In the asset management industry, 23% of all investing roles are held by women at private equity firms globally, finds a recent report, which encourages the wider industry to commit to bringing greater gender inclusion and equity to the sector.

The sustainability report published by investor services provider IQ-EQ outlines the initiatives the company is spearheading the drive to close the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) gap in the industry, with some key projects, including:

• Supporting female fund managers with Launchpad, the company’s initiative designed to help first-time female fund managers to launch and build their funds. This includes a comprehensive support package providing women fund managers with tailor-made training and knowledge sharing.
• Championing women in leadership positions with its Elevate programme that supports female employees through workshops, guest speakers and groups to further develop their skills. Women represent almost 40% of the company’s global management team, up from 10% in 2021.

As well, the report showcases why a diverse workplace, including more women and young people, contributes to fresh perspectives, technological proficiency, adaptability and a company’s long-term growth potential.

“Empowering women in private equity has long been a goal of ours,” says Caroline Bagshaw, the company’s group chief people officer. “Fuelling female success in this sector starts with breaking down barriers, working towards achieving pay parity across genders, and improving the ratio of women in senior-level management positions.”