Jennifer Countess von Walderdorff | Sustainable Fashion Consultant | Look at the Labels
Jennifer is a recognized fashion merchandising and retail expert, with a notable achievement as the author of the modern shopping guide ”Look @ the Labels.” Raised in New Cross Gate, southeast London, her love for fashion and numbers bloomed early, influenced by her Nigerian heritage passed down from her parents.
In 2011, Jennifer ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing Cheeky Poppins Shoe Clips. This inventive concept focused on enhancing footwear with accessories instead of purchasing new items, which garnered awards and recognition. An early-stage eco-conscious brand.
She has since been appointed ambassador for non-profits DKS and Sustainable Fashion Week in 2023. She is a member of UN Women UK and has been nominated for the Speaker Award by the Women`s Business Awards 2024. Today, she stands proud as a sustainable fashion freelance consultant, author, and speaker. She works with fashion brands, building strategies towards carbon zero, and integrating sustainable practices in their businesses. She has also built the Look at the Labels platform to assist and support people on their sustainable fashion journey. She also creates content and continues to grow her 5k audience via social media to educate people on the principles she shares in her book “Look @ the Labels”, how to get sharp, style right, and buy smart for a more sustainable future of fashion for all.
Caroline Marshall | Founder | Upsource
Caroline Marshall is the founder of a multi award winning Virtual Assistant Agency, Upsource.
A growing team of VAs who provide Business, Executive and Virtual Assistance. Including Outsourced PA / EA, operations, financial admin, HR and content services to Entrepreneurs, HNWs, Startups, Scale ups and SME’s.
Having a background in Personal Assistance, Business Support and Events, Caroline transitioned to the Virtual Assistant industry in 2016, firstly as an employed VA, and then ultimately launched her own agency in July 2020.
Upsource has seen significant growth since 2020 and Caroline and her tips have been featured in the Metro, Daily Mail, Grazia, Stylist, Waitrose Magazine and The Guardian.
Her personal experience of motherhood, the workplace, redundancy, the pandemic, furlough and finding freedom with starting her own business has led her on the path of creating a podcast ‘Bump to Business owner’ to hare the stories of other Founders who are also Mothers and ‘how on earth we do it’.
Sarah Watson | Senior Manager, Insurance Risk and Regulation | PwC
After graduating from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor`s degree in Natural Sciences, I worked for a decade at Goldman Sachs doing Equity Research.
However, after having two children, I was no longer able to continue a career in investment banking whilst being the sort of mother I wanted to be. At that point, I pivoted to Insurance, hoping it would set me up to build a long and sustainable career, even though it might mean an initial step backward in seniority. I started worked at the Bank of England, where I supervised insurance firms for four years, and then more recently at PwC.
In my two years at PwC, I have worked with insurance firms across a wide variety of projects to help them successfully manage significant regulatory challenges. My agility over this time means that I have broadened my areas of expertise from initially prudential and life insurance, to now also conduct regulation, and working across the general insurance, Lloyd’s and London Market sectors. Throughout it all, I have helped insurers navigate the regulatory impact of change driven by macro, technological and operational factors.
I grew up immersed in two cultures, with a Chinese mother and an English father. This, combined with the breadth of my career experiences, means I recognise the importance of understanding and celebrating people’s different perspectives and creating an inclusive environment. I am passionate about promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, and supporting other women in their career.
Sarah Lightfoot | FI Growth Leader, Senior Vice President | Marsh
I studied Law at university before joining JLT on the graduate scheme in 2015.
I worked in the claims team for Financial Lines for 4 years, until the acquisition of JLT by Marsh. This role taught me the fundamentals of excellent client service, negotiation, technical expertise, harnessing great relationships, and delivery of a true `one team` proposition to our clients.
Upon the Marsh acquisition, there was much change within my team and the wider group. At what felt like a pivotal time in my career, this was incredibly daunting. I took the decision to move into a client servicing placement role within Financial Institutions at Marsh. This was a fresh challenge for me, but I was guided by the principles I had learned and practiced.
Soon into my time in the FI team, I was working on several flagship accounts as lead Client Executive, and I simultaneously developed a passion for growing existing client relationships through better delivery of the whole firm, and building and nurturing new relationships with prospects.
I have now developed into FI Growth Leader, building an internal profile and working to empower the team to foster a can-do growth mindset. We have developed a clear growth strategy, and I work to support the whole team to feel confident and supported in executing that strategy, as well as utilising the best of the group to respond to client needs with innovative, unique solutions. I am so glad I found the confidence to make the jump in 2019.
Nadine Teape | Global Network Oversight and Controls Manager | Lloyd`s of London
Nadine's career path spans over a decade in the financial sector, in a variety of roles and disciplines.
Following a law degree from Reading University, she commenced her professional journey at the Financial Ombudsman Service, specialising in resolving insurance complaints while mentoring new starters and colleagues.
Starting at Lloyd’s of London, Nadine specialised in international regulation, navigating Lloyd`s complex regulatory landscapes and licenses.
