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International Men’s Day 2025 – Virtual Event

Date: 21/11/2025
Location: Virtual Only

The 2025 theme for International Men’s Day, “Celebrating Men and Boys”, focused on recognising the valuable roles that men and boys play in families, workplaces, and communities.

In partnership with Aviva Investors, Inclusion in Finance hosted a webinar exploring the importance of supporting men in the workplace and creating more inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.

The session highlighted the strategic value of enhanced paternity leave and explored how shared parenting experiences can contribute to positive outcomes for businesses, families, and society, while supporting more equitable career progression.

The webinar also addressed modern challenges faced by men in the workplace and discussed approaches for creating environments that better support men’s mental health and wellbeing.

Agenda

Opening remarks

Fireside chat

  • Elliot Rae and Helena Morrissey
    (This part of the conversation was not recorded)

Panel discussion: Rethinking Paternity Leave for Families and Workplaces

Panel discussion: Men at Work – Redefining Strength, Success and Support

Closing remarks

Introducing the Speakers

Image of Renarta Guy

Renarta Guy - Chief People Officer at Aviva Investors

Renarta joined Aviva in June 2021 and is the Chief People Officer for Aviva Investors. She is part of the Aviva People Leadership team and the Aviva Investors Executive Team responsible for the delivery of the AI business strategy. Prior to Aviva, Renarta worked in various HR senior roles at Eversholt Rail, Credit Suisse, Citi and Ford. Renarta has an avid interest in Higher Education and has held various INED roles including at London Metropolitan University and is currently working with Manchester University’s Union of Students. Renarta lives in Hertfordshire and is kept busy with her two boys.

Image of Elliott Rae

Elliott Rae - Founder of Parenting Out Loud, Speaker, Author, Social changemaker

Elliott Rae is one of the UK’s most prominent writers and speakers on fatherhood and masculinity. Elliott created the Parenting Out Loud culture change programme which has revolutionised the national conversation about working fathers. Parenting Out Loud supports employers to build workplace cultures where dads can be loud and proud about their caring responsibilities at work. And is a thriving community for working dads who want to do things differently. In 2025, Parenting Out Loud organised the world’s first Working Dads’ Summit which marked an important moment for the de-gendered on parenting roles and kicked off a new national conversation around working dads in the UK. As an author, Elliott curated the bestselling book, DAD, and as a presenter, he fronted the seminal BBC One documentary ‘Becoming Dad’ which was one of the 20 most watched documentaries across the whole BBC network in 2022. Elliott co-hosts the popular podcast, To Be A Boy, with Joeli Brearley, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed. The podcast explores parenting, raising boys and masculinitly. To Be A Boy is one of the most listened to parenting podcasts in the UK, reaching number 1 in the Apple parenting podcast chart and number 7 in the UK Spotify all podcast charts. Elliott has written for publications such as The Independent, The Telegraph and Grazia. He frequently appears across the media, including a feature on Loose Women and regular contributions to LBC, Radio 5 Live, BBC Politics Show and BBC Radio London. Elliott has held senior Inclusion positions in large companies, most notably as the Head of DEI Delivery at HM Treasury. In 2025, Elliott was awarded a MBE from the King for his work supporting new dads and he was recognised by the United Nations and awarded the #HeForShe Change maker of the year award by UN Women UK.

Image of Helena Morrissey

Helena Morrissey - Chair, Inclusion in Finance

I am white British, went to a co-ed comprehensive school and then to Cambridge University, where I read Philosophy. I joined Schroders' graduate programme and went straight out to their New York office to learn about fixed income for two years, before returning to the London headquarters as a global bond fund manager. I joined Newton in 1994 and became CEO in 2001, stepping down in 2016. I was chair of the Investment Association from 2014 - 2017. I founded the 30% Club in 2010. I am now chair of two companies, Fidelis, a specialist insurance company listed on the NYSE and Altum Group, a fund services company based in Jersey. I also chair Eton College Endowment Fund and sit on the board of McKinsey Investment Office. I am married, my husband and I have nine children and four grandchildren.

Image of Amit Singh

Amit Singh - Global Head of Inclusion, Diversity and Engagement, AXA IM

I’m the Global Head of Inclusion, Diversity and Engagement at AXA Investment Managers, and currently also serving as the Interim Head of HR for the Asia-Pacific region. Across my career, I’ve worked in 9 countries across 3 continents, which has given me a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and the ability to lead in complex, global environments. I’m passionate about embedding inclusion into business strategy, leading transformational change, and building high-performing and purpose-driven cultures. I am married and live in London with my partner.

Image of Anthony Fitzpatrick

Anthony Fitzpatrick - Head of Colleague Experience and Employment Policy, Aviva

With nearly 30 Years as a member of the Aviva family, and having undertaken a number of roles within the HR Function. Anthony is Head of Employee Relations and Employment Policy. Anthony works collaboratively with his global colleagues on policy implementation, including Equal Parental Leave and a Global Sickness Policy. Most recently Anthony has introduced new polices dealing with Smart Working and Domestic Abuse. Anthony has a passion for diversity and inclusion being a member of the Aviva Pride network as well as working with nationally recognised LGBT+ foundations. Anthony is keen to promote how the philosophy of policy development and corporate values can drive cultural change, greater employee engagement and wellbeing along with improved customer experience.

