Powered by MOMENTUM MEDIA
moneymanagement logo
 
 

Industry should represent the communities it serves: Mortgage Choice

12 September 2024
| By Malavika |
image
image image
expand image

The principal partner of this year’s Women in Finance Summit has said organisations that practise inclusivity are more likely to build trust in the community.

Ahead of the summit, Mortgage Choice’s executive manager, corporate communications, events and franchise marketing, Sally Chadwick, said that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is key to the long-term sustainability of organisations.

“As societies change and grow, so too do consumers’ values and preferences,” she told Money Management.

“Today, consumers’ social values are increasingly shaping their purchasing decisions, and organisations that demonstrate their commitment to inclusive practices are more likely to build trust in the community and attract customers whose values reflect those of the organisation.”

Chadwick noted that, in order to encourage more organisations to take action on DEI, it is critical to showcase how DEI practices benefit workplace culture and business success.

However, the financial advice industry and the wider corporate sector is not always reflective of diversity across the broader society in Australia, particularly when it comes to the representation of women.

Indeed, according to Adviser Ratings’ 2024 Q2 Database Report, little has changed in the gender composition of the advice profession in the last five years, with female advisers making up 22 per cent of the profession, compared to 78 per cent male.

Similarly, in the mortgage broking industry, only 26.6 per cent (or 3,547) of the 19,872 brokers in Australia are women, according to the most recent edition of the Industry Intelligence Service Report released by broking association Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA).

“At Mortgage Choice, we believe the financial services industry should represent the communities it serves, and we’re passionate about increasing the representation of women in the mortgage broking industry,” Chadwick said.

In 2020, the major brokerage established its Aspire program, a talent nurturing program that offers professional development opportunities, education and events designed to help women brokers build successful and fulfilling careers in the Mortgage Choice network.

Mortgage Choice has been the principal partner of the Women in Finance Awards since 2022 and also joined the Women in Finance Summit as its principal partner in 2023.

Commenting on the partnership, Chadwick said the major brokerage is thrilled to continue this partnership in 2024.

“Conferences like the Women in Finance Summit play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community in an industry like finance where women remain underrepresented,” she said.

“This summit creates a dedicated space for women to be inspired, connect with their peers, and learn from the thought leaders and role models who are elevating the finance industry.”

The Women in Finance Summit 2024 will be held on Friday, 15 November, at Hyatt Regency, Sydney.

Click here to book tickets and don’t miss out!

For further information, including agenda and speakers, click here.

This summit is produced by Captivate Events. If you need help planning your next event, email director Jim Hall at [email protected]

AUTHOR

Recommended for you

sub-bgsidebar subscription

Never miss the latest news and developments in wealth management industry

MARKET INSIGHTS

Significant ethical issues there. If a relationship is in the process of breaking down then both parties are likely to b...

3 weeks ago

It's not licensees not putting them on, it's small businesses (that are licensed) that cannot afford to put them on. The...

4 weeks ago

So we are now underwriting criminal scams?...

7 months ago

After last month’s surprise hold, the Reserve Bank of Australia has announced its latest interest rate decision....

3 weeks 2 days ago

WT Financial’s Keith Cullen is eager for its Hubco initiative to see advice firms under its licence trade at multiples which are catching up to those UK and US financial ...

3 weeks 6 days ago

While the profession continues to see consolidation at the top, Adviser Ratings has compared the business models of Insignia and Entireti and how they are shaping the pro...

1 week 1 day ago

TOP PERFORMING FUNDS

ACS FIXED INT - AUSTRALIA/GLOBAL BOND