On the shortlist: Meg Phillips-Perry

Meg Phillips-Perry is a dynamic future leader who combines her professional expertise in Learning & Development with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In her day role within HR for Deutsche Bank’s Technology, Data & Innovation division, Meg shapes tailored learning opportunities that reach thousands of employees worldwide. Meg has been shortlisted for the Future Leader Award.

 Beyond her core responsibilities, Meg has become a driving force for positive change across the bank. As Co-Lead of dbGenerations in Birmingham, she champions age inclusion and builds connections across the workforce. She also leads the Junior Network, advocating for early career colleagues, creating spaces for well-being, fundraising, and fun, while building meaningful links with senior leaders.

 Her influence extends beyond the bank into the wider community, where she supports outreach initiatives that open doors for young people – particularly young women – to explore careers in STEM and financial services. Passionate about social mobility and inspired by her own apprenticeship journey, Meg is dedicated to ensuring the next generation can access the opportunities, networks, and support they need to thrive.

Read on to find out more…

Your role in Learning & Development within Deutsche Bank’s Technology, Data & Innovation division impacts thousands of employees. What excites you most about shaping learning opportunities on this scale?

While it is amazing to create opportunities for learning at scale, I think the thing that excites me most is when a learner reaches out to let us know the impact a training has had on them personally. Knowing you’ve had a positive impact on someone’s career development is really rewarding.

 Alongside your day job, you’ve been a driving force behind dbGenerations and the Junior Network in Birmingham. What inspired you to take on these extra responsibilities, and what impact have you seen?

I first got involved with the networks during COVID as it helped me connect with colleagues in the days of 100% remote working. At the time I joined DB, the Junior Network really resonated with where I was in my career. As my career has continued to develop here, dbGenerations has allowed me to be part of new experiences. The opportunity to continue to build these networks in-person has been brilliant – it’s great to work on a site that feels like a community.

“Knowing you’ve had a positive impact on someone’s career development is really rewarding.”

 You’ve hosted events ranging from Mental Health Awareness networking to charity fundraisers. Which initiative has been most meaningful to you personally, and why?

Our annual Tech Summits have always been special to me, as it combines my passions for learning and creating colleague networks. I hosted the first on-site Tech Summit event in Birmingham, so I feel like I’ve been with it from the start here. However, anything we do to raise money for our charity of the year – Dementia UK – holds a personal space in my heart since my grandparents were diagnosed with Dementia.

You’ve been active in community outreach, from Pathways into Banking with The Sutton Trust to International Women’s Day events with local schools. What motivates you to champion opportunities for young people outside the bank?

I don’t feel like I was aware of all of the post-sixth form options available to me when I was in school. I ended up going to university when I didn’t really want to because I didn’t know there were other choices, and I dropped out after a period of unhappiness. The apprenticeship I started the following year was one of the best things that’s ever happened in my life and career. I want to make sure that students currently looking at life after school know about all their options.

Your career path hasn’t followed a conventional route, can you tell us more about it and how has your journey shaped the way you support others in their careers?

Starting my career on an apprenticeship I was lucky enough to have some fantastic career champions who helped me achieve goals and access opportunities – I can only hope to do the same for others. I’d also love to see a change where professional apprenticeships are more prevalent and not considered an ‘unconventional’ route.

“I’d like to see the early careers landscape become more level, giving graduates, apprentices, and school leavers an equal opportunity into careers in banking.”

Looking ahead, what kind of leader do you aspire to become, and what change do you most want to influence – within Deutsche Bank and in the wider financial sector?

I’d like to be a leader that champions a more meritocracy-based approach to working. I’d particularly like to see the early careers landscape become more level, giving graduates, apprentices, and school leavers an equal opportunity into careers in banking. I’d also always want to continue to champion Birmingham for the fantastic city it is and show that you don’t have to be based in London to have a fulfilling career in financial services.