Closing the gap: Accelerate action

On 7 March, Euronext Brussels, in collaboration with key partners, celebrated International Women’s Day with a morning of inspiration, open dialogue, and action.

The event began with a celebratory bell ringing as part of the global Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative, setting the stage for a powerful discussion on advancing gender equality. This was followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring Sabine Caudron (Managing Director, Degroof Petercam), Geert Cleuren (CEO, KBC Securities), and Claire Munck (CEO, Be Angels), who shared their insights on Euronext’s theme for this year: Closing the gap: Accelerate action.

Bringing together industry leaders and changemakers, the event reinforced the commitment to driving meaningful progress toward a more inclusive future.

On 7 March, Euronext marked International Women’s Day in Denmark with a local Town Hall, opened by a colleague and joined by Pierre Davoust, Head of CSDs, who provided a brief introduction and addressed attendees.

The event continued with a panel discussion featuring four colleagues who shared insights into their career journeys, key experiences, and perspectives on balancing private and professional life. They also discussed the challenges and opportunities in closing the gender equality gap and shared their outlook for the future.

The morning concluded with a delicious brunch, featuring traditional Danish cakes of the month, fostering further discussion and networking.

On 7 March, to mark International Women’s Day, Euronext Paris and Women in ETFs hosted a special market opening bell ceremony, followed by an engaging morning of discussions and networking.

The event brought together industry professionals in an interactive format designed to foster meaningful exchanges. Speakers led small group discussions, sharing their career journeys, industry insights, and perspectives on the sector. Participants rotated between discussions, creating a dynamic and engaging experience.

This initiative celebrated women in finance and reinforced the importance of diversity within the industry.

On 6 March, Euronext Dublin, in collaboration with Women in ETFs, hosted a special lunch event to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The gathering featured a keynote address by Katie Walton Jones from Invesco, who shared her insights on advancing gender equality in the financial sector.

The event provided an opportunity for networking, learning, and reflecting on the progress made toward a more inclusive industry. Attendees engaged with thought leaders and peers in discussions on key topics surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion.

On 7 March, UN Global Compact Network Italy, Borsa Italiana, and Women in ETFs joined forces to host the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality – Closing the Gap: Accelerate Action event in celebration of International Women’s Day.

The event featured keynotes, corporate testimonials, and discussions on mentoring and talent development, all focused on advancing gender equality and driving meaningful action within the financial industry.

It was streamed live on the UN Global Compact Network Italy YouTube channel, allowing a global audience to participate and engage in the conversation.

On 7 March 2025, Euronext Amsterdam, in collaboration with partners including UN Women Nederland, UN Global Compact NL, and other industry leaders, hosted a day of inspiration and action. The event began with the Opening Gong Ceremony as part of the global 11th edition of the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative, followed by a networking breakfast. The morning featured impactful sessions, including a keynote by political scientist and US expert Raymond Mens, along with panels and discussions on accelerating gender equality in the financial sector and beyond. Industry leaders such as Sabine van Hooijdonk (CHRO, Koninklijke BAM), Ben van Stekelenburg (CHRO, IMCD), Karin van Baardwijk (CEO, Robeco), and Caroline Holtgrefe (SER Topvrouwen Lead) shared their insights.

The day concluded with a networking lunch, offering attendees the opportunity to connect and share ideas with fellow changemakers.

On 7 March, Euronext Norway kicked off the day with a breakfast seminar featuring Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer, CEO of Telenor, who shared insights from her inspiring journey.

During lunch, a Ring the Bell ceremony was hosted, accompanied by themed catering.

Additionally, in partnership with Nordea, a women’s network event was planned for later in March. This event built on the successful platform launched at the stock exchange in 2024, providing an opportunity for women in capital markets to connect and engage in meaningful discussions.

On 8 March, the Geek Girls Portugal Workshop was held as an inspiring event dedicated to empowering women in technology. The session featured insights from Euronext speakers Isabel Ucha, Ana Soares, Maria João Albuquerque, and Sofia Nogueira, along with a showcase of Euronext’s technologies and career opportunities.

The closing speech was delivered by Mihwa Park, the coordinator of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Secretariat. Mihwa’s pivotal role in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in the private sector globally made her inspiring remarks the perfect conclusion to the event.

Aligned with the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative, the workshop provided a platform for learning, networking, and fostering gender equality in tech. The event concluded with a networking lunch, offering valuable connections with industry professionals.

On 4 March 2025, Euronext London hosted its first-ever bell ringing ceremony in honour of International Women’s Day, as part of the 11th global edition of the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative. The ceremony was led by Simon Gallagher, CEO of Euronext London.

Following the ceremony, a networking breakfast took place, providing an opportunity to connect, reflect, and celebrate the progress made toward gender equality in finance and beyond.

It was a significant moment of celebration and commitment to advancing gender equality.

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