Event Location: Virtual on Zoom (for returnship in London and surrounding areas)
Event Date: 7 January 2021 (9.30am – 1pm)
Programme: Insight Event for 6-month returnship starting May 2021
Registration has now closed
Join us at the Diversity Project: Cross-Company Returner Programme 2021 Insight Event on 7 January at 9.30am. The capacity of the event has been extended and registration has re-opened. Book now to secure your place. Registration will close on Monday 4 January 2021.
The Cross-Company Returner Programme, now in its second year, is a 6-month returnship run by Women Returners in partnership with the Diversity Project, an industry-led initiative championing a more inclusive culture within the Savings and Investment sector. Participating employers for 2021 are Aviva Investors, BNY Mellon, Fidelity International, Janus Henderson, Legal and General Investment Management, Schroders, Standard Life Aberdeen and Willis Towers Watson. The Programme will open for applications mid-December 2020.
About the Diversity Project: Cross-Company Returner Programme 2021
The Programme offers a 6-month returnship placement with one of the participating employers. All roles will be based in London and surrounding areas but we anticipate the programme will start remotely (this will be confirmed closer to the time). The Programme will commence on 4 May 2021, and will run for 6 months with a strong likelihood of permanent employment at the end of the programme. Positions are at a professional level with a range of roles and areas available; these will be advertised when the programme application process opens in mid-December.
This is a fully supported route back to work and you will receive internal mentoring and a buddy, together with coaching support from Women Returners to help you to transition successfully back into the workplace. As coaching support will be delivered centrally, you will benefit from a large supportive peer network of like-minded people across all the organisations. Various flexible working options may be available during and after the Programme depending on the employer organisation and the role.
How will you benefit from the Insight Event?
The Insight Event will provide you with the opportunity to find out more about how the Programme will support you back to professional level employment within the Savings and Investment sector:
- Find out from the employers about the returnship opportunities on offer through the Programme
- Hear from a selection of the Returners from the 2020 cohort about their experience and successful return to work
- Participate in a return-to-work workshop facilitated by Women Returners
- Meet with other like-minded returners during the workshop and start to build your professional network
Who is the Insight Event for?
The Event is targeted at experienced professionals who have had an extended career break of at least 18 months (as at May 2021), who are looking to return to work within the Savings and Investment sector, and who are interested in applying for the returnship Programme. You may have taken time out to look after children or elderly/sick relatives, for relocation, for a personal health issue or for other reasons. You may have been working on a small-scale basis to fit around your other commitments or have not done any paid work for a number of years.
Information on the Diversity Project: Cross-Company Returner Programme 2020
In April 2020, 11 returners joined the pilot cross-company programme on a virtual 6-month placement with BlackRock, BNY Mellon, Fidelity International, Schroders and Willis Towers Watson. The programme has been hugely successful and 82% of participants have been offered ongoing employment with their employer on the programme.
Here’s what they had to say about the programme:
“Returning to the corporate world after a break can be daunting and nerve-wrecking. The Returner Programme gives you that extra confidence and support you need to succeed. Not only is the coaching highly valuable, but the support from your peers who are going through the experience as your are is very reassuring. I highly recommend the programme to anyone thinking of picking up their career again.”
“Forever grateful that I chanced upon the Women Returners – Diversity Project Programme. The support from Women Returners and the returner cohorts have been most invaluable in supporting this exciting yet daunting return to work journey. If anyone is thinking of returning to work after a career break, regardless of how long the break is, I can’t recommend this programme enough.”
You can read about Laverne’s return to work journey here and Sophie’s here in our Success Story Library.
About The Diversity Project
This cross-company initiative believes that there is an extraordinary opportunity to press the re-set button in the industry: to recruit, nurture and retain the first truly diverse generation of Savings and Investment professionals. Diversity is not only our social obligation, it’s a business imperative.
To register
The event is free to attend and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please register via the link here, answering the registration questions to confirm your eligibility.
Applications for the Cross-Company Returner Programme will open mid-December 2020. It is not a requirement that you attend the insight event to apply for the programme.
With any questions please email hazel@womenreturners.com
