HSBC has recently launched its first "Women's Networking Forum" for its female employees across the Middle East. The forum is designed to support HSBC's gender diversity strategy to increase the representation of women at a senior management level within the organisation.
Andrew Long, Deputy Chairman and CEO of HSBC Bank Egypt said: "At HSBC Bank Egypt, we have a strong commitment towards diversity as an essential part of any successful business. Our female employees constitute 33.5% of our total population and 49% of our successful top executives are women. We value female talents and we empower them to grow whilst maintaining a work - life balance. I am proud to be part of an organisation that truly respects diversity and values the important role of all its employees to grow its business."
The Women's Networking Forum gives HSBC's female staff an opportunity to focus on their career aspirations and on the development of the skills, which will get them there. The forums includes sessions focusing on "Speed Networking", "Personal Branding", "Navigating the Organisation" and "Balance: work and life outside work."
Francesca McDonagh, Regional Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management and Executive Sponsor of the HSBC Middle East Women's Network Forum, said: "After 15 years at the bank, in a number of different roles across different regions, I know from my own experience that HSBC offers tremendous employment opportunities for talented and determined women. We offer the experiences and development opportunities of an international bank, together with a stated commitment to identify, support and develop the next generation of female leaders".
Across MENA, 1 in 5 of HSBC's senior managers are woman. The goal is to improve that to 1 in 4 by the end of 2014. To support its aims in the region, HSBC has introduced a number of market leading employment policies to help women to achieve their career goals including flexible working options, improved maternity leave provision of up to 6 months, diversity awareness training for all managers and career development programmes for women.
"I know from my experience in the Middle East that there are many talented women who perhaps have not considered a role in banking. We aim to dispel any illusion that banking is a career best suited for men. At HSBC we are putting a lot of hard work behind creating a working environment which really motivates and supports women to succeed," Ms McDonagh added.
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Fast facts:
- 1 in 5 of HSBC's senior managers is a woman and the Bank's goal is to improve that to 1 in 4 by the end of 2014
- Female staff represents almost 40% of the total HSBC workforce in the Middle East and North Africa.
- 75% of HSBC's total female staff in the MENA are regional nationals.
- HSBC has 2450 employees in Egypt of which 33% are women. 43% of HSBC senior management in Egypt are women.
- Globally , HSBC has a long track record of developing women who are key players in the Financial Services Industry, with role models including:
- Irene Dorner, President and CEO of HSBC Bank USA, (named 'Most Powerful Woman in Banking and Finance' by American Banker in its special 2012 annual issue which honours high-achieving female executives);
- Naina Kidwai, Group General Manager and Country Head, HSBC India
- Ann Almeida, Group Managing Director Human Resources and Corporate Sustainability;
- Anita Fung, CEO Hong Kong;
- Helen Wong, President and CEO, HSBC China;
- Diane Reyes, Global Head of Payments and Cash Management;
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For further information please contact:
Omnia Samra
Head of Communications
HSBC Bank Egypt SAE
Tel: 202 2529 8376
Email: omniasamra@hsbc.com
HSBC Bank Egypt S A E
HSBC Bank Egypt S.A.E. was established in 1982 as Hongkong Egyptian Bank S.A.E. and adopted its present name in April 2001 following an increase in shareholding by the HSBC Group from 40% to 94.5%.
HSBC Bank Egypt S.A.E. is one of the largest multinational banks operating in Egypt, providing a comprehensive range of banking and related financial services through a network of 100 branches and outlets in prominent cities in Egypt.
© Press Release 2012
