Female representation at senior partnership level across UK hedge funds, private equity firms and other financial services partnerships has shown little progress, according to a report by Reuters citing new research from law firm Fox & Partners.
The report found that women accounted for 15.26% of partners in the sector in the year to July, a slight decline from the previous year. In total, 794 women held partner roles compared with 4,411 men.
The findings suggest the industry could see little improvement in gender diversity without meaningful changes to hiring, retention and promotion practices.
The study also highlighted that private markets firms often lag the broader financial services industry in improving gender representation at senior levels.
According to the report, the limited progress over the past two years may partly reflect growing pushback against corporate diversity and inclusion initiatives following the election of Donald Trump as US president.
The report draws on data obtained through a Freedom of Information request to the Financial Conduct Authority.
Previous research by Fox & Partners found that women held 18.6% of senior leadership positions across UK financial services firms overall, compared with roughly 15% of partners at firms structured as partnerships.
