Equifax, the consumer and business insights expert, has become the first credit reference agency (CRA) to sign the Women in Finance Charter.

HM Treasury has today announced that the total number of charter signatories is now 272. The charter asks financial services companies to commit to actions to prepare their female talent for leadership positions, in order to build a more balanced, diverse and fair industry.

Signing the charter, Equifax pledges to promote gender diversity by:

• Having senior executive sponsorship and leadership, with responsibility and accountability for gender diversity and inclusion
• Setting internal targets for gender diversity in senior management positions
• Publishing progress annually against these targets
• Working to ensure the pay of senior executives is linked to delivery against these internal targets

John Garside, HR Director – Europe at Equifax Ltd, says: “A diverse, balanced workforce is good for our team, our customers, and our long term business development. We want Equifax to be a company that attracts talented people and provides the right environment for them to thrive, develop and reach senior roles in our business. We’re committed to being open, transparent and importantly accountable in our equality and diversity approach. Signing the charter is an important part of our people strategy and reinforces our drive to make Equifax an employer of choice.”