Mark has overall accountability for improving gender diversity and inclusion in Columbia Threadneedle’s EMEA business. He is responsible for achieving the gender targets set out in their “Gender Action 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. He has made great strides in this area, with 33% of the company board, 29% of the regional Executive Committee and 29% of the investment professionals being female. Externally, Mark is a trustee of Access Sport, which aims to harness the proven power of sport to tackle social exclusion, inactivity and obesity in areas where help is most needed. He is also a trustee of LIFEbeat, which aims to improve the emotional wellbeing of young people – giving them the skills and inspiration to overcome challenges and lead confident, healthy and purposeful lives.