At Schroders, we are focused on delivering excellence, supported by a high-performing, client-centric culture. We believe diverse talent empowered in an inclusive environment will help us achieve this aim as it allows all our people to thrive, helps drive innovation, and ensures resonance with all our clients across the globe.
With a renewed focus on our strategy implementation starting in 2025, there is an opportunity to accelerate our progress and be deliberate in our actions. The introduction of career frameworks and job levels will allow us to map, track, and support progression pathways better throughout the organisation. The implementation of a new recruitment platform enables us to review and refresh our talent acquisition approach to mitigate further the risk of bias. Additionally, the formalisation of a Global Inclusion Forum comprising the global Chairs of our 17 Employee Resource Groups will further strengthen dialogue with employees through a time of change. Getting these foundations right is the way to secure meaningful and sustainable change.
We believe that an inclusive team enriched by diverse perspectives is vital for innovation and effective decision-making. Within our industry, the under-representation of women, particularly in fund management and client-facing roles, remains pronounced. We aim to address this imbalance by ensuring equal access to career opportunities and resources for all employees. Our initiatives support recruitment, retention, and advancement, fostering an environment where talent can thrive, regardless of gender. By embedding inclusivity into our practices and regularly assessing our progress through transparent reporting, we reinforce our commitment to maintaining an inclusive and fair workplace for all. In light of our efforts in this area, over the course of 2024, gender representation continued to increase.