Lemuel Lee: «Still Work to be Done» in Gender Equity
Female participation has been increasingly rising in Asia’s financial sector. However, there is still progress to be made especially with regards to leadership positions, according to BNP Paribas’ Lemuel Lee.
The financial sector has done a great amount in terms of boosting female participation, including at senior levels. In Singapore, for example, 20.8 percent of C-suite positions were held by women in 2021, according to Deloitte, marking a significant surge compared to 2 percent in 1998.
However, there is more progress to be made, according to Lemuel Lee, BNP Paribas’ head of wealth management in Hong Kong.
«[T]here is still work to be done to ensure that leadership diversity reflects the full spectrum of talent within the industry,» Lee said in a conversation with finews.asia.
Key Initiatives
Some of the key initiatives highlighted at BNP Paribas include its We LEAD program which focuses on developing the leadership capabilities of mid-career women within the bank. It is also running an APAC Sponsorship Program aimed at accelerating female talents’ readiness for upcoming senior positions.
The bank also aims to help create a balance between careers and families with flexible work arrangements and parental support frameworks.
«Our policies are designed to support all parents equally, ensuring that no one is left to choose between their career aspirations and family commitments,» Lee explained. «However, it’s undeniable that working mothers often shoulder additional caregiving responsibilities – a reality that may stem from social norms, or even from an innate sense of responsibility.»
Empowerment for All
While much work has been done to support women’s careers in finance, Lee believes that it is ultimately equal opportunities for all that will strengthen the industry.
«Women bring unique strengths to the table, which is complementary to the strengths of men. The combined strengths have been instrumental in shaping the success and resilience of the financial sector in the region By fostering an equitable and inclusive culture, we can empower all employees—regardless of gender—to aspire to and achieve leadership roles,» he added.
«As a male ally, I believe it is essential to recognize that gender equity benefits everyone – businesses, individuals, and society as a whole. By working together, we can build a financial sector that is not only diverse and inclusive but also stronger and more innovative as a result.»