Nadine transitioned to Lloyd’s commercial team, where she spearheaded governance oversight of the organisation`s global offices. Here, she played a pivotal role in developing and implementing robust governance frameworks to support strategic objectives.
Driving positive outcomes and fostering collaboration, Nadine continues to make significant contributions to the financial industry, leveraging her expertise and passion in mentoring to inspire excellence and drive organisational success.
Becki Betts | Product and Propositions Manager | Aviva
Whilst studying for a degree in PyschoSocial Science, I took on an additional unit in Marketing and fell in love with the subject.
Upon graduating, I decided this was where my passion lay so sought out a role in a corporate organisation in order to work my way up into a marketing role. I joined a financial services company in the call centre and a chance encounter led me to a role in their B2B Marketing Team where I worked as a consultant for three years, marketing to insurance brokers. I left the company for four years to be a Social Media Lead for an education company, and have my first child, before returning to financial services once again. After four more years in B2B marketing, and the small matter of another baby and a global pandemic, I found myself keen to progress and in need of a change. I took on a role in the Product Development team where I learnt how to research, build, trade and manage insurance products, adding a whole new skill set to my career. I am still in this team today but have recently had the opportunity to be involved in a large transformation project and apply my experience and knowledge of communications in a change capacity.
Annie Terry | Cyber Reinsurance Broker | Lockton Re
I joined the Lockton Re Specialty Team in January 2024 as a Broker; with a sole focus on Cyber risk.
I started my career at Marsh in 2019 following the achievement of a 1st Class Business and Economics Degree.
During my time at Marsh I qualified as ACII and spent time in various client facing roles including Advisory, Sales and Cyber; dealing with high value accounts.
Just prior to joining Lockton Re I spent 2 years at AON; where I was a successful Cyber, Technology and Media Broker on the Direct Insurance side; for clients between £250m-£2/3bn in revenue.
Aikaterini Valentina Paschali | Digital Data Analyst | Direct Line Group
After completing my BSc in Economics in Greece, I initially ventured into the field of accounting as an assistant.
However, I quickly realised that my true passion lay in the realm of data. Determined to pursue a career aligned with my interests, I decided to relocate to Germany. Eager to carve a path into the world of data, I enrolled in a Master`s program in International Business, focusing on Information Systems courses to boost my skill set.
While studying, I concurrently delved into the field of HR Analytics, serving as a supporting analyst for global projects within the construction industry. This marked the inception of my journey in data analysis. Following the completion of my studies, I transitioned to a role as a Digital Data Analyst at an analytics agency in Greece, catering to tech multinational clients. However, the exposure to the international, fast-paced environment, coupled with the challenges of working in a large company that I encountered in Germany, resonated with me. So, after a year in this role, my desire for an international experience led me to relocate to the UK. In June 2022, I embarked on a new chapter with DirectLineGroup as a Digital Data Insight Analyst. In this capacity, I contribute to impactful projects, enhance the digital journey for our customers, and specialise in web page analysis and reporting. The dynamic and vibrant nature of the work, coupled with the opportunity to be part of a larger organisation, aligns perfectly with my professional aspirations!
Emily Griffiths | Founder, Activist, Writer and Speaker | For The Women UK
My name is Emily, I’m founder of For The Women UK, a Social Impact organisation.
I’m an activist, writer and speaker, my work is focused on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, Women’s Health and Empowerment as well as Health Equity. I have campaigned on a political level working with local members of parliament involved in policy matters for changes. I have been a voluntary UN Women UK delegate for three years, a UN Youth Member and I have attended high level UN Youth Human Rights Meetings, as well as other large organisations.
I was delighted to hold a meeting with The Clinton Foundation about my activism work with Women’s Health. I speak at schools, colleges and workplaces to raise awareness on inequalities faced by Women and Girls in health, education and more. I’m dedicated to my work and I’m deeply passionate in creating meaningful changes.
Therese Kieve | Stewardship Analyst | Sarasin & Partners LLP
Therese is responsible for undertaking rigorous analysis on the financial implications of ESG factors for specific stocks as well as on a sector/industry basis.
She supports and leads company engagements and voting, with a particular focus on labour rights, human rights and diversity and inclusion. She also chaired the 30% Club UK Investor Group’s Race Equity Workstream.
Prior to joining Sarasin & Partners in 2019, Therese worked as a Senior Research Analyst at Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), a provider of governance and responsible investment solutions to the financial community. Prior to ISS, she worked at ShareAction, a UK organisation that promotes responsible investment. Therese has also previously worked as Senior Manager, Pensions and Insurance, Group Market Risk at Lloyds Banking Group. As a senior risk professional and actuary, she had independent oversight of key market risks including equity risk, interest rate risk, inflation risk and foreign exchange risk arising from the Group’s Insurance and Employee Pension Schemes.
She holds an MSc in Corporate Governance and Business Ethics from University of London, a BMath in Actuarial Science from the University of Waterloo, Canada and is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA).