Men take two-thirds of speaker slots at finance conferences

Study of 743 speaker slots across 13 events finds women remain underrepresented, with just three conferences approaching parity

Men account for two-thirds of speaker slots at major finance industry conferences, according to new analysis by speaker agency Pomona Partners.

The study examined 743 speaker slots across 13 finance events. Women accounted for 248 slots (33.4%), compared with 495 (66.6%) for men.

Three events stood out for their higher proportion of female speakers: Money20/20 Europe at 42.6%, FinTech Connect at 42.4% and Open Banking Expo at 40.0%. While none reached parity, their results show that a more balanced programme is achievable.

The findings put speaker selection firmly in the spotlight, highlighting the opportunity for organisers to draw on a broader range of expertise when shaping conference agendas.

Sam Shaw, financial journalist and Pomona Partners speaker, said: “Visibility and representation are absolutely crucial, especially in sectors – like finance – that have long been seen as ‘male-dominated’. Women make up half the population, are expected to control more of our wealth and – though progress is slow – are gaining a greater share of voice in boardrooms. The events circuit ought to reflect that direction of travel.

“Hearing from people with different experiences can offer a fresh perspective and hopefully inspire the next generation. Seeing more women on stages might encourage younger females working in finance to put themselves forward or raise their own profile.”

Katharine McNamara, from Pomona Partners, said: “Conference stages help shape the conversations that matter in finance. When men occupy two-thirds of speaker slots, we need to ask whose expertise and perspectives are being missed.

“Several events in this analysis show that a more balanced line-up is within reach. That means looking beyond familiar names, widening speaker searches and making representation part of programme planning from the outset. There is no shortage of women with valuable expertise to contribute.

“We’re calling on conference organisers to review the balance of their speaker programmes and broaden how they source contributors.”

Pomona Partners will continue its ongoing campaign to monitor and advocate for improved gender balance, providing data-driven insights and connecting conference organisers with an extensive network of diverse and expert speakers.