Three diversity and inclusion groups – Diversity Project UK, Diversity Project Europe, and Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America – have rebranded as Inclusion in Finance.
Together, the groups represent more than 130 member firms globally, managing over €24trn of assets.
The rebrand aims to “reframe and depoliticise” the global diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) debate, with a stronger emphasis on cognitive diversity. A campaign was launched at The Diversity Project’s Annual Event in London late last year.
Helena Morrissey, UK chair of Inclusion in Finance, said the change also reflects the initiative having grown beyond the concept of a “project”.
“The world is a very different place compared with when the Diversity Project launched 10 years ago, and our ambitions and name are changing to reflect the best way to make progress going forward,” she added.
Founded in 2016 in the UK, the Diversity Project was followed by Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America in 2018 and Diversity Project Europe in 2023. While each will continue to operate regionally, Inclusion in Finance intends to provide a coordinated global approach, sharing research, programmes and best practice.
In 2025, research by professor Alex Edmans of London Business School found that, with the right leadership, cognitive diversity can enhance decision-making and outcomes – though it is not a “magic bullet” and can bring challenges if implemented superficially, according to the Cognitive Diversity in Asset Management paper.
The organisation has set five priorities for the next five years, including expanding global coordination, building leadership capability on cognitive diversity, improving representation of underrepresented groups, and introducing a new accreditation framework.
Ric van Weelden, chair of Inclusion in Finance Europe, said: “We have seen strong engagement from asset managers across the continent who recognise that gender equality, social mobility and cognitive diversity are not peripheral topics, but central to long-term competitiveness.”
