2011 Media Releases

The business case for diversity is undeniably clear, attendees were told at last night’s Women in Banking and Finance Annual Forum hosted by Deutsche Bank.

According to the high profile panel discussion, diversity is proven to encourage innovation and discourage group thinking while companies where women are most strongly represented at board or top-management level are also the companies that perform best.  

The Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Finance and Deregulation, was the keynote speaker in a panel drawn from the corporate, art and for the first time not-for-profit sectors.

In her keynote address, the Minister outlined her thoughts on gender equity and the important role that government has to play in supporting the issue. She said government could be an advocate as well as a facilitator of change and signaled towards appointing more women to government boards as a platform to corporate boards. However, while the notion of equality was a simple idea, she said the problem remained unresolved with a need to better understand its multifaceted causes.

The Minister was joined by Dr Emma Cassar, CEO of Open Family Australia; Carolyn Hewson AO, director of BHP Billiton, BT Investment Management and Stockland; Helena Rathbone, principal second violin from the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Eileen Taylor, Global Head of Diversity at Deutsche Bank, in a lively discussion moderated by the ABC’s Adam Spencer which also covered risk taking, non-linear career paths and unconscious bias.

The panel discussed the value of a more gender-equal and productive Australia – both in the corporate and public sectors – and how broader economic challenges were making a flexible and diverse workforce an economic necessity. The event also featured a performance by Helena Rathbone on her 1759 Guadagnini violin. 

The Women in Banking and Finance Annual Forum hosted by Deutsche Bank has become a flagship event in line with Deutsche Bank’s global commitment to advancing, measuring and celebrating diversity. Now in its third year, the event continues to build on its success and doubled the number of attendees in recognition of both its quality and the increasing need to improve diversity in the workplace.

Speaking at the event, Deutsche Bank Executive Chairman John Macfarlane said, “As management teams we are constantly looking for advice, guidance and inspiration in the area of diversity in order to achieve improved outcomes. This evening represents an excellent opportunity to absorb what others have to offer.”

For further information, please contact:

Deutsche Bank AG                                           
Name: Kate Abrahams  
Phone: +61 (0) 2 8258 2416
Email: kate.abrahams@db.com