The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2025

We are delighted to be recognised as one of only 50 companies that made this year’s The Times Top 50 for Gender Equality 2025, run and verified by Business in the Community.

The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality is the UK’s most highly profiled and well-established listing of employers taking action to create workplaces where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive.

The list recognises and celebrates organisations that champion greater gender equality at work and can demonstrate progress towards creating more fair and equitable workplaces.  

Close Brothers along with other applicants were examined on the policies and cultural interventions put in place to ensure gender equality, including addressing pay disparities, ensuring progression, offering flexible working and family friendly policies and tackling sexual harassment.

Kieran Harding, Acting Chief Executive of Business in the Community, commented: 

“The businesses that have made it into this year’s Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality demonstrates those that are holding fast to their values around equality. 

It is imperative for employers to eradicate gender inequality in the workplace, not only because it is the right thing to do, but it will also unlock economic benefits for businesses and ‘lift up’ the UK. While there is still much work to be done, the progress being made to ensure equal pay, career progression and offering enhanced flexible working and family friendly policies shows that we’re on the right path.”

Phil Hooper, Executive Sponsor for the Gender Balance Network, commented:

“We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to improving gender equality within Close Brothers.

This achievement reflects our belief that diversity drives innovation, strengthens teams and creates a more inclusive workplace for everyone. 

Having two daughters myself, it’s great to be able to play a role in creating a level playing field for the next generation.

A big thank you to all those that have contributed.”

Elizabeth Martine, Chair of the Gender Balance Network, commented:

“We’re incredibly proud to be named one of the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality. It reflects our commitment to building a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

Our Gender Balance Network alongside our Menoforum and Professional Women of Colour working groups have been key to driving progress in gender equality. And our “Women In” groups across our business areas are helping embed change in specific industries.

The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality recognition supports that we’re heading in the right direction. We’re proud of how far we’ve come and even more excited for what’s ahead.”

Find out more about The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality here.

About Business in the Community

Business in the Community is the UK’s largest and most influential responsible business network dedicated to building a fairer and greener world together, supported by His Majesty the King for over 40 years. We inspire, engage and challenge purposeful leaders to take practical action to mobilise their collective strength as a force for good in society.

_{Date: 24 June 2025}