President’s Message – March 2022

Are you an inclusive leader? A mentor? Do you have a tech leader in your team?

As Mother’s Day speeds towards us, our minds have turned to the need to recognise role models: you can’t be what you can’t see. Our 24th Annual Awards programme will include new categories designed to recognise women’s achievements in each area where WIBF’s initiatives support gender equality and inclusion.

Our last digital awards event saw record attendance, bolstered by a highly successful social media campaign. Andy Haldane, Chief Economist at the Bank of England, drew heavily on the findings from our ACT research with his provocative keynote speech.

Hosted by Kate Thornton, the event was a fantastic celebration of those who do so much in our sector to progress genuine diversity and gender equality. A year of virtual celebration and recognition was topped with a second event in October, celebrating a host of role models nominated by our corporate partners. Attendees heard from special guests including Alison Rose, CEO of NatWest Group, and Dame Inga Beale. Combined, we welcomed nearly 1,200 guests – including winners such as Katelyn Brown from Deloitte, and Nikki Wells from Nat West (see below). Our social campaign celebrating the shortlists, winners, role models and our wonderful sponsors was viewed over one million times.

Our plans are even more ambitious this year. So please save the date – which will be 29th September. Look out for more as we announce the award categories themselves.

Finally, at the end of this week, let’s honour Madeleine Albright, who has been such an icon of bravery, honesty and strength inspiring women all over the world. What a role model: the first female U.S Secretary of State, a mother of three and a life-long campaigner for all women, of all colour, globally.

“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice,” she once said. “Now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.” Never silent. Rest in peace.

Women in Banking and Finance’s 2021 Recognition of Achievement

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