Susanne Gardner | Financial Crime Compliance Operations Manager | Aviva Investors
I started working within my current company in 2010, in the customer service contact centre for motor insurance.
This was a stop gap job following the completion of my degree in Criminology whilst I figured out what I wanted to do with my career. Like a lot of people, I had no idea when I graduated what I wanted to do or how to go about getting into specific areas. Over my time in customer service, I explored other areas within the wider company to see what caught my interest. I saw a vacancy for a fraud investigator and went for it; I have been working in different areas of financial crime prevention ever since. My focus, now, is on the management of our Anti-Money Laundering (AML) controls, Know Your Customer checks and oversighting of our third parties who perform AML activities on our behalf. I manage a small team of 6 financial crime analysts who cover a multitude of operational activities required to ensure compliance with AML legislation across the investment management business. I love solving problems and helping others and my current role provides me with the opportunities to be involved in all areas of investment management. My day to day is always different and I am always up for a new challenge. However, what I enjoy most is being able to support those around me, helping with their development and seeing their confidence blossom as they progress in their careers.
Shauna Loughrey | CASS Oversight, Assistant Director | RBC Brewin Dolphin
I studied economics at the University of Liverpool, drawn in by the combination of problem solving with real-world application.
During my second year, I completed the ‘PwC Women in Business Talent Academy’ where I was able to participate in several skills activities and hear from inspiring women about their journeys within the financial sector.
After graduating in 2015, I joined the PwC Assurance Graduate Scheme and was introduced to CASS. The Client Assets Sourcebook (CASS) regulations are set by the FCA to ensure the protection of Clients’ money and assets in the event of a firm’s failure. I was immediately drawn to working in a career where protecting clients was at the heart of the job.
Within PwC, I completed CASS audits for several large banks, eventually leading those audits working directly with clients and managing junior team members. I was promoted to manager a year in advance of the standard 5-year cycle.
In 2020 I joined RBC Brewin Dolphin’s (RBCBD) CASS Oversight Team keen to continue my career in CASS. Within RBCBD I have had a wide variety of responsibilities and opportunities to develop new skills. The opportunities afforded to me has allowed me to come into my own as a leader. Where I previously found public speaking daunting, I now engage with executives and senior leaders on an ongoing basis and present at Governance forums.
I look forward to continuing to develop my skillset and supporting RBCBD by embracing future challenges and opportunities to grow as a leader.
Sara Yemane | Associate Director | RBC BlueBay Asset Management
Sara joined BlueBay Asset Management (which is now part of RBC Global Asset Management) in 2020 as a temporary RFP Writer.
She later became a permanent member of the team and within three years had worked towards becoming Associate Director within the firm’s Client Experience team.
Prior to joining RBC BlueBay, Sara worked as a Client Relationship Manager at Sarasin & Partners, working with charities and private clients across the UK and USA. She started her career as Fund Analyst at Waverton Investment Management.
Sara received a First Class Honours in Business Management BSc with a specialism in marketing from Brunel University.
Ally Redding | Senior Account Executive | Guidewire
I work in enterprise software sales focused on the insurance industry. I am a Senior Account Executive at Guidewire responsible for managing sales across the UK and South Africa.
My focus is to work with new and existing customers to understand their strategic objectives and showcase the power of leveraging Guidewire’s SaaS capabilities to achieve them. Since joining in 2021, I have received awards for my sales performance including EMEA Newcomer of the Year. I am also the UK lead for Guidewire’s Employee Resource Group – GROW (Guidewire Recognition of Women).
At university I studied Forensic Linguistics and spent my weekends managing a call center focused on fitting telematics devices to vehicles. I was passionate about getting into a career within the insurance industry so alongside my first role in Public Relations, I embarked on the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) London Market qualifications and focused on meeting as many people as possible within the industry to learn more.
Outside of work, I spent the last 3 years volunteering with Mencap to support local adults with learning disabilities, which was very rewarding. I enjoy travelling, food, and live events whether that be sports or music.
Toyosi Olowe | Founder, Creative Director, Artist | TOYOWRITES
Toyosi successfully transitioned from a Tech position in a Big Four firm to a thriving startup in a short time span showcases her adaptability and entrepreneurial prowess.
Founded her high end art brand in 2020. This artist and entrepreneur demonstrated exceptional business acumen, achieving substantial success without external funding. She has previously been commended by the Iconic Telegraph newspaper as a top 100 female entrepreneurs in the UK to watch.
Having sold five-figure artworks to influential CEOs like Bracken Darrell the CEO of VF and famous Hollywood actresses. This highlights her global impact in the art market, making her a compelling candidate for the rising star award.
Diversity and Representation: By pursuing a creative path and breaking away from traditional corporate roles, she serves as a role model, creating representation for black females in Europe/ Diaspora who aspire to pursue their creative passions amid societal and career pressures.
Endorsements by Influential Figures: Gaining endorsements from multiple Hollywood actresses like Meagan Good further solidifies her credibility and influence in the creative industry.
Innovative Exhibition Locations: Hosting exhibitions at prestigious venues like Google HQ, Deloitte, and Barclays demonstrates her ability to innovate and collaborate in unique settings, contributing to her recognition in the Art and Style category. She is pioneering the corporate and creative synergy including the first-of-its-kind female-only exhibition at Barclays during Black History Month, showcases her ability to bridge the gap between the corporate world and the art community.
