Steve Butler: Bringing ourselves to work

“We all felt the intimacy of their stories”

clock • 4 min read

Punter Southall Aspire’s chief executive, Steve Butler, explains how the firm has addressed the challenges of diversity and inclusivity, particularly during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

"As you get older, you begin to notice the little differences in how people will treat you. As a child you can't really figure out why these things happen, then it falls into place. "The first time I was really confronted with something like that was when I was with some friends as a teenager. We went into a shop and split up, as teenagers often do, and I noticed that - wherever I was walking - there was a security guard about five paces behind me. Not my friends. Just me. And I was the only Black person in that group. "I asked my mother why that had happened when I got home, and she...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Adviser / Broking

Professional Skills: What happens to a mortgage when income stops?

Professional Skills: What happens to a mortgage when income stops?

"Everything you worked on together only holds up if their life holds up too"

Ash Borland
clock 17 April 2026 • 3 min read
PIB Group appoints chief operations officer

PIB Group appoints chief operations officer

Rob Houghton takes the role

Jaskeet Briah
clock 16 April 2026 • 1 min read
Mortgage Advice Bureau acquires HomeOwners Alliance

Mortgage Advice Bureau acquires HomeOwners Alliance

Expects earlier engagement with consumers

Jaskeet Briah
clock 14 April 2026 • 2 min read