HSBC Bank Malta will become the first organisation in the country to support a new non-profit organisation, Women Directors Malta (WDM), in its objective to improve gender diversity at board level across the country.
WDM was set up to help women make the right connections and reach board level within their own organisation or to take on a non-executive board role and other board level roles in other sectors. The non-profit organisation works to cultivate a new understanding and acceptance of the strong impact women deliver at top levels.
HSBC Malta chairman Sonny Portelli, CEO Andrew Beane and WDM president Michelle Gialanze signed the agreement, which sees the Bank support various outreach campaigns and events of WDM.
Mr Portelli said: “HSBC is committed to promote improved gender diversity at board level across the country. As one of the Malta’s leading publically-listed companies, I am delighted that we already have five talented women serving as directors across our group of companies, and I look forward to welcoming more female colleagues in the future.”
Mr Beane added: “Our partner-ship with Women Directors Malta forms part of a wider commitment to diversity and inclusion across our business. I believe that diversity of thought enables better decision making and am absolutely determined to attract and develop a diverse range of colleagues in a meritocratic way throughout their careers.”
According to Ms Gialanze, a number of studies have suggested that companies with a higher share of women at top levels deliver strong organisational and financial performance.
“WDM has consistently argued that women of all backgrounds should have equal opportunity and equal access to progress to board level positions, creating a level playing field. Board appointments should be made on the basis of commercial needs, skills and ability. It also believes that there are clear business arguments for appointing women at board level,” said Ms Gialanze.
WDM was established in 2015 and organises regular meetings to advance its mission. WDM will soon be launching a charter quality mark which recognises and rewards organisations that provide diversity on boards.