Paragon Banking : 25/01/2019 | Paragon's Motor Finance supports gender balance in automotive industry

Paragon's Motor Finance has become the latest company to pledge its support to The UK Automotive 30% Club.

By becoming a member, specialist lender Paragon joins a handful of other companies from across the world of manufacturing, retailing and affiliated businesses to encourage a more inclusive industry.

The UK Automotive 30% Club aims to promote gender equality in the motor industry and works towards having women in 30% of key leadership positions by 2030. Other members include Auto Trader, Ducati, Burrows Motor Company, Group 1 Auto, Imperial and Jardine Motors Company.

Julian Rance, Motor Finance Director at Paragon, said:

Paragon takes equality and gender diversity seriously and that is why we are proud to take action to drive change by being part of The UK Automotive 30% Club.

As a company that has also signed up to the Women in Finance Charter, this reaffirms our commitment to help build a more representative and inclusive industry.

The UK Automotive 30% Club was established in early 2016 by Julia Muir, the Chief Executive of Gaia Innovation, to bring together automotive manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers.

Another ambition is to achieve the best employment destination for prospective employees' of the future, and therefore to attain the best employment outcome for women in the automotive sector.

Julia Muir, Founder of the UK Automotive 30% Club, said:

I am very pleased to welcome Paragon to the UK Automotive 30% Club. It's great to have the Motor Finance division on board working towards our shared goal of achieving a better gender balance in the automotive sector and making a commitment to aspire to fill at least 30% of key leadership positions with women by 2030.

By signing up to the Women in Finance Charter, Paragon is working towards having a 35% female representation in senior management roles across the company by January 2022. It has already exceeded its target of ensuring that half of people receiving management career development or leadership training are female and that 50% of flexible working is available on a part time basis.

25 January 2019