First firm to launch forum to support aspiring women in institutional investor market

The Institutional Investor Forum which is part of the A&O Gender Equality Network, will offer a series of virtual and in-person events and networking opportunities for women based in financial centres across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

“Our vision is to create a platform for women to share knowledge, network, and find mentoring opportunities,” comments lead partner for the Forum, MaameYaa Kwafo-Akoto. 

“At A&O, we regularly advise on significant and strategic projects for a number of high-profile institutional investors. We understand the important role that women play in these organisations and in an industry where only around one-fifth* of senior positions are occupied by females, we want to help talented and ambitious women progress by giving them the confidence to be decision-makers, the ability to thrive in male dominated industries, and ultimately help them to reach personal goals. We really do want to play a part in improving these statistics.”

Benefits of the forum include practical advice by industry-leading coaches; panel discussions on female advancement; dinners and networking; round-table discussions; mentoring and discussions on talent management. It is available to women at a range of institutional investor organisations including asset managers, development finance institutions, family offices, foundations, government agencies, institutional banks, insurance companies and pension and sovereign wealth funds, all in the public or private sector.

As part of A&O’s commitment to supporting an All In culture that drives diversity and inclusion, playing a new role for clients that complements their commercial objectives and recognises the importance of their values, specifically around diversity and inclusion, is incredibly important. 

MaameYaa concludes, “We are excited to play a leading role in this space and to support all women with the opportunities they need for career development, regardless of whether you know us or instruct A&O, because it’s the right thing to do.”

For more information on how to join the Institutional Investor Forum, please contact InstitutionalInvestorForum@allenovery.com. 

*The Prequin Impact Report shows that women are more likely to be employed by smaller asset managers than large ones, especially at the senior level. More than one-fifth (21.6%) of senior employees at institutions with less than USD1bn in assets are women, compared with 16.4% at a firm with assets exceeding USD100bn.