Women’s Wealth Alliance launches new careers guide

The Women’s Wealth Alliance, a taskforce of the Consumer Duty Alliance, has launched a new careers guide designed to help more women see personal finance as an accessible, flexible and rewarding career path.

This guide responds to recent research conducted by the taskforce that found that outdated perceptions remain a significant barrier to attracting more women into the profession.

More than eight in ten (84%) respondents said the sector’s male-dominated image is off-putting to women, while 49% highlighted a lack of awareness of the career opportunities and 47% said women feel a career in finance is ‘not for them’.

With insights into what different roles involve, how women can enter and progress in the profession and what helps them thrive, the guide shines a light on the opportunity to build a fulfilling, flexible and long-term career in personal finance.

Vanessa Barnes, chair of the Women’s Wealth Alliance, said: “Too many women still look at personal finance and assume it isn’t a career for them. We want to change that.

“Our research shows that women already working in the sector overwhelmingly find it supportive, flexible and full of opportunity.

“Ninety three per cent of women who have worked in financial planning would recommend it to other women – and that is a message we need to broadcast more widely.

“This guide is about helping women see what is possible. We hope it gives them the confidence to explore a sector where they can build a rewarding long-term career.”

Barnes recently participated in a panel at Money Marketing Interactive in Leeds arguing that the issue is not a lack of interest from women, but persistent structural and cultural barriers within the profession.

‘The idea women don’t want to be advisers is ridiculous’

Keith Richards, CEO of the Consumer Duty Alliance, added: “I believe there is a real appetite across the profession to attract more women, but outdated stereotypes can be difficult to shift.

“This guide gives firms, educators, career changers and aspiring professionals a practical way to show women what a career in personal finance can look like.”