GENDER will be removed from resumes submitted to the Bank of Queensland under a new measure aimed at boosting the number of executive women in the company’s ranks.

Concerned that there is an “unconscious bias” working against women in the selection process, the Bank of Queensland is removing all identifying factors on CVs to make sure they pick the best person for the job.

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The move will come into effect immediately for all executive roles.

Bank of Queensland chief executive Stuart Grimshaw hopes the move will help to increase the number of female executives.

“On a personal note, I have a son and two daughters and I want to create a positive change within the industry where everyone – regardless of their gender, race, age or physical ability – has the same opportunities to succeed,’’ he said.

BoQ HR general manager Ian Doyle said all identifying factors – name, age, gender, address – would be removed from resumes submitted for senior roles.

“It is a brave approach, but you can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different outcomes,’’ he said.

“Our objective is to get people making decisions on the basis of competency – not based on other factors – and we’re hoping we will get a stronger pool of females coming through.’’

Mr Grimshaw, one of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s male “champions of change”, has increased the number of women in the company’s leadership team from nine to 19 during his tenure. However, he is working towards an even gender balance.

The bank’s general manager of branches, Philippa Bartlett, 34, joined the firm 10 months ago and during that time has seen her team transition from 100 per cent male to a 50-50 gender split.

“It is important when you run a customer business that people making the decisions reflect the needs of our customers, and that of course is very gender diverse,’’ she said. “Removing names and details from CVs will remove any unconscious bias, and ensure we are picking the best team.’’

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick said the initiative was “quite revolutionary’’.

“There are a whole lot of gender-based stereotypes which are made at the time of recruitment, particularly around work and family, and this will mean it is not possible to have that unconscious bias,’’ she said.

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