Building a financial services sector where talent, not socio-economic background, determines who leads
A network of 60+ financial services firms working collaboratively to remove career progression barriers for employees from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Progress Together is a not-for-profit membership body focused on socio-economic inclusion and senior-level progression across UK financial services. Founded in 2022 following a Government-commissioned taskforce, we now represent over one third of the workforce.
Employees from lower socio-economic backgrounds progress up to 25% slower than their peers. The evidence shows progress is being made: the proportion of senior leaders from lower socio-economic backgrounds across our member firms has risen from 25% to 27% since 2023.
What we do
The reality behind progression in financial services
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Slower to progressTake 16% longer (nearly two years) to progress from middle to senior roles than peers from higher socio-economic backgrounds.16%
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The seniority gapMen from higher socio-economic backgrounds are 3.4x more likely to reach senior leadership than women from lower socio-economic backgrounds.3.4x
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Too few at the topJust 26% of senior leaders in financial services come from lower socio-economic backgrounds versus 34% at junior levels.26%
Member Benefits
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A network that accelerates progress
Work alongside leading financial services firms to share insight, tackle common challenges and shape solutions collectively through senior-level convening, peer learning and our public affairs and communications network.
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Programmes that build leadership
Build the capability, connections and organisational support needed to create lasting change through executive and non-executive roundtables, annual engagement with your ExCo sponsor and Progress Together leadership, and access to the Accelerated Progress Programme for high-performing talent from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
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Data and tools that drive real change
Move beyond intent with anonymous peer benchmarking, bespoke recommendation reports, access to the largest socio-economic diversity dataset in UK financial services, dedicated account support and Expert Advisory Days focused on your firm’s priorities.
Partner Benefits
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Shape the conversation and sector priorities
Contribute directly to research, campaigns and thought leadership that influence how the sector approaches talent, progression and leadership, working alongside Progress Together to identify priorities and shape practical solutions.
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Senior relationships and strategic access
Engage directly with senior leaders, regulators and policymakers through high-profile events, roundtables and strategic forums, building the relationships and influence that come with sector-wide credibility.
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Market credibility and lasting impact
Be recognised as a trusted organisation helping address one of financial services' most significant workforce challenges, through activity shaped around your priorities, from policy engagement and innovation pilots to secondments and content development.
Making the Invisible Visible
Making the Invisible Visible is Progress Together's flagship campaign to uncover the barriers slowing progression into senior leadership and spotlight the firms taking action to remove them. Bringing together sector leaders, policymakers and employees, the campaign combines data, lived experience and practical solutions to tackle one of the industry's biggest talent challenges.
As momentum builds across the sector, firms have an opportunity not only to be part of the conversation- but to help shape it.
Testimonials
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In today's market having the best talent and supporting your people to progress is even more critical than before. Being part of Progress Together has given us the tools and peer learning we needed for success.
Stephen White, Chief Operating Officer, Santander UK -
Being part of Progress Together has really helped shape how we approach socioeconomic diversity at Man Group. It's provided valuable thought leadership, practical resources, and shared strategies to address barriers to progression in Financial Services.
Emma Holden, Chief People Officer, Man Group -
We're stronger working together on topics like this – Progress Together has helped us turn good intentions into practical, impactful action.
Sarah Kaiser, Head of Employee Experience, Fidelity International
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