Our Stories

Our members and their stories are at the centre of WIBF’s identity. The women (and the men who champion us), from all career levels, are at the heart of the industry. Together, we are not afraid to say what needs to be said. We strive to go the furthest. We lead from the front. We drive change. We encourage solidarity. We are proud of our members’ achievements and the role WIBF plays in helping them get where they are. Read a selection of our member stories below. If you would like to share your story get in touch! digital@wibf.org.uk

Women Connect - Credit Suisse

"We were both surprised and honoured to receive the award."

Award winner

Credit Suisse’s Women Connect initiative, led by Lisa London and Tanya Bhairo were the winners of the 2018 Team Diversity Award.

Abisola Barber

"I would encourage young women starting out to truly believe in themselves and their capabilities."

Award winner

We return to Rising Star winner Abisola Barber to find out what she has been up to since winning our award in June.

Alison McGregor

"Everyone has blind spots, even those of us who know about unconscious bias."

Award winner

As CEO Scotland, Alison is the senior leader responsible for the HSBC Group in Scotland, with over 4000 employees across a range of businesses. In addition to responsibility for people, customers and shareholders she has primary responsibility for maintaining the Group’s relationship with key external stakeholders and senior leaders with an interest and responsibility for supporting the growth of our economy.

Francesca Lynch

"I’m not sure I was quite prepared for the recognition that came with winning the award!"

Award winner

Francesca Lynch, Winner of WIBF's 2017 Young Professional Award is now Head of the EUR Corporates Credit Trading team at RBC. We spoke to her to ask her about her year since winning...

Elizabeth Hart, ACIB, TEP, MSID

"I still feel proud to be part of WIBF and to be a past winner is just an amazing achievement which is with you forever."

Award winner

Elizabeth has dedicated her entire working career, of over 31 years, to advising private clients, providing wealthy families with highly personalised and professional wealth management and succession planning advice. She was the winner of the WIBF Award for Achievement in 2000.

Sophie Baldry

"Winning the award has really helped me to raise my profile both inside and outside of my organisation."

Award winner

Awards judge

Sophie Baldry is a Senior Manager within Lloyds Banking Group’s Community Banking Division, working as the Executive Assistant to the MD of Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland. Prior to that she spent a year as a Product Owner working in Scrum & Agile Methodology, leading a team to shape and deliver tools to support customers and colleagues to build digital capability.

Tracy Jordan

"The WIBF awards are highly recognised across my sector and have introduced me to so many other inspirational women"

Award winner

Alumni

Under Tracy’s leadership as Programme Director, Credit Suisse’s Modern Muse has engaged the next generation of female business leaders by showcasing diverse women and their roles within banks. The programme has directly reached 1,850 girls and inspired more than 200,000 young women and girls in the UK, partnering with approximately 35 schools and three universities and are looking to expand into other countries.

Vanessa Vallely

"The awards showcase just how much talent there is in the female pipeline and provides these women with a platform to shine"

Award winner

Awards judge

Alumni

At the height of her successful 25 year career in the financial services, Vanessa launched the award winning WeAreTheCity.com in 2008 as a vehicle to help corporate women connect and grow professionally and personally. WeAreTheCity.com now has over 120,000 members and in 2013 launched a sister site in India.

Leigh Smyth

"I really believe in loving the job you do. Life is just too short to do anything different."

Award winner

WIBF team

Alumni

Leigh joined Lloyds Banking Group in 2012 as Head of Digital Inclusion, leading the digital inclusion agenda on behalf of the Group. She has built the UK’s largest volunteering network of over 25,000 Digital Champions and also leads the development of the report into the digital capability of SMEs, Charities and Consumers– the Lloyds Bank Business Digital Index.