The importance of the Women in Credit Awards
On September 30, the Women in Credit Awards will take place in London. It’s an event I’m delighted to champion and is an essential step in encouraging and advocating greater diversity across financial services. I say step because, on its own, it’s not enough. What we need as an industry are many collective steps to deliver positive change to address what the FCA referred to as; ‘serious inequalities and lack of inclusion between different groups (that) have been present in our society for many years,’ in a joint paper issued with the Bank of England and Prudential Regulation Authority in July.
In the UK’s diverse, multicultural environment that we see today, I see it as natural that as a business, we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels able to participate and achieve their potential regardless of gender, race, religion, disability, age and sexual orientation among others. Nor do I see this as a regulatory or PC thing to do; quite simply, it is the right thing to do.
In creating positive change and inspiring people to support and embrace such change, we cannot underestimate the importance of role models. Certainly, this includes well-known personalities in the world of sport, entertainment and business, but very arguably, there’s also a critical space for highlighting inspiring work peers. Women in Credit is a platform to inspire other women to strive to achieve their hopes and dreams, in the knowledge that they are part of a business and industry where these can be realised.
From MotoNovo, I am proud to highlight the six inspiring women from our own business who have been shortlisted for an award:
- Team Player of the Year – Victoria Loosmore
- Outstanding Returner – Laura Griffin
- Colleague of the Year – Debbie Mckay
- Team Leader of the Year – Creditor - Claire Fussey
- Innovator of the Year – Courtney Putland
- Transformation of the Year - Amy Dicomidis
You can read their stories in our Women in Credit blog here.
In my mind, each of these women is already a winner in our business. They’re making a difference to our business and their fellow colleagues. And, I should add, they are not alone; there are many examples across our business of people from all backgrounds making a positive impact and I aim to keep championing them, catching people doing the right thing.
At MotoNovo, we have work to do on our journey to greater diversity and inclusion, but our commitment to positive change is undoubted. We are on a mission, championing diversity and inclusion internally and externally, and we are not alone. The FCA’s discussion paper referenced previously was designed to accelerate the pace of meaningful change on diversity and inclusion across financial services. The paper included a reference to research on the correlations between diversity and inclusion and its impact of business that noted;
“Research shows evidence of correlations between diversity and inclusion and positive outcomes in risk management, good conduct, healthy working cultures, and innovation.”
I’m delighted that our regulator has highlighted these benefits, but I come back to what is driving me on this issue and it is elegantly simple; it is the right thing to do.
Karl Werner, Managing Director
