Women who worked on London Stock Exchange's trading floor to receive awards

13 October 2023 , 09:16

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The awards will be presented during a ceremony at the Lord Mayor's residence, The Mansion House. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Eight pioneering women who were among the first to work as traders for the London Stock Exchange are set to be honoured with the Freedom of the City of London.

These trailblazers, who began their careers in the 1970s and 1980s, faced "appallingly sexist behaviour" but persevered, according to Lord Mayor Nicholas Lyons. He told PA news agency that these awards, a tradition dating back to 1237, are a small token of recognition for their tenacity and achievements.

Women were first allowed on the trading floor of the historic London Stock Exchange in March 1973. Those who were among the first to join recall facing laddish and misogynistic behaviour in an industry dominated by men.

Hilary Pearson, one of the six women who made history by becoming stockbrokers 50 years ago, reflected on her experience: "Looking back to the 1970s, when six of us 'made history' by turning up to the office on March 26 1973, working conditions were Dickensian compared to the present day."

She added: "The firm's computer occupied an entire room and there were no desktop terminals or electronic calculators. I well remember the three-day week, working by candlelight."

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Sarah Danes, who broke into the stockbroking world in 1978, shared: "As women who were not university-educated in those days, it was quite something to join an industry steeped in history and heritage mostly, of men in the 1970s and 1980s."

Julia Hoggett, LSE's chief executive and the first woman to lead the group in 2021, praised the traders for their pioneering efforts. She said their "trailblazing paved the way for women's inclusion" in the financial services sector.

She further added: "These women broke the mould and, in doing so, they broke a glass ceiling that many, many women in the City have been able to benefit from ever since."

The awards will be presented during a ceremony at the Lord Mayor's residence, The Mansion House.

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Steve Charnock