NETWORK IS POWERFUL ALLY – CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR 2OTH ANNIVERSARY WIBF AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT

• 20th anniversary WIBF Awards for Achievement launch follows yesterday`s International Women`s Day Be Bold for Change celebrations across the globe
• WIBF President calls for the industry to “pay it forward” and nominate for the 9 June celebration
• Citi announced as headline sponsor of the WIBF Awards for Achievement, with keynote speaker, Xavier Rolet, CEO, London Stock Exchange Group and strong judging panel also revealed

“London – 09 March 2017 The 20th anniversary Women in Banking and Finance Awards for Achievement launched today, with the organisation’s President calling on the industry to “pay it forward” and nominate colleagues.

At today’s launch event, Citi was announced as headline sponsor of the WIBF Awards for Achievement. This year’s Awards ceremony will be held on 9 June at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

The 20th awards judging panel includes Noel Harwerth, Chair of GE Capital Bank Europe and recently appointed WIBF Patron, and Natalie Costello, Vice President, Chartering and Commercial Operations for BP. Recognising the need to support younger women in the profession the judging panel also includes the 2016 WIBF Young Professional Award winner, Sophie Baldry, of Lloyds Banking.

The WIBF Awards for Achievement started 20 years ago as a way to celebrate and create role models in the banking and finance industry and includes categories to honour young achievers, more experienced individuals and a team that has made change in diversity.

WIBF President Janet Thomas said: “I am delighted that the 20th anniversary of the WIBF Awards in 2017 will honour award recipients dating back two decades as well as the role models of the future.

“More than fifty remarkable women and teams have celebrated winning at the WIBF Awards over the past twenty years. We have shared their incredible stories, we have celebrated their amazing achievements and we have inspired our members by shining the spotlight on this network of WIBF winners.

“I want to use this year’s anniversary celebration as an opportunity to inspire and encourage even more women and men in the sector – friends and colleagues – to nominate someone who deserves to shine in the spotlight. We are hugely grateful to Citi for their support in joining us as headline sponsor for this important occasion.”

Manolo Falco, Citi’s Head of CIB, EMEA, said: “We are honoured to be partnering with WIBF for their 20th Annual Awards for Achievement as the headline sponsor. We have been an active supporter of the network for over 10 years and we are delighted to be hosting the launch for these prestigious awards here at Citi.

“Inclusion and diversity of thought at all levels are critical to the success of Citi in order to deliver value and the best products and services to our clients. Citi continues to position gender diversity firmly within its key business objectives and we are proud to recognise those women who have shown exceptional leadership in the gender agenda and who themselves are true champions for women everywhere.”

Xavier Rolet, CEO, London Stock Exchange Group, who will be keynote speaker at the June event said: “At London Stock Exchange Group we understand a broad, diverse team is essential to deliver the best possible outcomes for our customers. In the UK, we signed HM Women in Finance charter to signal our ongoing commitment to equality in the work place and to actively challenge both ourselves and others in the financial sector to keep addressing these issues. We are delighted to support the Women in Banking and Finance Awards for Achievement, which showcases the many contributions that women make to the City of London.”

Noel Harwerth, 2017 Awards Judge and WIBF Patron, said: “I know many outstanding women in the banking and finance sector. I also know that many progress determinedly with their careers while being generous with the support they give to other women in the industry.

“That is why the sector must celebrate the inspiring work done by and for women in the industry. Let’s get the good news out there. That celebration is what the WIBF Awards for Achievement are all about.”

WIBF is proud Bakhita House, a safehouse for female victims of trafficking, is WIBF charity of the year and fundraising will be a part of the awards programme.

For further information or photographs:

Martha McKenzie-Minifie Telephone: +44 7596627519 Email: [email protected]

Susan Monahan Telephone: +44 20 7508 0786 Email: [email protected]”