Following the announcement of direct Government support of up to €50,000 for Ireland’s Women in Finance Charter earlier this year by Minister Troy, a procurement process was undertaken to secure a data partner for the coming year. After the assessment of received tenders, the contract was awarded to the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), who were the research partner for the previous three years.
This funding, as well as the contract award to the ESRI, will ensure that the Women in Finance Charter will last beyond its pilot stage and continue to deliver on the industry’s objectives in relation to female representation.
In the initial three years, the Charter has built significant momentum, engaging 104 companies to become signatories, representing over 72,000 employees or more than half of all employees in the financial and insurance sector in Ireland.
Minister Troy said:
“Government is committed to advancing diversity practices across many industries, and direct funding of the Women in Finance Charter is further evidence of that. The Charter has delivered meaningful results in its first three years, and I am confident it can continue to build on that early success. Collection of industry data is key to accountability and transparency on the progress made, and the ESRI are well placed to support the Charter in this next phase.”
Prof. Helen Russell, Research Professor at the ESRI, said:
“We are pleased to have been selected to continue our role as a data partner for the Women in Finance Charter. Independent, high quality research plays a vital role in tracking progress and supporting greater gender representation across the financial services sector.”
Ireland’s Women in Finance Charter originated under the Ireland for Finance strategy in 2022, with an aim to improve female representation in financial services firms operating in Ireland. The initiative is led by industry and supported by government. The lead organisations are: Banking & Payments Federation Ireland, Financial Services Ireland (part of Ibec), Insurance Ireland, and Irish Funds, with active participation from the Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and Enterprise Ireland.
With the data partner secured for 2026, the fourth annual report will be launched in the summer.
When available, further details of the annual report, launch and key takeaways will be shared by Ireland’s Women in Finance Charter
