Patchwork
The strength of any business starts with its people. At Rathbones Asset Management, we are building a culture where different backgrounds, perspectives and ways of thinking are valued - not as an initiative, but as a fundamental part of how we operate. We believe that teams who feel supported, heard and able to challenge one another produce better outcomes for clients.
We are honest about the fact that the asset management industry has work to do in this space, and we want to be part of driving that change - starting with our own business. Turning that ambition into practice requires structure, accountability, and a willingness to openly measure ourselves.
In 2023, we established Patchwork, a dedicated and voluntary working group within Rathbones Asset Management, with representation from across the business to drive this forward.
Who we are
Patchwork was set up to help maintain and strengthen the culture of the business, by creating an environment where people can be themselves, where development opportunities are equitable, and where how we recruit, retain and promote people reflects the standards we set for ourselves. The group looks at both the human and commercial side of things, as we recognise they go hand in hand.
Since inception, the group has:
- Conducted employee feedback analysis to identify both strengths and areas for improvement
- Strengthened gender and diversity data collection
- Introduced ongoing education and manager training programs
- Launched a firm wide mentoring scheme, connecting colleagues across different areas of the business to support development and knowledge sharing
- Produced a series of staff led videos, sharing personal experiences on topics such as addiction, workplace ‘banter’, and returning from parental leave
We are proud to be part of Inclusion in Finance and City Hive, working alongside peers in the industry to share practices, raise standards and hold ourselves accountable.
We also believe in being transparent with our progress, with our clients as much as ourselves. For us that means being open about where we are, what we’re doing and how far we still have to go.
This is ongoing work. We are focused on building a culture that is genuinely inclusive – not just in policy, but in how people experience working here every day.
Our 2026 priorities
Here is what Patchwork is working on in 2026.
- Graduate Scheme: our newly launched Graduate Scheme begins in September 2026
- Apprenticeships: we are actively exploring the feasibility of introducing an apprenticeship pathway
- Training: we will continue to roll out culture and inclusion training across all levels
- Mentoring: our mentoring scheme continues into 2026, with 12 pairs across the business this year
- RFP responses: we are committed to continuously improving the quality and depth of our responses to data requests on gender pay and diversity
- Closing data gaps: we are working to address missing data points when it comes to gender and diversity
- Recruitment: we are focused on ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and unbiased
Why the name Patchwork?
We chose the name Patchwork to reflect a simple idea: our organisation is made up of people with different experiences, perspectives and strengths, and that diversity is what makes it work. Like a patchwork quilt, the value comes from how those individual pieces fit together — not by being the same, but by contributing something distinct to a shared whole. The name is a reminder that inclusion isn’t about smoothing over differences, but using them well.
Our partnerships
ACT
We are proud to be a member of ACT, a global network spanning the UK, North America and Europe, working to reshape the finance industry. The initiative focuses on inclusion and cognitive diversity as key drivers of better decision-making and long-term business success.
Inclusion in Finance
We are proud to be a member of Inclusion in Finance, a global network spanning the UK, North America and Europe, working to reshape the finance industry. The initiative focuses on inclusion and cognitive diversity as key drivers of better decision-making and long-term business success.