Senior Financial Roles in Hong Kong Near Gender Parity
Women currently occupy nearly half of senior roles in Hong Kong’s financial sector, according to a recent report, as the result of regulatory, societal and organizational advancements.
Women now hold 45 percent of senior leadership positions in Hong Kong’s financial sector, according to a report jointly produced by the Women Chief Executives (WCE) Hong Kong, KPMG, and The Women’s Foundation. Senior leadership is defined as CEO, managing directors and all employees three reporting levels below. 37 percent of board director positions are also occupied by women with both figures marking double-digit increases since 2018.
Compared to other international financial centers, Hong Kong was ranked as the top for «visible societal acceptance of women breaking the glass ceiling, crediting societal infrastructure as a key enabler for career continuity».
70 percent of female respondents said they feel encouraged to lead with just 15 percent experiencing gender bias from male colleagues. 76 percent also highlighted the city's safety as a key factor supporting career progression.
Regulation and Organizational Progress
In addition to societal drivers, the report also cites regulation and organizational progress as key factors.
On regulation, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing introduced a reform to eliminate all single-gender boards by 2025 and require annual gender reporting at senior leadership and workforce levels.
On developments in the organization, 76 percent of women see visible female leadership as «the most influential workplace enabler for career progression» and 72 percent also claim that female role models in leadership are becoming increasingly common.
Mid-Career Women
Despite nearly achieving parity at the top, the report said that more can be done for mid-career women with 59 percent feeling encouraged to take on leadership roles, compared to 77 percent at the entry level and 68 percent at the senior level.
Suggestions include normalizing and championing flexibility for caregivers, regularly evaluating leave policies such as parental and carer’s leave, supplemental services like mental health support and implementing structured re-entry programmes for those returning from career breaks.
«One of Hong Kong’s strengths lies in the supportive environment it fosters – one that encourages entrepreneurship and pragmatism. Diversity here feels organic, not imposed, and women benefit from a broad culture of encouragement that empowers them to lead with confidence and authenticity,» said Amy Lo, UBS’ Asia wealth chair as well as co-organizer of the WCE Summit and co-lead of WCE Advocacy Workstream.
