The Diversity Project UK, Diversity Project Europe, and Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America have rebranded in their respective regions to Inclusion in Finance and agreed to align on new five-year ambitions.

The three organisations will work more closely together across the UK, Europe, and North America, aiming to embed inclusion and cognitive diversity at the centre of financial performance.

Founded in the UK in 2016 to improve diversity within the investment and savings sector, the Diversity Project was followed by the launch of Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America in 2018 and Diversity Project Europe in 2023.

Together, they represent more than 130 global member firms that collectively manage over £21trn in assets.

Each organisation will continue to operate independently within their own regions, with the new Inclusion in Finance brand aiming to provide a more coordinated global approach, including sharing research, programmes, and best practices.

Inclusion in Finance said it was reaffirming its commitment to evidence-based action that improves client-based outcomes while broadening opportunities for members firms and individuals, with the next chapter to centre on the greater emphasis of cognitive diversity.

To meet its objectives, Inclusion in Finance has set out five priorities to guide the new collaboration.

These were increasing global financial sector impact; ensuring opportunity, access and good working environments for everyone across financial sectors; a greater focus on cognitive diversity; addressing under-representation; and accelerating measurement and accountability.

The group will be launching a new accreditation framework for firms to benchmark their progress and track long-term outcomes across the industry.

“The world is a very different place compared with when the Diversity Project launched 10 years ago, and our ambitions and name are changing to reflect the best way to make progress going forward,” commented Inclusion in Finance UK chair, Baroness Helena Morrissey.

“The study we commissioned on cognitive diversity has already helped to reset the discussion around diversity and inclusion within the UK investment industry to be more about evidence and less about politics.

“It’s brought new interest and commitment to our collective efforts to create opportunities for all talent through multiple programmes and thought leadership.

“Inclusion in Finance will build on everything we’ve done over our first decade, but with greater impetus as we work across the whole financial services industry and with our colleagues in Europe and North America.”

This article originally appeared in our sister publication Wealth Investment News.

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