Brightstar launches Women in Finance workshop

This to discuss developments for the Women in Finance Charter and identify ways in which women can increase their profile and advance their careers to create a more representative sector.

Brightstar launches Women in Finance workshop

Brightstar Financial has marked International Women’s Day with a Women in Finance Workshop.

This to discuss developments for the Women in Finance Charter and identify ways in which women can increase their profile and advance their careers to create a more representative sector.

International Women’s Day has been celebrated on 8 March since 1913, bringing together governments, women’s organisations, businesses and charities from across the world. This year’s theme is #BalanceforBetter.

Clare Jupp, people development director at Brightstar Financial, said: “With the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap report telling us that gender parity is more than 200 years away, there has never been a more important time to keep motivated and to keep pushing for progress, balance and change.

“While this prediction might seem rather devastating, it sends a strong reminder that there is still a huge way to go with securing gender parity in society.

“In the context of the financial services sector, this means committing to, and ensuring that, women are represented positively at all levels, including in the very highest positions.

“International Women’s Day seeks to celebrate women’s achievements, as well as acting as a catalyst for change when it comes to gender equality.

“It has been observed for over 100 years and is now celebrated around the world. At Brightstar, we are committed to marking this day on an annual basis and we feel passionate about making change.”

As such, team members at Brightstar will today discuss the ‘balance’ that has been achieved within the organisation, with team members participating in some self-designed creative photographs to depict this ‘balance’.

They will also be celebrating the fact that everybody can enjoy equality in terms of pay, opportunities, benefits and rights. Part of this entitlement is offering all members of the team, regardless of gender, flexible working practices and support in their roles as parents and carers, wherever needed.

Jupp added: “Brightstar has worked hard to remove the label of flexible or ‘dynamic’ working as being exclusively a women’s ‘issue’ and ‘right’ and is certainly seeing the positive effects of this. Firstly, everybody has access to better work life balance and secondly, gender parity is massively enhanced.”

The Women in Finance Workshop will bring together women from across the Brightstar Group and special guests to discuss the Women in Finance Charter and the work that Brightstar is doing to advance the Women in Finance agenda.

They will also talk about the experiences of being a woman working in financial services and to identify ways in which women can increase their profile and advance their careers in financial services, ultimately creating a more representative sector.

The workshop will be held in Brightstar’s Billericay headquarters, will be led by Jupp and learning champion for Women in Finance/STL specialist Jo Logan, and is expected to be attended by 25 team members.

Brightstar was an early adopter of the Charter back in 2016 and has since participated in and led events to inspire and support others in making the pledge.