Trailblazer Rachel Kennedy

As a Client Account Manager at Synechron, Rachel has the responsibility of growing the business in Scotland, maintaining and building strong relationships with key clients and partners, and ultimately inform sales strategies to help achieve business growth targets. Alongside this, Rachel is also a board member of WIBF Scotland and a valued member of the Future Leaders Network.

Before joining Synechron, Rachel was an Events and Relationships Manager at Scottish Financial Enterprise. Rachel graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Hariot-Watt University and continued her studies to obtain an MBA in Essentials, Business and Administration and Management from Hariot-Watt University.

How did you get involved with WIBF?

I got involved with WIBF because I recognised the importance of connecting with a community of like-minded women in the banking and finance industry. I was seeking opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and networking, and WIBF offer such an inclusive platform to share experiences, learn from industry leaders, and contribute to the advancement of women in our field. At the time, I worked for Scottish Financial Enterprise – a membership entity that brings together professional and financial services firms in Scotland and I knew that being involved in WIBF would allow me the opportunity to get involved in events that were UK wide, with women in similar positions and situations as me!

What action have you taken in your career to help you find opportunities to develop and continue your growth?

Throughout my career, I actively pursued continuing education, sought out mentorship relationships, and took on challenging projects that expanded my skill set. I also made a conscious effort to build a strong professional network through industry events and associations like WIBF, Scottish Financial Enterprise, Fintech Scotland, Her Wealth Network which has opened doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and leadership roles. I also think that the most underrated way to grow is asking questions. Someone once gave me great advice… If you think the question is silly, it’s not. But not only that, another 15 people in the room are probably thinking the same thing! Demystify and stay curious.

Do you have any helpful tools, methods or resources you could recommend to our members in progressing in their career?

Certainly! I recommend leveraging a few key resources:

• Mentorship programmes: Seek mentors who can provide guidance, feedback, and support. Both formal and informal. Some of my ‘mentors’ don’t even know they mentor me but I am constantly watching them and learning from them.
• Networking platforms: Attend industry events and join associations like WIBF to expand your connections and to stay up to date.
• Professional development courses: Continuously update your skills with relevant certifications or training. This doesn’t have to be paid professional development, it can be taking on a bit of additional work and building your skillset.
• Personal branding: Build a strong online presence, such as a LinkedIn profile, to showcase your expertise and show who you are. ‘Your reputation goes before you’ is an important phrase to remember – who do you want her to be?
• Books and podcasts: Engage with industry-specific books and podcasts for ongoing learning and inspiration. I can definitely recommend a few podcasts if anyone is interesting!

What advice would you give to yourself at the outset of your career?

I would advise myself to be more confident in my abilities, to embrace challenges with a growth mindset, and to actively seek out sponsors who can support my development. Find people that will say your name in rooms you’re not in. Additionally, I’d encourage myself to be patient and persistent – building a meaningful and successful career takes time, resilience, and continuous learning and sometimes there will be failures and set backs. I also think not seeing feedback as negative and instead, as a chance to grow… This can be tricky at times but remember, feedback is a gift!

Thank you so much Rachel for your wise words, we are incredible grateful for all that you do internally at WIBF and externally bringing women together to connect in our industry!