Bank of Ireland commits to achieving 50:50 gender ratio in management and leadership appointments by 2021

Bank of Ireland has launched its fourth Responsible Business Report which provides a comprehensive picture of the Group’s 2017 activities under three main pillars – customers, colleagues and communities.

Included in the 2017 Responsible Business Report is a commitment to building greater gender balance within management and leadership teams. At the launch of the Responsible Business Report, Bank of Ireland Group CEO Francesca McDonagh announced that all management and leadership appointments will represent a 50:50 gender ratio by the end of 2021.

As part of the commitment to inclusion and diversity in 2017, Bank of Ireland was a founding member of the FuSIoN network (Financial Services Inclusion Network) with the objective of promoting the inclusion and professional development of LGBT professionals across the Irish Financial Services industry. In addition, the bank has signed up to the 30% Club in Ireland, an organisation advocating for better gender balance in business as well as the Women in Finance Charter (UK).

In addition to the six Employee Support Networks that the bank supported in 2017, the report also provides detail about the Accelerate programme which is aimed at equipping women with the skills, capabilities and confidence to progress their careers in Bank of Ireland.

Other key points of the Bank of Ireland Group Responsible Business Report 2017 include:

• €2.8 million donated to charities in 2017
• 1,300 employee volunteer days donated to charity and community organisations
• €14.1 billion in lending and the largest lender to the Irish economy for the fourth year running; largest market share in business lending and provided more than 50% of all new lending to the agri sector
• €1 billion fund available for property development lending
• 24% reduction in CO₂ emissions achieved through energy management programme since 2011
• €15.2 million invested in colleague learning and development
• 5,200 sports clubs supported through sponsorship

Speaking at the launch of the fourth Responsible Business Report, Bank of Ireland Group CEO, Francesca McDonagh said:

“If we want to achieve our purpose – which is to enable customers, colleagues and communities to thrive – then we must reflect the diversity of the customers we serve. As an organisation advocating for better gender balance in business we have set ourselves a goal of achieving an equal gender ratio in management and leadership appointments by 2021.

“The Bank of Ireland Responsible Business Report has become an important reference point for everyone within the organisation as we strive to continuously improve the culture within our business. Being part of a workforce that raised €2.8 million for charitable organisations, reduced CO₂ emissions by 24% and supported 5,200 sports clubs around the country brings a sense of pride amongst my colleagues. The Responsible Business Report continues to act as an incentive for us to improve our approach in 2018 and beyond.”

The full report can be accessed at www.bankofireland.com/responsiblebusiness.

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