Government Funding Boosts Ireland‘s Women in Finance Charter
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The irish government has reaffirmed its commitment to gender diversity in the financial sector wiht a €50,000 funding injection for the Women in Finance Charter. This support will ensure continued data collection and research, building on the significant progress already made in increasing female portrayal at all levels within the industry.
About the Women in Finance Charter
Launched in 2022 as part of the Ireland for Finance strategy, the Women in Finance Charter is a collaborative initiative led by industry and supported by the government. Its core aim is to improve the representation of women in financial services firms operating in Ireland. The initiative is spearheaded by Banking & Payments Federation Ireland, Financial Services Ireland (part of Ibec), Insurance Ireland, and Irish Funds, with active participation from the Department of finance, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and Enterprise Ireland.
Significant Gains in Female Representation
The Charter has rapidly gained traction, now encompassing 104 companies – representing over half of all employees in Ireland’s financial and insurance sector. Recent data demonstrates a positive trend in female representation as the Charter’s inception:
- Board Level: 36.3% female representation (up from 30.3%)
- Senior Management: 43.4% female representation (up from 36.2%)
- CEO Level: 22.6% female representation (up from 19.4%)
Continued Support and Data Analysis
The government funding will support the crucial work of the Charter’s data partner, ensuring the continued collection and analysis of data to track progress and identify areas for improvement. Following a three-year pilot period with the Economic Social and Research Institute (ESRI) as the data partner, a new procurement process is underway to secure a partner for the coming period. This ongoing analysis is vital for maintaining momentum and demonstrating the impact of the Charter.
Industry and Government collaboration
Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, credit Unions, and Insurance, Robert Troy, T.D., emphasized the government’s commitment to gender diversity. Industry leaders have also voiced their support:
Fiona Gallagher, Chair of the Women in Finance Charter Steering Group and CEO of Wells Fargo Bank International, highlighted the Charter’s positive impact.
Brian Hayes, BPFI Chief Executive, underscored the importance of continued progress.
Patricia Callan, Financial Services ireland (FSI) Director, emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative.
Moyagh Murdock, Insurance Ireland CEO, acknowledged the Charter’s achievements.
Pat Lardner, Irish Funds Chair, reinforced the commitment to inclusivity.
looking Ahead: Expanding Inclusivity
Recognizing the success of the Charter, Minister troy has called on the wider international financial services sector to adopt similar inclusion measures. Over the course of 2026,the Department of Finance will collaborate with stakeholders to assess current inclusivity practices,identify best practices,and address remaining gaps. This work will complement broader government initiatives,such as the newly established Disability Unit within the Taoiseach’s department.
Resources
Ireland’s Women in Finance Charter, Annual Report 2025 is available at the ESRI website.
Published: 2026/01/08 07:35:27