WM Females in Factories campaign support grows

David Atkinson, head of SME manufacturing at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: "We are proud to be supporting the 'Females in Factories' campaign, which is at the forefront of promoting the benefits of STEM subjects and encouraging more women to consider careers in manufacturing and engineering. "Lloyds Bank has been working with the EEF for a number of years to help boost gender diversity within manufacturing businesses. While some of our recent research has indicated that the situation is improving, it is clear that much more needs to be done. The sector's ability to tackle stereotypes will help build a more diverse talent pool that will foster creativity and innovation and help maintain the nation's competitive edge. "This is also a matter close to our heart at Lloyds Banking Group. As part of our Helping Britain Prosper Plan, we've committed to better represent the diversity of our customer base and our communities at all levels which is why we are aiming to have 40 per cent of senior roles held by women in the Group by 2020." WM's Females in Factories campaign aims to recruit 50 female manufacturing champions to inspire school pupils and provide inspirational case studies of female manufacturing managers throughout 2014. It also has the backing of the Women in Manufacturing group; Professor John Perkins, chief scientific adviser, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills; Sarah Sillars, chief executive of sector skills council Semta, and broadcaster Maggie Philbin. Lloyds Bank's Helping Britain Prosper Plan provides a detailed account of its progress in 2013and its plans for the future.