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The first funding fund aimed toward encouraging gender variety amongst UK corporations has been launched by Legal and General Investment Management (LGIM).
The L&G Future World Gender in Leadership UK Index Fund (GIRL) will favour shares in corporations which have the perfect file on gender variety.
It will rating and rank companies in accordance to 4 completely different measures, together with girls on the board.
Only one of many UK's largest 350 corporations achieved full marks for variety.
Renewables Infrastructure Group, the funding specialist, achieved a high rating of 100 for the variety of girls on its board, amongst its executives, in administration and in the workforce.
Companies are anticipated to attain a minimal of 30% illustration of girls in these 4 measures, mentioned LGIM.
Other companies in the index, which was devised by LGIM, to rating 85 or above have been Merlin Entertainments, data firm Ascential, JD Williams-owner N Brown, Next and Marks & Spencer.
LGIM mentioned the fund was anticipated to "raise gender diversity standards in companies across the UK equity market, by allocating more to companies that have achieved higher levels of gender diversity".
"The fund aims to empower investors to make a difference to the companies in which they invest and wider society," it added.
Helena Morrissey, head of non-public investing at LGIM, "Gender inequality is likely one of the key problems with our timeand one which generates a lot frustration.
"Rather than feeling trapped or despondent, let's do one thing about it. I am excited in regards to the launch of the GIRL Fund, which empowers us all to use our cash to assist companies to progress.
"When we invest in the success of women, we are investing in the success of business. Collectively, we can help achieve gender equality and improve gender diversity in the UK," she added.
LGIM will put £50m of its personal cash into the fund, which shall be open to each institutional and retail buyers.