Inclusion in Finance - Global mission to embed inclusion and cognitive diversity

The Diversity Project UK, Diversity Project Europe and Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America today announce a new phase of global collaboration as they rebrand in their respective regions as Inclusion in Finance and set out shared global ambitions for the next five years.

The move marks a significant step and opportunity to align the three organisations more closely across the UK, Europe and North America, strengthening their shared mission to embed inclusion and cognitive diversity at the heart of financial performance.

Founded in the UK in 2016 to improve diversity within the investment and savings industry, the Diversity Project was followed by the launch of Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America in 2018 and Diversity Project Europe in 2023. Together, the three organisations now represent over 130 member firms globally, collectively managing over €24 trillion of assets. 

While each organisation will continue to operate independently within its region, the new Inclusion in Finance identity provides a more coordinated global approach; sharing research, programmes and best practices, while tailoring delivery to local markets.

The rebrand comes at a time of increasing polarisation in the global diversity debate. Inclusion in Finance is reaffirming its commitment to evidence-based action that improves client-based outcomes while expanding opportunities for member firms and individuals across the industry.

Central to this next chapter is a deeper emphasis on cognitive diversity. In 2025, the Diversity Project commissioned independent research by Professor Alex Edmans of London Business School to examine the business case for diversity of thought. The findings indicate that with the right leadership, cognitive diversity can enhance decision-making and improve outcomes.

This evidence-led approach will underpin the organisation’s strategy going forward.

To deliver on its mission, Inclusion in Finance has set out five priorities to guide collaboration across the UK, Europe and North America:

1. Increase global financial sector impact: Strengthening coordination across the UK, Europe and North America, applying a global approach with local adaptation and broadening membership to reflect the shared challenges faced by the industry.

2. Inclusion of all: Ensuring opportunity, access and good working environments for everyone across an expanding array of global financial sectors including investment and savings, asset and wealth management, and financial services.

3. Greater focus on cognitive diversity: Building awareness, tools and leadership capability to harness diverse thinking as a driver of innovation and performance.

4. Address under-representation: Expanding proven programmes to improve representation of individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, women, ethnic minority professionals and people with disabilities, in turn helping the industry to benefit from a wide range of talent at all levels.

5. Accelerate measurement and accountability: Combine data with cultural indicators to launch a new accreditation framework for firms to benchmark their progress and track long-term outcomes across the industry.

The new ambitions build on significant progress already achieved across the three organisations’ programmes and partnerships.

In the UK, where the organisation is celebrating its tenth anniversary, Inclusion in Finance has supported more than 30,000 individuals through industry-led programmes and initiatives spanning early education to senior leadership. These include the award-winning Pathway programme, which has helped 240 aspiring female portfolio managers and traders over its first three years with another 80 in the Class of ’26. 22% of all participants have had a role change, of which 63.5% were promoted. 76 Firms have been involved in Pathway sinceinception. The Skills Workshop, offering undergraduates the insights, knowledge and direction needed to pursue a finance career has reached more than 20,000 students while the Catalyst Education Programme delivers high professional exam pass rates for young people in Years 12 and 13 from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The organisation has also contributed to government legislation to limit the use of NDAs for behaviours like sexual harassment – a vital step in maintaining positive workplace cultures.

In North America, the Rising Stars programme, which is now in its fifth year, recognises high-performing professionals nominated by their firms and supports them through a six-month Inclusive Leadership coaching programme, with 156 graduates having participated int he programme to date. In addition, the Perception Study has become a cornerstone benchmarking tool for the industry, capturing data on lived experience, workplace culture, and inclusion. The data set now offers one of the most robust views into how inclusion is experienced across the asset and wealth ecosystem, highlighting measurable progress as well as persistent gaps that require focus on leadership, accountability, and employee engagement. The annual Fearless Leadership Symposium convenes senior executives and emerging leaders to translate commitment into action. Designed to elevate candid dialogue and practical solutions, the symposium spotlights leading practices, research and real-world case studies that advance inclusive leadership. The event has gathered hundreds of industry business leaders and has become a catalyst for embedding inclusion and cognitive diversity into business strategy and long-term performance.

In Europe, since launching in 2023, Inclusion in Finance has laid a strong evidence-based foundation for industry progress. In partnership with PwC, it published two first of its kind, major research reports covering more than 30 asset managers representing over €12 trillion in AUM, highlighting gaps in senior female representation and the limited focus on social mobility across the sector. These insights have led to targeted action, including the launch of a cross-border mentorship programme for women in investment, sales and other roles, and a new Social Mobility initiative defining practical steps for firms to broaden access, strengthen cognitive diversity and improve long-term investment outcomes.

Ric van Weelden, Chair, Inclusion in Finance Europe, says: “In Europe, our focushas been to ensure that inclusion is anchored in rigorous analysis and practical action, reflecting the diversity and complexity of our markets. We have seen strong engagement from asset managers across the continent who recognise that gender equality, social mobility and cognitive diversity are not peripheral topics, but central to long-term competitiveness.

By working in close collaboration with our colleagues in the UK and North America, we can accelerate progress - sharing research, scaling effective programmes and strengthening the global case for inclusion as a driver of better decision-making and investment outcomes. Together, we are building a globally aligned, locally embedded movement for change that is reshaping standards across the financial industry.”

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

“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. I’m excited about what can be achieved through a thoughtful, collaborative and determined effort and looking forward to the next ten years!”

Jim Fitzpatrick, President & CEO of Nicsa’s Inclusion in Finance North America, says: “Inclusion in Finance marks a bold new chapter. By uniting leaders acrossthe UK, Europe, and North America under one global banner, we are coordinating action into measurable results. For more than six decades, Nicsa has brought the asset and wealth management industry together to solve complex challenges and elevate leading practices. This initiative builds on that legacy of collaboration and progress. At Nicsa, we continue to believe that inclusion and cognitive diversity are performance imperatives that fuel innovation, strengthen decision-making, and unlock sustainable growth across the asset and wealth management industry. Inclusion in Finance is now a global platform poised to drive real impact, and we invite organizations across our industry to join us in shaping a more future-ready industry.”

Inclusion in Finance is a cross-company initiative working to accelerate progress towards a more inclusive, high-performing finance industry. Operating across the UK, the North America and Europe, it brings together firms from major financial centres. Its mission is to reshape the finance industry to achieve better outcomes - underpinning it with the twin foundations of inclusion and cognitive diversity to power robust decision-making and long-term business success.

Inclusion in Finance spans the breadth of the finance industry, including asset owners, investment managers, fund selectors, pension consultants, actuaries, trustees, wealth managers, investment banks, and professional standards and trade bodies. By convening industry leaders, delivering evidence-based programmes, educational events, best practice guides, advocacy, collaboration and commissioning independent research, it supports firms in strengthening leadership, talent pipelines and inclusive cultures that benefit clients, member firms, employees and shareholders alike.

Europe: inclusioninfinanceeurope.com

UK: inclusioninfinance.com

North America: www.nicsa.org/inclusion-in-finance