Application Information

• Proximity to Senior Leadership: Operating at ExCo minus one or two levels, with emerging or established strategic responsibility, and clear capability or potential to transition into C-suite or ExCo-level leadership in the coming years.

• Track record of impact: Evidence of delivering results, influencing decisions, or leading significant projects.   

• Growth mindset and ambition: A clear aspiration to progress into senior leadership, combined with openness to challenge, coaching, and continuous development.    

• Diversity lens: This inaugural cohort is for ethnically-diverse professionals, reflecting the significant underrepresentation of ethnically diverse leaders at senior levels across the investment and savings industry.  

Step 1: Express interest to your firm 
Contact your HR team or line manager to express your interest in Elevate. Your firm will run an internal selection process.  

Step 2: Complete your firm’s internal application 
Your firm will provide you with the details and timeline of the internal application process (the guidance and questions are provided below for firms to use).  

Step 3: Your firm nominates you to Inclusion in Finance 
If selected through your firm’s internal process, they will submit your nomination to us. 

Step 4: Confirmation 
We will confirm final programme places to candidates directly. 

Eligibility:

• Senior professional in Finance 

• From an ethnically diverse background 

• Career trajectory pointing towards ExCo roles 

• Employed by a Inclusion in Finance member firm (or firm willing to join) 

• Available for the full programme commitment 

• Committed to pursuing ExCo progression 

Questions about applying?
Speak to your HR team or contact Emma Smit-Hamilton on emma@inclusioninfinance.com

Step 1: Run your internal selection process 
Use the guidance and application form questions provided below to identify your candidate.   

 Step 2: Nominate one candidate 
Complete the nomination form and submit it to Inclusion in Finance. You may nominate at any time before this deadline.  

Step 3: Receive confirmation 
Once we have made the final selection, we will confirm the places to the candidates as well as the nominating person. 

Questions about the process? 
Contact Emma Smit-Hamilton at emma@inclusioninfinance.com 

Elevate is designed to accelerate the progression of senior ethnically diverse talent into ExCo roles across our industry. Your nominations are critical to ensuring the success of this initiative and creating meaningful impact.  

Key Criteria for Selecting Candidates   

• Proximity to Senior Leadership: Operating at ExCo minus one or two levels, with emerging or established strategic responsibility, and clear capability or potential to transition into C-suite or ExCo-level leadership in the coming years.   

• Track record of impact: Evidence of delivering results, influencing decisions, or leading significant projects.   

• Growth mindset and ambition: A clear aspiration to progress into senior leadership, combined with openness to challenge, coaching, and continuous development.    

• Diversity lens: This inaugural cohort is for ethnically diverse professionals, reflecting the significant underrepresentation of ethnically diverse leaders at senior levels across the investment and savings industry.  

A note on “invisible talent” The programme is explicitly designed to include candidates who are high-performing but under-visible, those who may not appear on existing succession plans despite operating at executive level. Firms are encouraged to look beyond their established leadership pipelines when identifying nominees. If a candidate meets the must-have criteria but lacks visibility or sponsorship, that is not a disqualifier. It is precisely the gap this programme exists to close.  

Each firm may nominate only one candidate. The nominee must have an internal ExCo sponsor who will actively support their career development throughout the programme.  

• Identify an ExCo member who will serve as sponsor and involve them in candidate selection.  

• Advertise the programme internally and/or identify potential candidates through existing forums and networks (e.g., talent discussions, ERGs, or relevant senior committees). 

• Invite candidates to apply with a CV and the provided application form, which includes several questions explaining why and how the programme would support their progression.   

• Conduct an initial review by a small internal panel to filter unsuitable candidates.  

• Seek feedback from line managers for additional insight and support.  

• Shortlist candidates for interviews focused on readiness, motivation, and barriers to progression.  

• Confirm ExCo sponsor commitment, including their plan to advocate for the candidate’s progression during and after the programme.  

• Hold a group discussion to decide on the successful candidate.  

• Nominate the candidate through the online nomination form . 

Note: If you identify multiple strong candidates during your internal process, consider retaining their details for future cohorts. This supports longer-term pipeline continuity and reduces sourcing effort in subsequent years.