D&I for fund managers was our 6th event focused on the link between reputation and culture. This time we focused on the asset management community and private equity in particular with a panel representing the views of investors and advisors who believe that the time has come for firms to focus on their own D&I, not only that of their portfolio companies.
From a reputation perspective we believe it is important for firms to communicate to stakeholders that they are acting on D&I, even if they are currently far from perfect. Better to convey the message that your firm is an engaged improver than a head-in-the-sand denier. As the FRC articulated in its report on the state of FTSE reporting, ‘At one end, a sophisticated understanding of diversity as the best utilisation of talent and a significant strategic issue is evident. At the other end, a lack of engagement, leading to a minimalistic, ‘tick-box’ approach.’ From our perspective, there are plenty of ways to get the message out there as well as to engage on D&I issues internally.
