Mark is responsible for the execution of Columbia Threadneedle’s “Gender Action Plan”, a plan which aims to drive improvement in gender balance across the business through a combination of advocacy, training and development, new recruitment policies and flexible working guidelines and support. Mark personally act as a mentor to the female graduates that he hires in the Investments team through Columbia Threadneedle’s partnership with Investment 2020. This early intervention in their careers provides them with the necessary platform and support to set them up for success and opens up a range of opportunities to gain knowledge and experience.