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Statement on Gender Equality and Gender Equity

EFG Hermes Statement on Gender Equality and Gender Equity

EFG Hermes is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in all its forms and work hard to incorporate conscious gender equality in how we operate. We pride ourselves on providing clear career paths and a supportive, equitable environment for women at all levels throughout the Group. From training opportunities to mentorship and inclusive policies, we create, grow and maintain a welcoming working environment where women can grow and thrive.

As an active member of the United Nations Global Compact, the Group is committed to advancing the 10 Principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) governing human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. More specifically, the Group has joined the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) established by the UNGC and UN Women to offer guidance to business on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community.

Key areas of engagement on gender equity are as follows:

Ensuring an inclusive culture

EFG Hermes values a diverse workforce and ensures its talent acquisition practices support this goal. Our job descriptions are formulated in gender-neutral language, as are our ideal candidate profiles and hiring ads. Our interviewing and selection process incorporates gender-diverse feedback, and our engagements with third party recruiters do not advocate for gender-specific short-lists.

The diversity of our candidate pool encompasses all corporate levels and extends to board members as well. We incorporate gender-based metrics in our human capital reporting, keeping an eye on gender balance in hires and promotions in order to course-correct as needed.

EFG Hermes also promotes a culture of gender equity in its talent management and talent development strategies, ensuring career advancement opportunities are gender-neutral and offering female employees an equal opportunity to that of their male counterparts. We also seek to ensure that learning opportunities targeting women-specific topics are carefully curated and attendance encouraged.

Embedding gender equality principles in policies and procedures

EFG Hermes’ belief in the importance of gender equality principles extends to its remuneration practices and benefits. The Group complies fully with all country-specific requirements for maternity and parental leaves and extends its corporate policy governing these types of leaves where the law does not mandate such leaves and acknowledges force majeure circumstances that may require additional flexibility for working parents.

EFG Hermes reviews all internal processes regularly from a gender-based lens to ensure gender equality is embedded, clearly articulated, and strictly practiced in all our business processes. Our policies are also revisited regularly and enhanced to capture any arising gender-related nuances. Our ‘Voice It’ online tool allows employees at all levels across the firm to communicate new ideas and voice complaints anonymously and discreetly. As such it provides a safe conduit for any sexual harassment complaints with all cases handled sensitively and according to strict guidelines.

Championing female leaders and creating opportunities for women

We believe that it is vital for women entering the workforce today to have strong role models who demonstrate that women can fulfil their career potential and reach the highest leadership positions. EFG Hermes prides itself on being one of very few listed companies in the Middle East with a female chairperson who has held the position since 2008. Across the Group, there are also many other examples of women in leadership positions working to advance gender parity and underlining the company’s commitment to attracting, retaining, and developing women into senior leadership positions.

Maintaining a pro-women brand image

EFG Hermes regularly evaluates its advertising and marketing content for gender bias. The Group ensures business metrics include gender-specific elements focused on tracking, growing and retaining its female client base.

EFG Hermes extends its focus on gender equality to the communities it supports. The EFG Hermes Foundation, the Group’s non-profit arm, is committed to implementing sustainable, high impact development initiatives to assist underprivileged communities in general and women in particular. Initiatives include health and education programs, income generating projects, sustainable employment opportunities, and initiatives targeting the enhancement of women-owned businesses. We also specifically seek to empower female entrepreneurs through Tanmeyah, the Group’s microenterprise division.