Image of Natalie Gill

Natalie Gill - Head of Global DEI Strategy & Industry Engagement, PGIM

I am a white, British, cis-gender woman, born to an RAF pilot and a language teacher in Lincolnshire. Because of my dad’s job, I was fortunate to spend several years of my childhood living in Europe, which is where my interest in and respect of different cultures was ignited. I studied economics and business management at Newcastle University, specialising in economics of inequality and poverty, and development economics. Following a fulsome 16-year career in Investment Banking across treasury, market infrastructure relations and regulatory reform, I transitioned full-time into the DEI space in 2016. Over the last 9 years, I have held senior DEI roles at Santander UK, SMBC Group and most recently joined PGIM in 2022 as Head of DEI Strategy & Industry Engagement. Here, I’m responsible for driving the continued evolution of PGIM’s global DEI strategy, with a focus on developing global research and thought leadership, and partnering with industry bodies to effect positive change across the sector. In addition, I have regional DEI leadership responsibility for EMEA & APAC.

Image of Matthew Coe

Matthew Coe - Lead CASS Oversight Manager, Aviva Investors

I am the Lead CASS Oversight Manager at Aviva Investors, where I’ve spent the past six years responsible for the firm’s compliance with the FCA’s CASS rules; regulations designed to protect clients’ money and assets in the event of a firm’s insolvency. Before joining Aviva Investors, I held roles at SS&C and Wells Fargo after attending The Billericay School. Away from work, I’m married and a proud dad to a daughter who is fast approaching her second birthday. I made full use of Aviva Investors’ six‑month paternity leave, which gave me invaluable time to bond with my family and has shaped my perspective on the importance of parental support in the workplace.

Image of Angeliki Psarrou-Basso

Angeliki Psarrou-Basso - Director and Associate General Counsel, DWS Group

I am from Athens, Greece. I studied law at the University of Athens and hold a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Financial Law from King’s College London. I am a qualified lawyer in Athens and in England and Wales, practising financial law with a particular focus on asset management since 2012. I am Director, Associate General Counsel at DWS advising the UK alternatives fund business and have previously held similar roles at AXA Investment Managers and Vanguard. I am also a proud mum of two little girls - Thalia and Lydia - and together with my husband, Sebastian, I run a bustling multilingual, multicultural home.

Image of Ori Chandler

Ori Chandler - Group Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Aviva Investors

I lead Aviva’s DEI strategy across the UK, Ireland, and Canada—working to build a culture where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. I’ve spent years designing and delivering inclusion initiatives that make an impact, across both the private and public sectors. What really excites me is using behavioural science to drive change and bringing data and evidence into how we foster curiosity, collaboration, and connection. Before joining Aviva, I worked in DEI consultancy, partnering with organisations in financial services, tech, and law. I also served as Managing Director at INvolve, a global consultancy and network that champions diversity and inclusion in business. Outside of work, I’m mum to two wee rascals, Finn and Maisie, who keep me fill my days with happy chaos. When I get the chance to recharge, you’ll find me hiking, surfing, or hanging upside down on an aerial trapeze.

Image of Edward Raymond

Edward Raymond - Head of Portfolio Management UK, Julius Bär

Edward is responsible for Discretionary Portfolio Management in the UK and on a day to day basis, leads our extensive team of Portfolio Managers. He is also responsible for the broader Products and Services offering which takes in the Advisory side of the business as well as Wealth Planning, Structured Products, Credit and Product Governance. He is a member of the Julius Baer Global Investment Committee and chairs the UK Portfolio Construction Team. He also chairs the Product Approval Committee and has a seat on the UK Executive Committee. He joined Julius Baer via the acquisition of Merrill Lynch, where he ran the UK team. Prior to that, he was at HSBC Global Asset Management where he spent 16 years, and was Head of Investment Managers, managing a wide range of private client, trust, charitable and corporate portfolios; in addition he was a member of their stock committee where he specialised in the financial sector, with particular focus on banks. Edward is a Fellow of The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.

Image of Rhys Foulkes

Rhys Foulkes - Stewardship Analyst, Allspring Global Investments

I work in the Stewardship team at Allspring Global Investments. Here I’m focused on engaging with companies held by our equity and fixed income portfolios on sustainability issues such as climate change, governance and human rights. Prior to moving into stewardship I worked as a credit analyst for fixed income funds at Columbia Threadneedle, Wells Fargo Asset Management and First Sentier Investors, covering a variety of sectors across the capital structure. I grew up in rural Wales and attended a co-ed comprehensive school. I am married and have three children.

Image of Alex Price

Alex Price - Group Brand Expression & Design Manager, Aviva

I am a Group Brand Expression & Design Manager at Aviva, previously studying Product Design at university and going onto roles in both Graphic Design and Illustration. As a passionate creative, I love the world of art, design and brand. Having been with Aviva for three years, I have been a member of the Aviva Balance UK steer-co for two. During this time, I have supported our network to champion gender parity, spearhead events and start various inclusion initiatives for our colleagues.

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