The Diversity Project Cross-Company Returner Programme is an established partnership between Women Returners and the Diversity Project, an industry-led initiative championing a more inclusive culture within the Savings and Investment sector.
The pilot programme launched in 2020 and has since partnered with 19 organisations including adrn, Artemis Investment Management, Aviva Investors, Fidelity International, Fulcrum Asset Management, Janus Henderson, Northern Trust, PGIM Fixed Income and Schroders. It has supported over 65 career returners to resume their careers within the industry.
About the Programme
The Diversity Project Cross-Company Returner Programme 2024 is aimed at employers in the investment and savings industry based in London or surrounding areas. The 6-month returnship, launching for applications in 2024, provides experienced professionals who have taken career breaks of 18 months or more with a supported route back to mid-to-senior level roles.
We will partner with participating organisations to design, promote, support and manage the programme. Returner hires will take on a real job in one of the participating firms. They will benefit from our Career Returners Coaching Programme as a cohort and will enjoy being part of a cross-company returner peer group.
We have proven this model is highly successful, the programme has grown year-on-year with a 2023 conversion rate of 92%. It runs twice yearly with a spring cohort starting in April and an autumn cohort in September.
How the Programme will benefit your organisation
Employers will benefit from our expertise and guidance, alongside Employer Toolkits, Returner Inclusive Recruitment Training, Interviewer and Line Manager Briefing Sessions and ongoing programme support. As the programme is designed with a cross-company structure, participating organisations will also benefit from a collaborative forum with other organisations.
The Programme provides employers the opportunity to attract high calibre and experienced returner talent, to increase diversity of gender, age and experience and to address skills gaps within your organisation.
“The Diversity Project Cross-Company Returner Programme confirms that the breadth and depth of talent in the returner space is rich and diverse. It is exactly this diversity of thought that is pivotal to understanding and delivering on the needs of our clients so we can continue to work together to build better financial futures. We look forward to continuing to benefit from this exceptional talent pool of individuals.” Stephanie Marshall, Head of European Talent Acquisition, Fidelity International.
How to find out more
If you are interested in finding out more, or if you have any questions, please email Hazel Little on hazel@womenreturners.com
About Women Returners
Women Returners is a purpose-led organisation solely focused on enabling the return to work of professionals after an extended career break. We pioneered the introduction of returnships into Europe in 2014, created the supported hiring concept and developed Career Returner Coaching. We have partnered with over 170 employers including many FTSE 250 organisations to deliver a wide variety of returner solutions and events. We also run the free Women Returners Professional Network of over 8,500 high-calibre women on long career break, centred on UK and Ireland.