Insight by... Amy Hepburn — Chief Executive Officer of Investor Leadership Network “Inclusion is critical – it’s not just aboutThe investment industry has so numbers and checking the boxes. much power and ability to influence You can be diverse without being society that it has been the missing inclusive, but you cannot be inclusive piece of the jigsaw in terms of without being diverse. We must create gender inclusion and diversity. a culture in investment where women Without the investment community, can see themselves not just succeeding success will be much more difficult but staying and building a career. to achieve because they can have I always say to young women, such a big influence on so many ‘you are your greatest asset and companies – the entire private sector. your strongest advocate. Don’t ask for But it won’t happen unless they permission to be successful – your have already embraced these talent and drive are your permission’. principles themselves.” Ardian joined the Investor Leadership Network in 2019 to help push for increased workplace diversity. The Millennial Executive Committee helps to shape Ardian’s remote working policy Ardian’s Millennial Executive Committee – made up of 15 staff under the age of 35 from all parts of the company – has closely supported our HR and IT teams to help draw up Ardian’s remote working policy applicable to all offices, building on employees’ experience during lockdowns. The Millennial Executive Committee, which focuses on areas including talent retention, culture, reputation and social impact, aimed to support the Executive Committee in making Ardian more attractive to potential recruits by retaining the best aspects of remote working and marrying them with the company’s existing culture. All staff now receive an annual allowance of home-working days. Ardian Women’s Club provides a strong support network The Ardian Women’s Club was launched in May 2018 in Paris with three aims: to empower, connect and inspire the company’s female employees. The club now has members based in all Ardian offices. Through the club, Ardian women have developed a mutual support network and a community for sharing experience and knowledge. The club also aims to promote the private investment industry as a career choice for women. It offers members various kinds of support and advice, including a mentoring system that is now providing one-year, one-to-one pogams or more tan 40 club members. e mentoring pogramas recently been exended to cover topics such as career development, management, empowerment and work-life balance. 2020 ACTIVITY REPORT 25