For member firms
Why your firm should be involved
Retain high-potential diverse talent
Ethnically diverse professionals at senior levels are often flight risks if they don’t see a clear path to ExCo within their firm. Active sponsorship signals investment in their progression and significantly increases retention likelihood.
Develop your ExCo pipeline
This programme positions participants as board-ready candidates. They return with strategic positioning, executive presence, and cross-firm networks. They are better equipped to take on senior leadership roles within your organisation.
Contribute to sector-wide change.
The industry benefits when ExCo succession planning becomes less homogeneous and more reflective of the talent available. This programme is part of that change.
What participation looks like
You nominate a candidate
A senior ethnically diverse professional ready for ExCo transition. They must be available for the full programme.
You provide an ExCo member as sponsor
A sitting ExCo member from your firm who commits to actively championing the participant’s progression.
The sponsor ensures the participant is visible in succession discussions, makes introductions to senior stakeholders, flags them for high-impact opportunities, and champions their capability in internal discussions.
The firm's commitment
Candidate commitment:
Your nominated candidate must meet the eligibility criteria (see Application Information page) and be available for the full programme.
Sponsor commitment:
Your ExCo member commits to:
- (At least) Four quarterly meetings with the participant (1 hour each).
- In-person programme events.
- Three virtual workshops equipping sponsors with the tools and guidance to make their sponsorship as impactful as possible (90 minutes each).
- Active advocacy: ensuring the participant is visible in leadership discussions, making introductions, championing their progression.
The time commitment for the sponsor is approximately 18-20 hours over 10 months (including meetings, prep, in-person events, and ad hoc advocacy actions). This averages to 2 hours per month. We strongly encourage sponsorship to continue beyond the programme, though we appreciate that this will be at the sponsor’s discretion.
Support for sponsors:
The programme kick-off includes a dedicated sponsor briefing covering what effective sponsorship looks like and how to navigate common challenges. Sponsors have access to the Elevate programme team throughout.
Nomination
Full guidance, application form questions, and nomination form available on the Application Information page.
Questions?
Contact Emma Smit-Hamilton on emma@inclusioninfinance.com