President`s Message – May 2018

2018 WIBF AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT | 2018 WIBF AWARDS SHORTLIST DINNER | BAKHITA HOUSE | 2018 WIBF AWARDS CHARITY

“2018 WIBF AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT

The 2018 WIBF Awards Shortlist was announced last month and our judges are now grappling with the final, difficult, decisions. Do join us on Friday 15th June at the London Hilton on Park Lane for the WIBF Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Citi, to find out who will be named the 2018 WIBF Awards for Achievement winners. We have a record number of people already joining us for the celebration. All details are available on our website

2018 WIBF AWARDS SHORTLIST DINNER
We, at WIBF, are looking forward to meeting the 2018 Awards shortlisted nominees at the WIBF Awards Shortlist Dinner on Thursday 24th May, sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group. It is going to be a wonderful opportunity to meet and network with WIBF, LBG and the successful nominees in all categories, as well as a chance to get to know these outstanding nominees better before the 15 June.

BAKHITA HOUSE | 2018 WIBF AWARDS CHARITY
WIBF is proud to fundraise for Caritas Bakhita House during the 2018 Awards Luncheon. If you would like to donate to the inspiring work Bakhita House does with vulnerable victims of human trafficking ahead of the Luncheon you can do so via http://virginmoneygiving.com/fund/wibf
WIBF and Bakhita House are very grateful for your support and generosity.

WIBF EXECUTIVE BOARD
Women in Banking and Finance relies entirely on the dedication and good will of its voluntary Executive Board and committee members to direct the network for the benefit of our members. On behalf of WIBF I would like to offer sincere thanks to Sharon Forder (Chief Operating Officer) and Miranda Abraham (Co-director of Programmes) who are both stepping down from the WIBF Executive Board after many years of commitment to WIBF. Thank you both.

I am delighted to announce that three new Executive Board members will be joining the team: Cristina Serrano has been appointed WIBF Director of Membership; Manisha Dass has been appointed WIBF Co-director of Programmes, and Maria Dickson has been appointed WIBF Chief Operating Officer. WIBF is proud that such accomplished women are joining the network’s Executive Board.

UK VOTE 100 WOMEN IN BUSINESS SUMMIT
I was delighted to attend the Vote 100 Women in Business Summit on 17 April, where the Countess of Wessex gave the opening keynote, followed by the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, The Chief Secretary to the Treasury.  Given that 2018 is the centenary of the 1918 “Representation of the People Act’, which gave women the vote for the first time, the conference opened with a session that reviewed how female leadership has changed over the last century.  This session featured Dr. Helen Pankhurst, who spoke about the work she is doing to uphold the legacy of her great grandmother, Emmeline Pankhurst (15 July 1858 – 14 June 1928), a distinguished political activist and leader of the British suffragette movement.

The Summit brought together a platform of distinguished women, drawn from a range of business sectors, to discuss the key issues facing British business today, including the critical importance of diversity in the boardroom and among senior management.

2018 WIBF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The WIBF AGM took place on 24 April to a full room, attended by representatives of the Advisory Board, Executive Board and WIBF members.  We reviewed the achievements of the year ending September 2017, including the successful opening of the Birmingham Branch under Jennie Koo, more Programmes run for members than ever before, the biggest Awards for Achievement luncheon, and a healthy financial report.  A huge thank you to all of our volunteers and members for helping WIBF to achieve an outstanding year.
A copy of the minutes can be obtained by contacting [email protected]

Vivienne Artz
President, Women in Banking and Finance“