WIBF Alumni

WIBF Awards for Achievement Winners

Since their inception in 1998, the WIBF Awards have recognised and celebrated the individuals and organisations making a lasting impact on gender equality in financial services. Over the years, these awards have evolved to reflect the changing landscape of the industry, spotlighting those driving progress and championing diversity.

The Award for Achievement has long been a prestigious accolade, with three winners celebrated in its inaugural year. In 2009, we introduced the Young Professional Award, now known as the Future Leader Award, to honour rising stars in the industry. That same year, we launched the Champion for Women Award, which recognises individuals—regardless of gender—who actively support the advancement of women in financial services. The first recipient of this award was Alan Haywood from BP, making him the first man to receive a WIBF award.

Recognising the importance of organisational impact, we introduced the Team Diversity Award in 2014, celebrating corporate groups dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion. In 2019, we welcomed Dr Mark Carney, then Governor of the Bank of England, as our keynote speaker. That year, we introduced the Tech Star Award, highlighting the contributions of women in technology within financial services, and, for the first time since 2008, presented a Lifetime Achievement Award.

As part of our 40th anniversary celebrations in 2020, we launched the WIBF 40for40 List to honour individuals who have shaped our journey as the UK’s longest-standing network for women in financial services. Originally planned for June 2020, the event was postponed due to the pandemic and took place virtually in March 2021. This shift allowed us to extend our reach beyond London and celebrate those championing gender equality across the UK’s financial services sector.

In 2020, the Rising Star Award was rebranded as the Future Leader Award to better reflect the ambitions and achievements of early-career professionals. Two years later, in 2022, we expanded our awards further to recognise corporate initiatives that are advancing diversity and inclusion and setting new industry standards. That year, we introduced two new accolades: the Mentor of the Year Award, reinforcing WIBF’s commitment to mentorship and professional development, and the Volunteer of the Year Award, shining a spotlight on the incredible contributions of our dedicated volunteers.

Held on Thursday 14 November 2024, the WIBF Awards took place concurrently in London, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, ensuring a broader reach and greater accessibility. This year also marked the introduction of two new awards for students, further strengthening our commitment to nurturing future talent and promoting diversity in financial services.

These awards not only recognise excellence but also create a lasting legacy, inspiring the next generation of leaders and changemakers in financial services. Each awardee was recognised for their achievements while working at a specific organisation, demonstrating the invaluable role of corporate partners in fostering talent and championing gender equality. As WIBF continues to grow, our alumni remain at the heart of our mission—driving progress, breaking barriers, and shaping the future of finance.

Our winners

1998

Award for Achievement

Carolanne Minashi, Citi
Pauline Hedges, Base Connections
Sharon Davies, NatWest

1999

Award for Achievement

Amanda Beckley, NatWest Markets
Nicola Kelanthous, Barclays
Sharon Cooper, Citibank

2000

Award for Achievement

Ann Leverett, WIBF
Elizabeth Hart, Barclays Private Bank
Lynn Hannay, Hannay-Rowe Education Co. Ltd

2001

Award for Achievement

Lesley MacDonagh Lovell White Durrant

Lifetime Achievement Award

Jane Bradford CBE

2002

Award for Achievement

Denise Everall, Citi Group

Lifetime Achievement Award

Award for Achievement

Emma Howard, BDO Stoy Hayward

Award for Achievement

Alison McGregor, HSBC

Champion For Women

Tracy Watkinson, Credit Suisse

Young Professional

Emma Margetts, Alpha-Exchange

Rising Star

Abisola Barber, Barclays

Team Diversity

Debbie Murphy, Lisa London, Tanya Bhairo, Credit Suisse Women Connect, Credit Suisse

Find out more

2019

Award for Achievement Individual

Deborah Gilshan, Aberdeen Standard Investments

Champion For Women

Anna Somaiya, KPMG

Young Professional

Amani Kiflemariam, Credit Suisse

Tech Star

Jenny Chong, Credit Suisse

Team Diversity

Louise Jack, Infrastructure Debt Investment Solutions COO Team CONNECTED, Macquarie

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2020

Award for Achievement

Joanne Hannaford, Goldman Sachs

Champion For Women

Helena Thernstrom, NatWest Group

Future Leader

Ayesa Latif, Citi

Tech Star

Leanne Allen KPMG

Team Diversity

Debbie Phillips, RBS Women – now NatWest Group Gender Network, NatWest Group

Find Out More

40 for 40 - 2020

WIBF’s 40for40 List showcases some of our greatest supporters and advocates from the past 40 years.

