time gross settlement ( rtgs ) service. we also deliver this through monitoring and mitigating systemic risk across the payment industry, defending the bank and financial sector against increasingly sophisticated cybercrime, conducting risk assessments and supervisory activity on those firms that use the bank ’ s payment infrastructure, as well as supervising the systemically important payment systems themselves. and we consider the benefits and risks to financial stability from the rapidly changing fintech industry. the bank enables diversity in payment types and providers through the policy and rules we set and the infrastructure we operate. an important catalyst is the renewal of rtgs, where we are making both policy and infrastructure changes to support not just a resilient payment system, but one that new players can enter and where innovation and competition can thrive. for those not familiar with rtgs, it is a critical piece of national infrastructure and the backbone of uk payments. well in excess of £600bn every working day is settled through rtgs, including from chaps, the bank - operated high - value payment system, and from the final settlement of the uk ’ s retail payment systems. the bank has established the rtgs renewal programme to develop a new service which will not only enhance resilience but will also be fit for the future and promote innovation. having defined the programme scope, with input from the payments industry, we are now running a competitive public procurement process to appoint a technology delivery partner. they will work with the bank on the design and build of the core settlement engine. in supplementing the skills and resources we have in - house, the procurement provides the opportunity to benefit from diverse views and to draw on world - class expertise and cutting - edge experience on how we design and build rtgs for the future. in renewing rtgs, we are seeking to achieve five key outcomes, all of which will support a safe and diverse payment landscape. despite being over 20 years old, the current rtgs service remains highly resilient. but we want to do more. the new service will be materially stronger and more resilient in an increasingly complex and sophisticated environment. it will be flexible to protect against the threats we understand today and the ones we will need to adapt to in the future. rtgs renewal will promote greater access to payment systems. we have already made policy changes to allow non - bank payment service providers direct access to payment systems and rtgs renewal will reduce all speeches are available online at www. bankofengland. co.

crucial in my own directorate but also for the bank as a whole. i am the executive sponsor of the bank ’ s disability network, a staff - led network whose objectives are to : raise awareness of the full spectrum of disabilities, be they visible or not ; and provide support by identifying and removing barriers for individuals with disabilities and enabling them to reach their full potential. the network celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, and during that time has seen physical changes to the building, including an external wheelchair lift ( no mean feat in a listed building ), hearing loops in key rooms, and accessible toilets. but it is also important to create an inclusive and supportive culture that works for everyone. the disability network is just one of ten staff networks, and it is only through fostering these initiatives, ideas and enthusiasm that we can attract and retain a truly diverse range of staff. so to conclude, diversity in payments does matter. it matters to the bank ; to the firms providing payment services ; and to the businesses and individuals that use payments every day. the bank is playing a leading role in facilitating and enabling that diversity through our policy - making, and through our current and renewed rtgs infrastructure, in order to promote a diverse, resilient and thriving financial system. https : / / www. bankofengland. co. uk / - / media / boe / files / speech / 2019 / gender - diversity - speech - by - joanna - place. pdf all speeches are available online at www. bankofengland. co. uk / news / speeches