As a 58 year old white bloke I did feel I was possibly the last person to to get involved in this topic, would be so much easier to keep my head down and let others much better placed than I to champion DI&E. After all, I've worked more years than I'm going to work in the finance industry.
But then, possibly as a consequence of getting older (and growing up!) I’m starting to listen, not just hear.
There’s not one moment or event that has brought about this Damascene conversion rather a culmination of observations and discussions with those in the finance industry, and hearing their experiences. This was amplified by discussing my career with both my sons, who are now at an age when shortly career choices will need to be made. And that led to me thinking.
Much of what the Association of Mortgage Introducers is trying to do with their recent initiative is to encourage the next generation into the finance industry, to get away from the preconceived idea that the City is run by old white blokes dominated by a proper “lads” culture. This is not something that can change overnight, indeed it might need a generation or two to retire before real change can be seen.
I am sure many companies are making great strides towards being more inclusive. Arbuthnot Latham Bank has introduced their own internal D&I forum - if a 180 year old bank can recognise this, there is perhaps real hope.
But change will come more slowly to some. Many will see various posts from those who attended MIPIM in Cannes, where property and finance meet annually. Now I have never been, and I’m not sure of the benefit but perhaps I should take a lead from an industry stalwart who had never been, until this year, went to “go and see what the fuss is all about”. But if coffee is 12 euros a cup......
Before my wife succumbed to my charms she worked for an international real estate company, (actually an estate agent). They hired a villa In Cannes each year to entertain and the week was sold as a great learning experience. Further investigation suggested these aging lothsarios were looking for “housekeepers and waitresses”. My wife politely declined.
Twenty plus years later - has it changed? Take another look at all the photos - who do you not see?
Now I will be the first to admit that my behavior of the years has not always been exemplary, far from it especially in the hedonistic 80’s in the City. But looking back now, at those “lads” times in the pub (which I did thoroughly enjoy), who did we exclude? Who was not comfortable in that environment? How welcoming were we? Perhaps something to think about even now when a photograph is posted of a celebration for a busy week, that big deal completed or that record month. Who’s not there?
Change cannot come quickly, it has to be organic. But if old white blokes like me can see the need then maybe the speed of organic growth can be accelerated - just a little.
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