The email was apologetic, almost hesitant. ”'Is it ok if I join? Do you mind?” Not the tone one would expect from the stereotypical alpha male in the City - yet it was from a man, a banker with two children, asking to join Citymothers, the network for working mothers I created in late 2012.

Although he was not the first male to join, his appeal highlighted the particular challenges faced by fathers working in City professions. It cemented my decision to create Cityfathers - a network that will be launched by Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, on April 23 in Canary Wharf.