Wealth management trade association PIMFA will hold its first Women’s Symposium over two days at a hotel near Heathrow in April.

It said it will be dedicated to the investment management, financial advice, planning and wealth management communities.

Liz Field, chief executive of PIMFA, said: “Many of the topics under discussion will focus on the issues that women face in the wealth management industry, whether they are consumers or work in the industry themselves.”

She added that despite its name, the Women’s Symposium would not be an exclusively female event.

She said: “Everyone is welcome to attend, and we are particularly keen that male allies attend the event as well.”

She said the event will create a safe space for professionals to network, learn and share best practice from across their professional world.

The summit will be held at the Radisson RED Heathrow Hotel and will cover topics such as personal development, investment trends, and practice management.

Speakers will include Michele Golunska, managing director of Aviva, Rebecca Owers, head of investments-wealth & insurance UK at HSBC UK, Helen Morrissey, London sales director at Quilter Cheviot and Nike Trost, head of asset management and pensions policy at the Financial Conduct Authority.

The symposium is free to attend for PIMFA members and associate members, thanks to support of partners including SEI, Quilter Cheviot, Raymond James, RBC and Brewin Dolphin and Sarasin. Registration is now open for the two day event.

PIMFA has negotiated a preferential room rate with the venue and will be providing catering and childcare facilities at the event to allow colleagues from all walks to life to attend.

Liz Field said: “The Women’s Symposium builds on the work that PIMFA has undertaken to promote diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the industry. I’m really looking forward to hearing from the many speakers that have already confirmed their attendance.”

PIMFA has created various female-focused initiatives such its long-standing Women in Wealth Forum, the Authentic Leadership Programme and its Career Masterclasses. In May 2021 it also launched its first ever Diversity & Inclusion Awards to recognise firms developing positive and inclusive cultures.