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

Deborah Gilshan

Winner of the 2019 Award for Achievement Award

Award winner

Awards shortlist

Alumni

Deborah is the Founder of The 100% Club, a network for professional women that seeks to promote the importance of networking for career advancement and personal development. It is Deborah’s contribution to retaining women in sectors challenged on gender balance.

Louise Jack

Winner of 2019 Team Diversity Award with Macquarie Infrastructure Debt Investment Solutions COO Team, Macquarie

Award winner

Awards shortlist

Alumni

Louise Jack is Chief Operating Officer for Macquarie’s infrastructure debt business, based in London. She has worked for Macquarie for 10 years in a variety of roles, including performing business acquisitions/ integrations, and COO for the leasing business. During her career she has also worked in other UK offices, Sydney and the US. Louise trained as a chartered accountant at PwC where she focussed on risk assurance and process improvement engagements.

Amani Kiflemariam

Winner of the 2019 Young Professional Award

Award winner

Awards shortlist

Alumni

Amani is the Head of Risk & Control, Impact Advisory and Finance Department (IAF) division at Credit Suisse. Amani has shown exemplary leadership and made significant contributions to the business and to enhancing the Diversity & Inclusion initiatives of Credit Suisse.

Anna Somaiya

Winner of the Champion for Women Award 2019

Award winner

Awards shortlist

Alumni

Anna leads KPMG’s Digital Technology & Data Strategy. Three years ago, she founded the IT’s Her Future Programme which she continues to expand and lead. The programme has impacted technology teams across KPMG UK and globally, partnering with external organisations to deliver the best results for women in technology, and speaking with clients to assist with their transformations.

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.