Reputation, risk and resilience in Financial Services

Professional reputation is often described as one of the most valuable assets in financial services, yet it remains one of the least visible – and least understood. This was the focus of WIBF’s virtual Awards Alumni Roundtable on Reputation, Risk and Resilience, hosted by Awards Alumni Lead Helen Poon and Executive Board member Jennie Koo. The online discussion brought together WIBF Awards Alumni and WIBF members for a candid, peer-led conversation under the Chatham House Rule on how reputation is built, protected and shaped throughout a career.

In financial services, reputation is often described as your most valuable professional asset. Yet it remains one of the least visible – and least understood. We spend years building technical expertise, delivering results and developing leadership skills, but far less time considering how our reputation is formed, influenced and protected.

Opening the discussion, Helen Poon described reputation as “one of the most consequential and least transparent assets that a professional woman holds”, setting the tone for a conversation about the role it plays in shaping careers.

One of the strongest themes to emerge was that reputation is career capital. It influences opportunities before an interview is secured, before a promotion is announced and sometimes before you’ve even entered the room. While performance matters, people also form opinions based on what they hear from others, how consistently you show up and the impression you leave behind.

The discussion highlighted that women’s reputations are often subject to different expectations and greater scrutiny. Behaviours that are celebrated in one leader may be interpreted differently in another. This makes reputation management not about carefully crafting an image, but about intentionally building credibility through consistent actions, relationships and values. One participant summed up the challenge by asking: “How do we strike the balance between maintaining your true self and the professional image?” It was a question that resonated throughout the discussion.

Participants also reflected on the growing role of digital presence. LinkedIn and other professional platforms provide opportunities to share expertise and build visibility, but the conversation reinforced that authenticity matters more than volume. As one participant observed, “It doesn’t necessarily have to be posting content.” Sharing opportunities, celebrating others and engaging thoughtfully can be just as powerful in shaping professional reputation. Several attendees also reflected that online content quickly loses credibility when “it is not authentic”, particularly in an era of AI-generated content.

Another key takeaway was the importance of owning your professional narrative. Waiting for others to define your reputation leaves too much to chance. Whether leading a team, building a business or progressing within an organisation, professionals should actively communicate the value they bring, celebrate achievements appropriately and ensure their work is visible to the people who matter most.

The discussion also explored the relationship between personal and organisational reputation. For entrepreneurs and senior leaders in particular, the two can become closely intertwined. Building the profile of an organisation often begins with building trust in the people leading it. One participant reflected on attending a recent industry conference where conversations quickly moved beyond her day job, observing that “people know so much more about me than perhaps I thought they would.” It served as a reminder that our reputation is shaped by the full breadth of our professional contributions, not just the role we’re performing on a given day.

Perhaps the most important message from the session was that reputation is not built through one defining moment. It is shaped over time through everyday interactions, how we support colleagues, how we respond to challenges and whether our actions consistently reflect our values. As one participant reflected, “You can’t please all the people all the time.” Instead, reputation is about being authentic, consistent and known for the values you bring to your work and your relationships.

In an increasingly connected and fast-moving professional world, reputation cannot be left to chance. It deserves the same strategic attention we give to career planning, leadership development and technical expertise. Ultimately, the discussion concluded that reputation is built not through carefully managing perceptions, but through consistently demonstrating who we are, what we value and how we show up every day.

Thank you to everyone who took part in this discussion. You can browse our upcoming events here.