross-Company Returners Programme are now open, and will close in September 2023.
The 2023 Cross-Company Returners Programme in partnership with Women Returners has a seven firms offering returnerships: abrdn, AXA Investment Managers, Fidelity International, Hayfin, Mercer, Mubadala Capital, and PGIM. If you are interested in opportunities at these firms, head to the programme’s webpage here.
The programme will run in London and surrounding areas and is targeted at experienced professionals looking to return to work after an extended career break of 18 months or more (as at September 2023). The programme is aimed at individuals who are interested in returning to a role in the Savings and Investment Sector. Participants will join via a 6-month returnship, with the strong likelihood of a permanent role at the end of the programme.
In the pilot in 2020, we had five participating organisations and 11 returners that were primarily placed in front office roles and also included project and change management. The programme was successful for both the participating organisations and the returners, with 9 out of 11 returners securing permanent employment at the end of the programme.
In 2021, 86% of the 20 returners secured permanent roles.
The 2022 programme continued to grow, with 27 returners joining abrdn, AON, Aviva Investors, DWS, Fidelity International, Janus Henderson, Northern Trust, PGIM, Schroders and Willis Towers Watson. 92% of participants secured ongoing roles with their employer.
In April 2023, we have welcomed 11 returners to the programme with Aviva Investors, Artemis Investments, Fulcrum Asset Management, LCP and Northern Trust.
Find out more about the 2023 programme here.
