30 October 2025
The Personal Investment Management & Financial Advice Association (PIMFA) and leaders across its member firms reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and forward-thinking industry culture during a roundtable event last week.
Speaking at the event PIMFA Chairman, The Rt Hon Lord Deben said: “An inclusive culture isn’t just an optional ‘add-on’, it is an essential business imperative and a critical building block for our industry’s talent, growth, and long-term success.”
‘A truly effective organisation must draw on a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds to meet the complex challenges of today’s world, and success depends on recognising and embracing difference – not as a checkbox exercise, but as a source of innovation, understanding and resilience.”
In their discussion, participants at the roundtable underscored that inclusion goes far beyond representation, reinforcing that it is about valuing every individual, ensuring that all are held to the same standards of excellence, and cultivating an environment where openness to others’ experiences is both expected and celebrated.
“Inclusivity doesn’t mean asking less of some people, or treating expectations differently,” said PIMFA Chairman, The Rt Hon Lord Deben, “it means ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute, to be heard, and to succeed – even when their voices, language, or perspectives may differ from our own.”
Recognising the importance of culture and inclusion in driving sustainable business performance, PIMFA are pleased to announce submissions are now open for their 2026 Culture & Inclusion Awards which exist to celebrate organisations and individuals who are leading the way in building inclusive workplaces across the industry.
PIMFA Chief Executive, Liz Field said: “Our award submissions are now open and offer a valuable opportunity for firms to share best practice and provide inspiration to their peers – no matter at what point in the journey, or the scale of their operation, they may be.
‘As the trade association representing wealth managers and financial advisers and planners across the UK, we want businesses to thrive – and that means being inclusive, open, and reflective of the world around us.
‘We are proud to build on the strong progress already achieved across many dimensions of inclusion, while continuing to innovate, evolve, and shape a brighter and inspiring future for our members and the wider industry.
‘Our awards highlight outstanding achievements in belonging, accessibility, and inclusive leadership, and showcase an industry that values people and their talent as its greatest strength to drive creativity, growth, and long-term business success.”
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Notes to Editors
About PIMFA
PIMFA (the Personal Investment Management & Financial Advice Association) is the trade association for firms that provide wealth management, investment services, and financial advice and planning to everyone from individuals and families to charities, pension funds, trusts and companies.
The sector currently looks after £1.65 trillion in private savings and investments and employs over 63,000 people.
PIMFA represents both full and associate member firms. Full members provide a range of financial solutions, including wealth management, financial advice and planning, as well as investment and execution services. They assist everyone from individuals and families to charities, pension funds, trusts and companies. Associate members provide professional services to the PIMFA community.
PIMFA leads the debate on policy and regulatory recommendations to ensure that the UK remains a global centre of excellence in the wealth management, investment advice and financial planning arena. Our mission is to help create a UK culture of thriving financial health through constructive advocacy, fostering connections, and providing practical support.
PIMFA was established in 2017 as a result of the merger between the Association of Professional Financial Advisers (APFA) and the Wealth Management Association (WMA), which has a history as a trade association dating back to 1991.
Further information can be found at pimfa.co.uk