CONTEXT

We believe it to be self-evident that good leadership can be a profoundly positive and profoundly powerful force for good.

We also believe society is poorly served by many parts of its social, political and business ecosystems. One such ecosystem is the Financial Sector.

The Financial Sector is profoundly important to the wellbeing of society and the planet on which we all depend. And whilst the Financial Sector has many virtues and virtuous people within it, we must also acknowledge and confront its current flaws. These include but are not limited to:

• conflicts and misalignments of interest;
• short-termism;
• lack of transparency;
• hidden costs and risks;
• insufficient client-centricity;
• scams and scandals;
• ineffective regulation;
• problematice reward mechanisms;
• profit before purpose and principles mindsets
• money before morals mindsets and
• poor governance

These flaws are not de minimus; they meaningfully inhibit and even undermine the societal value of the Financial Sector.

In this context, ethical leaders are those who proactively seek to maximize the Financial Sector’s value of society whilst eliminating or at least mitigating its potential harms. Accordingly, part of our mission is to celebrate and learn from those leaders who have successfully approached and worked within the Financial Sector with a spirit of service and stewardship.