The story sheds light on continual debate about the extent to which firms such as banks and wealth managers should promote women to make their leadership more diverse, particularly as female holders of wealth are gaining ground generally.

One of the candidates slated as likely to be in contention to be a top-tier Goldman Sachs manager is leaving the US firm, according to Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources.

The story said Beth Hammack, who has worked at the Wall Street firm for 30 years, was seen internally as a top choice to become the next chief financial officer – a rare elevation for a woman to one of the bank’s most senior positions.

Such a story sheds light on how encouraging more women to take up leadership roles remains a hot-button topic in the West’s bank, finance and wealth management sector, particularly as more women become business owners and ultra-HNW individuals. Traditionally, the industry has been dominated by men. Notable exceptions include Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup.

The report said that even on Wall Street, where men dominate most firms, the lack of women at Goldman’s highest levels has been a “sore point internally.” The news service said that no woman has “ever been appointed to the role of chair, chief executive officer, president or CFO in the company’s history.”

Goldman Sachs has promised to appoint more women to senior roles, the report said. 

The report added that Goldman Sachs declined to comment, as did a representative for Hammack. Family Wealth Report has contacted Goldman's and may update this story in due course.