Hope Capital wins award for Equality Employer of the year

Hope Capital has won its first award as Equality Employer of the Year in publication Financial Reporter’s Women’s Recognition Awards (FRWRA).

The prestigious event, held in Alexandra Palace in London, supports the growing momentum for a more diverse and equal financial services community.

Financial Reporter says, “Following the introduction of HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter, momentum has gathered behind the movement towards making a traditionally male-dominated industry not only a welcoming space for women, but also one in which they are given the tools and opportunities to thrive. The FRWRAs strive to be a part of this positive change, by recognising the women who are succeeding and creating a path for an industry where hard work merits success, regardless of gender.”

Hope Capital won the highly contested award ahead of Lloyds Banking Group, which was also shortlisted.  Hope Capital was recognised for ‘being one of the most gender diverse companies, not only in the bridging market but also across the wider financial services arena.’

66% of Hope Capital’s staff are female, while 66% of the Senior Leadership Team are women and four key departments consist entirely of women.

To demonstrate its belief in equality, Hope Capital signed the Women in Finance Charter in 2018, to publicly declare its commitment to helping encourage more women into financial services and then provide them with the training and support to make a success of their careers. Unlike other companies however, Hope Capital ensured that it had already hit its targets regarding equality before it signed up to the Charter, rather than just setting an intention which is more common, because it believes that actions speak louder than words.

Almost all key roles at Hope Capital are held by women, hence the high presence at both Senior Leadership Team and board level. Key roles held by women include: Finance Director, Head of Business Development, Head of Portfolio Management, Head of Marketing and Head of Underwriting. Other women occupy roles across the company, from BDMs to case management, underwriting to administration; these roles and the women in them most definitely help shape the future of the company.

But Hope Capital goes further than just recruiting women, it also provides support and development to help them succeed and helps female employees to grow and expand their careers by promoting from within.  Its female staff are frequently profiled in the press and finally, Hope Capital also actively supports the Sunshine Group, a charity aimed at helping breast cancer sufferers.