As we strengthen diversity internally, we are also doing more to improve the diversity – in its broadest sense – of our external engagement with market participants. A key part of my team’s role is to act as the Bank’s ‘eyes and ears’ in the financial markets: gathering the best possible intelligence on market developments to support the decisions of our Monetary and Financial Policy Committees. As those markets evolve, so too we must adapt and change those we engage with to keep our finger on the pulse. Different and broader types of firm, using different technology. Different people within firms, as those who matter for decision making change. And a different and more open style to that engagement, more open to challenge and different perspectives on what makes markets tick. Just as embracing diversity is no longer a choice for success in your business, so it is no longer a choice for us in ours. Unless we ensure we are speaking to a broad, diverse set of market participants who are truly reflective of the diversity in the market, and feeding that input into our policy decisions, we will not be doing our job. 18  https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/speech/2019/mark-carney-women-in-banking-and-finance-22nd-annual-awards 9  All speeches are available online at www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/Pages/speeches/default.aspx  9  To deliver on that goal, we are working with a wide range of financial market stakeholders and external networking organisations.
Above and below the micro-chip image are green metallic sunflower shapes, and on the back of the note, a red foil patch containing the letters “AT” is based on the image of a sunflower head. These sunflower images reflect Turing’s ground breaking morphogenetic work. This new branch of developmental biology which Turing pioneered, was the study of algorithms underpinning the formation of patterns in nature. The way a leopard’s spots develop into patterns, or the way the seed heads on a sunflower spiral. Turing found a way to predict these using maths. Here, also, we see him laying the foundations for a new scientific field. His contributions to Britain’s war effort and its scientific status, make the circumstances of his own death all the more poignant. Though guarded about his private life, Turing’s sexual orientation wasn’t a complete secret at the time. He was arrested under indecency laws in 1952, after the police learned of his relationship with another man. The tragic events surrounding this arrest would eventually lead to Turing taking his own life, at the age of just 41. In 2017 the Turing Law was passed in memory of Alan, pardoning all men who, like him, were convicted based on their sexuality. Another legacy for which Alan Turing can be remembered. The Turing £ completes our family of polymer banknotes, which already include the £ £ and £ pound notes. These polymer notes are more secure than their paper predecessor, and I'm very pleased that we have made this important transition.