Women's empowerment and development will be the focus for a conference held by HSBC Bermuda at the Harbourview Centre today.

The Women's Development Association (WDA) of HSBC Bank Bermuda Ltd. hosted its second annual Women's Development Conference, open to HSBC staff in Bermuda.

The conference will include development workshops in networking, effective communication, investing and budgeting, and work/life balance, as well as one-on-one coaching sessions.

A panel discussion, hosted by Dawnelle Walker, senior manager, learning and development, at HSBC Bermuda and chairman of the WDA, will feature prominent business women from the local community and senior bank managers.

The panellists for this year's event include Gita Blakeney-Saltus, founder and co-owner of Flowers by GiMi, and regional vice-president, Caron Bermuda on networking advice.

Martha Dismont, executive director of the Family Centre will present on work/life balance, while Laurie Orchard, vice-president of operations at XL Re Ltd. will talk about skills of an effective leader.

Todd Wilcox, head of personal financial services, HSBC Bermuda, and Lincoln Fritz, acting head of payments and cash management, HSBC Bermuda, will offer tips for women on how to be successful in a male dominated environment and the benefits of employing a diverse staff. Five female staff will also be profiled at the conference and recognised for their outstanding performance at work and/or for their significant volunteer involvement in the community.

Philip Butterfield, CEO of HSBC Bermuda, said: "At HSBC in Bermuda, our female employees continue to represent the majority of our workforce (73 percent). The workshops and other activities that our employees will participate in today will enrich and empower them both personally and professionally.

"We understand the importance of enhancing the professional skills of all of our employees, and we value the significant contribution of the women who work for and with us."