International Women's Day: Measuring the profession's progress

'The number of female advisers remains stubbornly low'

clock • 4 min read

International Women's Day rolls around again on 8 March. In a fast-paced and busy world, I see this annual event as an important opportunity to take stock of the progress we've made as an industry and the work that's left to do.

One thing I'm really pleased about this year is the growing recognition that diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) is not a box-ticking exercise but a real driver of value in your business. Diverse talent means diverse perspectives - and if you make sure that everyone in the room is heard (that's the inclusion part!), it's the best way to ensure you're meeting the needs of the broadest possible range of customers. Within the advice industry, it's also increasingly widely understood that clients might prefer to speak to advisers who share their backgrounds and experiences. The financi...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Targeted support signals evolution in advice delivery

Targeted support signals evolution in advice delivery

Softer launches expected at first

Isabel Baxter
clock 10 April 2026 • 1 min read
CII: Vulnerable client management is 'an opportunity for growth'

CII: Vulnerable client management is 'an opportunity for growth'

Firms can expand potential client bases

Isabel Baxter
clock 07 April 2026 • 2 min read
Common language used by advisers triggers anxiety and distrust among retirees

Common language used by advisers triggers anxiety and distrust among retirees

Product-led communication one of the biggest drivers of mistrust

Laura Purkess
clock 01 April 2026 • 1 min read