Aviva have become the first FTSE 100 company to pledge that at least 30 per cent of its executive committee will be women.
As part of the 30% Club’s initiative, the insurance firm has committed to achieving the quota, ahead of the 2020 target. The initiative outlined by the 30% Club, aims to get a minimum of 30 per cent women on boards in FTSE 100 companies. The goal has also been extended to all FTSE 350 companies.
CEO of Aviva, Mark Wilson was behind the pledge, saying, “I am delighted to take this iconic action on behalf of Aviva. If we are to sharpen our competitive edge, innovate and create the products our diverse range of customers want, then we must attract and keep a diverse range of talented people and make sure our workforce better reflects the society it serves. So it’s just good business sense to have strong capable women leaders throughout Aviva, not least on the Group Executive, where we have already hit the 30% goal.”
Sarah Morris, Aviva’s chief people officer said, “Our ambition is that our workforce – at all levels – reflects our increasingly diverse customers and communities around the world. Diversity of thought, experience and backgrounds are critical ingredients in our view; we simply believe that enabling all of our people to be themselves at work is the right thing to do.”
The Global Chair of the 30% Club, Brenda Trenowden said, “Aviva is a long standing and active member of our Investor Group which focuses on tackling gender balance through constructive engagement with corporate boards. Mark’s commitment to his own Executive target is a clear sign that insightful leadership can help build the pipeline and make a real difference to gender balance within an organisation.”
The 30% Club was founded by Helena Morrissey CBE, CEO of Newton Investment Management. The club campaigns for the greater representation of women on the boards of FTSE companies, with a minimum target of 30 per cent.
