Male banking headhunter described female competitor as "dodgy old bird"
However sexist the environment can be as a woman in banking - and it can be very sexist - life can be worse as a woman in banking recruitment and headhunting. Not only do female recruiters have to deal with potentially sexist male clients, but with a culture of casual sexism endemic at some recruitment firms themselves.
A case at a London employment tribunal highlighted the issues last week. In comments that were read out in court, Oliver Harrington, founder of search firm Harrington Moore was accused of texting a colleague that, "All the female headhunters that make money are bonkers," and of describing one female rival as a "dodgy old bird," who looked "like a mum and not "like a headhunter."
Sexism in the financial services recruitment industry is nothing new. Eight years ago, women in recruitment told us they faced sexism and harassment "10,000 times worse" than in banking, as young male recruiters with "huge egos" managed teams of even younger women.
Speaking off the record, one senior female headhunter, said Harrington's texts, sent in private, were the "archetype of brash arrogance." "Low tier competitors will always try to undermine you," she added. "When my competitors are strong, I acknowledge that they're good. This is coming from a place of insecurity."
A senior woman at another search firm said sexism in the recruitment industry can still be "horrific" and that it's often the male recruiters who are to blame. "Unfortunately, most recruitment firms are small entities set up by young salesmen and they tend to develop a rugby team culture," she observed.
Harrington didn't respond to a request to comment on this article. His comments emerged during an employment tribunal in which a consultant claiming to have been an employee in the London office, is complaining of unfair dismissal and unpaid wages. The texts were sent by Harrington to the consultant bringing the claim. Harrington Moore denies that the individual was an employee.