Rationale and Progress Together: Joint release

Created as a result of a Government-commissioned taskforce, Progress Together works with members in the financial services sector to improve socio-economic diversity at the senior and executive levels.

Using an evidence-based approach, Progress Together works across the UK to drive engagement from boards and senior management through education, addressing knowledge and awareness gaps within the sector and collecting data to measure the real impact of socio-economic diversity on various business objectives. These results inform actionable toolkits and guidance on practice and policy changes that organisations can implement.

As a certified B Corp, Rationale’s mission has been to create impact since its inception. While delivering on impact for its clients through strategic branding, campaigns and content, there is also an intentional focus on the business’ impact from an ambitious net zero target and a commitment to donate 5% of billable hours to charitable organisations.

“We have always placed investing in our people at the forefront of Rationale’s vision as an accredited BCorp, Living Wage employer and Great Place To Work. Working with clients to strategically communicate ESG goals to customers and developing employer brands to engage employees with organisational initiatives, we’re excited to support Progress Together.

In partnership, we’re looking forward to influencing tangible change in the financial services sector by supporting success for individuals, organisations and the economy – regardless of socio-economic status – and influencing tangible change in policy, practice and culture.”

– Rowan Morrison, Co-MD, Rationale

Working with clients to build out their ESG communications strategies to maximise internal buy-in and engagement, Rationale has seen firsthand the tangible effects of prioritising socio-economic diversity from an employer and customer brand perspective – to enhance talent recruitment, public perception, change management and business productivity.

With a strong client base in financial services, Rationale has chosen to partner with Progress Together to further support the industry. By improving socio-economic diversity, the two entities hope to catalyse productivity, creativity and innovation to improve business and consumer outcomes, diverse decision making and better talent retention.

“By becoming an official Progress Together supporter, Rationale demonstrates a commitment to working with us to drive socio-economic diversity at senior levels in financial services.

Progress Together’s new data report, Shaping the Sector, reveals that the proportion of those working in senior roles in UK financial services from a lower socio-economic background has increased from 26% in 2023 to 28% in 2024. It’s a good start but there’s still a long way to go.

By working with our members and supporters, such as Rationale, we can make workplaces more inclusive for people from all backgrounds, based on job performance and not where they started out in life. This is good for individuals, businesses and the economy.”

– Sophie Hulm, CEO, Progress Together

Read Progress Together’s 2024 Impact Report here and annual data report here.
Read Rationale’s most recent Impact Report here.