Zixuan Wang | Investment Counsellor Associate | HSBC
I’m a Private Bank Investment Counsellor Associate, dedicated to the investment success of my clients.
Prior to joining the team, I was on the Graduate Programme. I’ve always believed that investment and finance is a bridge that connects people to each other, to their aspirations and to the betterment of the society and this belief has been driving me forward throughout my career. Outside of my day-to-day job, I’m one of the Sustainable Investment Ambassadors and an active member of the Private Bank`s Balance Employee Resource Group, working to improve the gender balance in the workplace. I believe in the strength of diversity and inclusion, passionate to contribute to a work environment where everyone can be their true selves.
Coming from South-Western China, I always endeavour to rise above my limitations and see from different perspectives. I moved to the UK in 2016 for my studies, fully embracing an international mindset. I hold dual-Bachelor degrees at University of Birmingham (First Class Honours) and Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (GPA 4/5), as well as Master degree in Risk and Finance at London School of Economics (Distinction). I see myself as a life-long student, enthusiastic to seize the day and continuously broaden my horizon.
Pamela Remmer | Verification Team Leader | RBC Brewin Dolphin
I started my career with RBC Brewin Dolphin in May 2013 on a 6 month temporary contact, working on the verification team, after previously working on the fraud team at Santander.
It was a lovely environment to work in and after completing my induction and training period successfully I was able to thrive within the supportive team. After increasing my knowledge and skillset within the team I was able confidently interview for a 12 month contracted position which shortly turned into a permanent role. During my time on the team I was nominated to attend the emerging talent programme designed to help boast my skills and profile within the company. It was a great opportunity to strengthen my network connections and build my own personal brand within the firm. Being offered this development opportunity enabled my to utilize my skills and enhance my knowledge of the team procedures. This enabled my to further develop in my role and gain the job title of senior administrator, having increased knowledge within the team increased my work opportunities and I was able to progress even further, assisting with projects in an SME capacity.
Having such a varied knowledge within the aspects of the team led to my promotion as team leader in 2022, this was huge development opportunity and I believe that with the additional training opportunities I was able to thrive in the role. Most recently I have successfully completed the advanced lean practitioner certification and been awarded the accreditation for this.
Elizabeth Merrall | Investment Analyst | Top Tier Capital Partners
Lizzy currently works as an Analyst at Top Tier Capital Partners, a venture capital fund-of-funds headquartered in San Francisco.
Prior to joining Top Tier, Lizzy was an Analyst at BNP Paribas, working on their UK M&A team. At BNP Paribas, Lizzy worked on transactions for Pearson (FTSE 100), one of the top five chaebols in South Korea, and the UK’s largest independent solar and co-located battery storage developer.
Lizzy is originally from Malaysia and Scotland but has lived in over 8 countries including Brunei, New Zealand, and Qatar. In her spare time, she enjoys golfing, reading anything behavioural sciences-related, and volunteers for SEO London and Women in Banking and Finance.
Courtney Lollback | Senior Manager, Investment Strategy & Solutions | Macquarie Group
Courtney is a Vice President in Investment Strategy & Solutions within Macquarie Asset Management’s (MAM’s) Credit division.
She focuses on delivering strategic commercial projects for the growth of Private Credit, including the launch of new investment capabilities, identifying areas of growth, supporting the development of the business strategy, and the analysis and implementation of M&A opportunities.
Courtney is a creative thinker and problem solver in driving new opportunities. She is passionate about exploring untapped opportunities to connect capital to innovative investments that will provide impact at scale. This has involved a number of novel projects at the forefront of the investment management industry, including a new fund finance investment strategy in an emerging part of the private credit sector, designing a unique blended finance mandate to establish a first-of-its-kind e-mobility leasing company in India, and advising on Macquarie Group Foundation’s first social impact investment in the UK.
Prior to her current role, Courtney joined Macquarie as a graduate in the Sydney office, working across various teams dedicated to climate finance, insurance, and fund finance, before moving to the Private Credit investment team, initially focused on infrastructure debt transactions in London.
Courtney holds a Bachelor of Actuarial Studies / Bachelor of Economics from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.
Bhawana Haritwal | Senior Software Engineer | T. Rowe Price
I am a Senior Software Engineer at a global investment management firm.
In my role I engineer and develop modern cloud platform technologies used by portfolio managers and quantitative analysts to perform market analysis, develop trading algorithms and risk models.
I started my career with a cyber-security company as a traditional operations engineer. Since then, I have transitioned into various different roles – Quality Assurance, Automation Testing, Software Developer, Cloud Engineer and moved industries from cyber-security to finance. It is through building strong relationships, being consistent and delivering on commitments I have been able to accomplish this.
Outside of work, I sit on the committee for the British Computer Society’s (BCS) DevSecOps special interest group. I am also a mentor at BCS helping individuals at different stages in their career transition and excel in DevOps role. I am a STEM Ambassador and actively volunteer with local schools in London to promote STEM subjects and ignite young minds about the possibilities of a career in STEM. The technical committees/organisations that I serve outside of my employment have given me a unique perspective into understanding and fostering a closer relationship between people and technology.
I am also a proud member of the Toastmasters International organisation which has served as a catalyst in honing my public speaking skills. I have conducted technical workshops for women in tech communities and also been a speaker at various events.
I was honoured with the Women in Technology and Data Awards 2024 - Rising Star (end-user category) by WatersTechnology .