Treasury select committee launches inquiry into women in UK finance

The Treasury select committee (TSC) is starting an investigation into women in finance, seeking to understand why relatively few women occupy the top jobs in the City.

The Treasury has pledged to deliver gender balance in financial services as part of its Women in Finance Charter. However, the TSC wants to investigate whether progress has been made since the charter was established.

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The committee will also look at whether the government and regulators are acting as good role models for gender diversity.

Jayne-Anne Gadhia, chief executive of Virgin Money, will be the first to give evidence to the committee in a session next Tuesday. She penned the 2016 report which informed the industry actions outlined in the charter.

Nicky Morgan, head of the Treasury select committee, hinted she would start an investigation into women in finance when she was running for the role.

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“More women than men are employed in the financial services sector, but female representation at senior levels has been historically low,” said Morgan.

“Gender diversity across job grades and functions delivers benefits to firms, society and the wider economy.

“As part of this inquiry, the Committee will scrutinise the progress of the Treasury and firms against the Women in Finance Charter.”