Global initiatives: UK – Women’s Leadership Programme

PwC UK has launched a new firm-wide women’s leadership programme targeted at high potential female talent. The ultimate aim of the initiative is to increase the number of women partners in the firm.

As part of the programme, senior male sponsor partners mentor high-performing females and dismantle those elements of corporate culture that work against women's progression.

Eighteen participants, who were selected by their business units and who come from the Assurance, Advisory and Tax practices, met their sponsors at a launch event in December 2009. Their sponsors are partners within the business whose role it is to coach and support the participants, but who will also work with the business units to tackle potential challenges and barriers to encourage and progress the pipeline of female talent.

The programme, which combines internal and external speakers with action learning groups, was run and tested in the Advisory practice, where results have been very promising. As a result of the initiative, PwC UK has increased its new female partner admissions in Advisory from 0% in 2006 and 2007 to 20% in 2008 and a further 25% in 2009.