WIBF mid-year review 2025: Progress, partnerships and purpose

As we hit the halfway point of 2025, and Women in Banking and Finance continues to deliver on its mission to create a more inclusive, equitable financial services industry. From policy influence and community expansion to new networks and bold leadership, the first half of the year has been packed with purpose and impact.

Driving the DEI agenda forward

In January, WIBF contributed to the landmark report “DE&I Interventions That Deliver: What Works Across Multiple Characteristics”, launched at the House of Commons. Developed with EY and other leading voices, the report featured insights from WIBF’s ACT Good Finance Framework.

In February, President Anna Lane published “Gender Equality is Still Good Business”, a timely response to the growing resistance around DEI. She also delivered a keynote in UK FinTech, urging leaders to move beyond fairness and recognise diversity as a source of growth, innovation, and competitive edge.

Expanding reach and influence

In February, our Belfast branch officially rebranded as WIBF Northern Ireland, recognising the need to engage women across the entire region. New Co-Chairs Siobhan Moran and Cathy Hawthorne are leading this exciting next chapter.

Also in February, we expanded our Social Mobility Initiative, deepening partnerships that connect firms with organisations helping young women from low-income backgrounds access financial services careers.

We marked Mental Health Awareness week in May, with a series of articles and social media content.

On 12 June, we marked Social Mobility Day with a clear call to #ShiftMindsets, reminding businesses that social mobility isn’t just a moral goal – it’s good business.

Events by numbers

WIBF has hosted 73 events so far in 2025, both in person and online. Our Personal Excellence Programme delivered 23 events on topics such as confidence, communication, wellbeing, allyship, and fertility in the workplace.

Nearly 4,000 attendees have joined us already this year! Read on to find out more about our events.

Building communities & new networks

In March, we officially launched the WIBF Women in Tech Network with a flagship event hosted by Infosys at Canary Wharf. Co-led by Bhawana Haritwal and Elly McLoughlin, this growing network supports women navigating the fast-moving world of tech in finance. In June, the network celebrated Women in Data at Close Brothers, featuring four dynamic speakers reshaping what’s possible through data, innovation, and resilience.

Our Female Financial Advisors Network (FFAN), led by Emma Apps and Leanne Peacock, hosted its spring event at Quilter Cheviot in March, and reconvened in June with support from M&G Wealth. Amira Norris and Ross Liston delivered powerful sessions on authenticity and the future of advice, with rising stars from the M&G Wealth Academy adding further inspiration.

In May, the Senior Business Leaders community explored tech’s transformation from cost centre to value driver with leaders from Schroders, Simply, and WTW.

In June, our Future Leaders Network hosted its summer social, bringing together a record 74 attendees for rooftop views, Aperol spritz, and meaningful connections.

Championing Thought Leadership

April saw the introduction of our Thought Leadership team, led by Sarah Gresty, which has since delivered several events including:

• A panel with on breastfeeding in the workplace
• A session on career agility in the AI era
• A financial wellbeing talk with Amanda Redman hosted by St. James’s Place
• Overcoming barriers to social mobility in the workplace
• Wealth Management
• A joint global panel with WiBF Australia, exploring AI’s transformative role in financial services with speakers from HSBC, Infosys, and MA Financial

Regional events

WIBF continues to grow its presence across the UK, delivering impactful local programming:

• Manchester: Elevate Your Confidence with Broster Buchanan and Leadfully
• Edinburgh: A packed programme covering tech, mentoring, risk, resilience, and family financial wellbeing
• Belfast: Smart Leadership, Stronger Business with Michelle Lestas MBA
• Birmingham: Escaping the Suits & Geeks Stereotypes with Andy Bass
• Leeds: Our first-ever event in Leeds: Financing the Future

Mentoring momentum

Since launching our new mentoring platform in 2024, we’ve seen incredible results in 2025:

• 189 mentees paired
• 13,873 hours spent on the platform
• 365 meetings organised through the platform
• 25+ mentors supporting multiple mentees

In April, we launched our 2025 regular learning sessions for mentors and mentees.

We also launched this year’s Future Me Student Mentoring Programme, connecting university students with future leaders through collaboration between the Future Leaders Network and SES Co-Chairs.

Partnership highlights

WIBF partnered with a range of influential events in H1 2025:

• February: Women in Broking and FinovateEurope
• March: MoneyLIVE Summit and Empowering Disabled Women for IWD with Vantage Point
• May: The Future of Broking conference
• June: A busy month:
  • AI Summit London
  • FT Live: Women in Business Summit
  • Banking Transformation Summit (with a WIBF panel)
  • The Brilliance Summit

These partnerships extended our reach and offered discounted access for members.

LinkedIn growth and impact

WIBF’s LinkedIn performance this year has been impressive:

• 34,299 followers, including 3,225 new in 2025
• 322 posts, 314,311 impressions, and 20,461 clicks
• 5.95% average engagement rate – well above industry norms
• 5,789 likes, 366 reposts, and 379 comments
• 4.17% click-through rate

A thriving online presence that’s building community and sparking action.

Celebrating volunteers and leadership

Ahead of National Volunteers’ Week, President Anna Lane shared a personal message about the hidden value of volunteering. We spotlighted stories from the Future Leaders Shadow Board and other volunteers.

In April, three FLSB members were shortlisted for the WeAreTheCity Rising Star Awards.

In June, we proudly announced Nishma Gosrani OBE as Chair of the WIBF Board. A Partner at Bain & Company and co-author of the Women in Finance Charter Blueprint, Nishma brings strategic insight and inclusive leadership to guide our future.

While this review captures just a snapshot of our activity so far in 2025, it’s by no means the full picture. Every day, across the UK, WIBF members, volunteers and corporate partners are driving progress, opening doors, and making our mission real. Thank you to everyone who has contributed your time, energy and passion – we couldn’t do it without you.

Here’s to the rest of the year!