At Bank of Ireland Francesca set D&I targets to achieve a 50:50 gender balance in management and leadership appointments and introduced dedicated female accelerator and development programmes . In 2021 the percentage of women represented in senior appointments was 45%, up from 38% in 2017, and by H4 2021 this figure had risen to 51%. Under Francesca’s leadership a number of initiatives were introduced including a policy whereby colleagues having a baby via a surrogate can take paid leave in line with maternity benefits; a Recruitment Charter for hiring diverse talent; and a domestic abuse leave policy providing a range of supports to colleagues who may be experiencing domestic abuse. Additionally, Bank of Ireland is the only Irish bank to proactively publish their Gender Pay Gap Report ahead of legislation, and during the pandemic colleagues unable to work due to childcare and caring commitments continued to receive a full salary.