Lloyds Banking Group announces a commitment to ensuring 40% of its senior roles are held by women by 2020.

Currently, 33% of those in senior Lloyds positions are women, with the group aiming to increase this to 34% by the end of the year. To address under-representation of women in senior roles, Lloyds now monitors gender diversity on its long- and short-lists for all senior management appointments and has a Women in Leadership development programme for mid-level managers.

More than 400 women have completed this programme so far, with 25% promoted since 2014. Lloyds also has a women’s network known as Breakthrough that boasts 15,000 members and 4,000 mentors. Alongside its gender diversity target, Lloyds has also set a target for increasing engagement levels among black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME); the disabled; and lesbian, gay and bisexual colleagues to 70% by 2020.

The group has already hit this target for its ethnic minority colleagues, though engagement levels are currently 65% and 64%, respectively for disabled and lesbian, gay and bisexual workers.

Commenting on the new targets, a spokesperson from Lloyds Banking Group said: “To respond to and embrace change we need to be innovative and agile as a business to help attract and create the very best talent that brings with it a rich diversity of ideas and skills.”

Today also saw the group launch its Helping Britain Prosper Plan 2017 for customers, which commits to:

• Helping people – buy their first home, plan for later life and provide support to those looking for a rewarding job.
• Helping businesses – of all types and sizes by offering them the funding and support to grow.
• Helping communities – address inequality, support disadvantage and champion Britain’s diversity.