AXA IM receives global EDGE Move certification as it progresses towards a more gender-equitable workplace

AXA Investment Managers has achieved EDGE (Economic Dividends for Gender Equality) Move certification, in recognition of the significant progress towards a gender-equitable workplace.

After having achieved EDGE Assess certification in 2018, AXA IM obtained the global EDGE Move certification, the second of three existing EDGE certification levels.

EDGE is the leading global assessment and business certification for gender and intersectional equity. The certification process involves a rigorous third-party review of representation across the businesses pipeline, pay equity, effectiveness of policies and practices, and inclusiveness of an organisation’s culture. As an integral part of the assessment, statistical data is analysed, policies and practices are reviewed, and employees receive a comprehensive survey to assess perceptions of career development opportunities in the workplace.

Frédéric Clément, Global Head of Human Resources of AXA IM, said: “We are proud of this new level of EDGE certification, as we always aim to  genuinely act on our convictions and make progress towards inclusion and diversity. But we acknowledge we have to remain humble as there is of course still room for improvement, and we’ll continue to set clear and quantifiable goals. Working with EDGE will help us measure where we stand and what can be further improved to ensure equitable career flows and further develop our inclusive culture.”

Aniela Unguresan, Founder of EDGE Certified Foundation, said: “It is incredibly encouraging that AXA IM have made significant progress towards a gender-equitable workplace since the previous assessment and is now eligible for the second level of certification, EDGE Move. Reaching gender equity is a journey and as a leading ESG investor AXA IM is showing it can walk the ESG talk both as an employer and as an investor.”

EDGE is the leading global assessment and business certification for gender and intersectional equity. EDGE Certification involves a rigorous third-party review of representation across the pipeline, pay equity, effectiveness of policies and practices, and inclusiveness of an organization’s culture. As an integral part of the assessment, statistical data is analysed, policies and practices are reviewed and employees’ experiences of career development opportunities in the current workplace are accounted for. Depending on the specific results of each organization, an action plan is formulated, and firm commitments towards its implementation.

EDGE Certification meets organizations where they are in their gender balance journey (EDGE) and in their intersectional equity journey (EDGEplus) through its three levels of certification: Assess, Move and Lead. A certification at the EDGE Assess level recognizes commitment, one at the EDGE Move level showcases progress and a certification at the EDGE Lead level celebrates success in fostering gender equitable workplaces. An EDGEplus certification further recognizing its commitment to analysing intersectional issues between gender and one or several of the following additional dimensions: gender identity, race/ethnicity, LGBTQI+, working with a disability, nationality and age.

EDGE Certification is built around the independent third-party certification of data and information and is distinguished by its rigour and focus on impact granted by one of the EDGE accredited independent third-party certification bodies – SGS, Intertek or FloCert, it remains valid for a period of two years. EDGE’s current customer base consists of over 200 large organizations in 50 countries across five continents, representing 30 different industries.