Inspirational WIBF Members

Alison Rose, NatWest Group
Anna Lane, The Wisdom Council
Cristina Serrano, Santander Asset Management
Jennie Koo, Capital One
Melanie Seymour, BlackRock
Neeta Mundra, Salesforce
Michael Cole-Fontayn, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment
Will Dowson, Bank of England
Anne Watts CBE, Appointments Commission
Margaret Carrington, WIBF
Margery Povall, WIBF Co Founder

WIBF Volunteer Winners

Alina Jegorova, Lloyds Banking Group
Amanda Bishop nee Beckley, NatWest Markets
Cristina Chimenti, Sky
Deborah Vickers, Citi
Elaine Meyrick, Thrings LLP
Marian Costello
Niamh Simms, NatWest Group
Linda Jones
Sally McFall, McFall Recruitment Ltd
Sylvana Caloni, SC Executive Coaching

Change Maker Winners

Alice Gaskell, Impax Asset Management; Digbee
Dominie Moss, The Return Hub
Gordon Jones, NatWest
James Clarry. Coutts
Janet Thomas, Standard Charter Bank
Kate Grussing, CBE Sapphire Partners
Lindsay Law, NatWest Group
Nikki Wells, RBS International
Liz Hughes, LSEG
Pandora Omaset, JP Morgan

Friend of WIBF Winners

Abstract (organisation)
Andrew Pitt, Citi
David Roylance, HCB – Speak to Shine Ltd
David Stringer-Lamarre, Fortis Consulting & IOD
Julia Streets
Nigel Jackson, Leading Coach
RBS (organisation)
Yasmine Chinwala, New Financial LLP
Martha McKenzie-Minifie, ING

Find Out More

Recognition of Achievement - 2021

Following our annual awards in March 2021—postponed from 2020—we took a step back to spotlight the achievements of individuals from our valued corporate partners. These inspiring role models have made a tangible impact, demonstrating success and leadership in advancing gender equity.

Recognition of Achievement

Kate Smith, Aegon
Shilpy Kumar, Capco
Andrew Pitt, Citi
Audrey Bampoe, Credit Suisse
Lisa London, Credit Suisse
Bernadette Smith, Cynergy Bank
Katelyn Brown, Deloitte
Shalini Shan, EY-Parthenon
Lisa Fernihough, KPMG
Kate James, Lloyds Banking Group
Anita Huynh, Macquarie Asset Management
Nikki Wells, NatWest
Desirée Clarke-Noble, RBC
Beatriz Rufo Arriero, Santander
Fola Osuntokun, TD Securities
Debbie Walker, Tesco Bank
Lana Vannerem, Wells Fargo
Stefanie Hansveitt, Wells Fargo

Find Out More

2022

Award for Achievement

Funmi Dele-Giwa, MFS Africa

Inclusive Leader

Bano Sheikh, KPMG LLP

Future Leader

Juskirin Dhanoa, Capco

Tech Leader

Jessica Bevan, Capco

Mentor of the Year

Margot Waddup, Wells Fargo

Volunteer of the Year

Deborah Vickers, Citi

Best D&I Innovation

KPMG 'RaiseYou' Noeleen Cowley & Mita Dave, KPMG

Positive Social & Sustainable Impact

Coutts & Co.

Most Successful Returners Programme

Reactivate Your Career, Citi

Best SME D&I Innovation Award

The Gender Index, mnAI

Find Out More

2023

Award for Achievement

Anita Kimber, EY

Inclusive Leader

Jennifer Small, Bank of England
Future Leader

Sophie Godbold, Bank of England

Tech Leader

Asia Sharif, Natwest

Mentor of the Year

Vicky Soden, Deloitte

Volunteer of the Year

Samatha Carnley & Victoria Pringle, WIBF

Most Successful Returners Programme

Lloyds Banking Group

Best SME D&I Innovation

Cynergy Bank

Best D&I Innovation

Women who Excel, KPMG

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2024

Award for Achievement

Roselyne Renel, Lloyds Banking Group

Inclusive Leader

Alexandra Kourie Director EY

Future Leader

Lauren Fuller, NatWest Group

Tech Leader

Aarti Balakrishnan, Deloitte & Carla McGlynn, CitiBank

Mentor of the Year

Gillian Lyng Deutsche Bank & Michael Levene, Wells Fargo

WIBF Volunteer of the Year

Gwen Faure

Judges Award

Daria Preston, Bank of England & Lisa Ardley-Price, NatWest Group

Best DEI Innovation

The Village, NatWest Group

Best SME DEI Innovation

Working in Mortgages, AMI

Most Successful Returners Programme

RE-IGNITE, Moody's

Student of the year

Aditi Singh, Student University of Bristol

Most Inclusive University Society

Nottingham's Economics and Finance Society (NEFS) Women in Finance Division

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