Suborna Akthar | Senior Recruitment Advisor | Simmons & Simmons Adaptive
I am a Senior Recruitment Advisor at Simmons Adaptive; the flexible talent programme for Simmons & Simmons.
My role focusses on sourcing, placing, and managing talent for interim legal positions, both within the firm and for our clients. After graduating in 2017, I joined a legal recruitment agency specialising in the public sector, where I developed expertise in connecting top talent with central and local government clients In 2021, I joined Simmons Adaptive, bringing my recruitment expertise to a broader range of industries. I work collaboratively with our Partners to deliver tailored people solutions that keep both our clients and consultants at the heart of our decision-making process. Since joining, I've been promoted to Senior Advisor, where I support the training and development of new team members and initiatives to drive the success of our team. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is using my recruitment expertise to help the firm achieve its DE&I goals. I'm deeply committed to this cause and actively contribute to firmwide networks such as the Muslim Network, where I co-hosted the 2024 Iftar Dinner for Simmons and its clients. My work with initiatives like the Young Talent Programme and the School Mentoring Programme has allowed me to guide aspiring legal professionals, offering interview tips and career guidance to young talent. I am also proud to speak on panels at both the firm and my University, discussing important topics such as Muslim representation in the City and alternative career paths for women in law.
Dunja Relic | Trainee Solicitor | Mercurae Law
Dunja Relic is the sole Trainee at Mercurae Law, where she began her training in September 2023 while concurrently pursuing an LLM at BPP University.
As the firm’s only trainee, Dunja works closely with the team, gaining broad exposure to client work. Her legal journey is grounded in a strong foundation in legal technology: before joining Mercurae, she served as Product Specialist Team Lead at a legal tech company, where she advised senior legal teams, including those at BBC Studios, on legal tech implementation and case support, while leading a team of three.
Dunja’s commitment to equity and inclusion spans over a decade of volunteer work supporting underrepresented communities. Beyond her professional path, Dunja is the founder of When Life Gives You Lemons (WLGYL), an initiative dedicated to empowering first-generation immigrant women and girls through skills training, mentorship, and confidence-building. WLGYL helps participants prepare for professional life through practical workshops and community-building experiences. Mercurae Law has been a strong supporter of the initiative having previously provided work experience opportunities to participants and regularly hosting WLGYL events in its offices.
Federica Pisano | Solution Consultant | Guidewire Software
Starting with a passion for learning and communication, I went from Italy through Germany to the UK, from translating to branding, from market research to advertising, finally landing in the world of solution consulting in insurtech, where I finally feel at home.
The vastness of the industry and its fast-paced advancements, combined with the nuances of diverse regional markets, make insurtech incomparably challenging and interesting for me. At the same time, being surrounded by top-notch talents and a warm, supportive environment who want everyone to succeed and thrive gives me the energy and enthusiasm I need when the goings gets tougher. Needless to say, it is thanks to them that I am here today!
Rosie Nutt | Corporate Liability Restructuring Manager | PwC
I began my career at PwC as a summer intern while at university, before joining full-time in the insurance audit team.
After three years and achieving my qualification, I sought a new challenge and moved across to the Deals Restructuring team, where I have spent the past c.four years specialising in advising non-life run-off insurance clients on restructurings and transactions. My role has spanned both sell-side deal advisory and distressed restructuring. I have worked closely with clients on insurance business transfers, portfolio disposals, and broader restructuring strategies. Through this, I have developed deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory and commercial challenges, helping clients achieve their strategic.
Janice Earl-Summers | Collaboration Consultant | PwC
For over 30 years, I've thrived in diverse IT roles across Insurance, Telecoms, and Banking, tackling complex challenges.
My passion lies in collaborative problem-solving, uniting diverse teams to achieve impactful results. I'm driven by curiosity and a relentless commitment to exceeding expectations, consistently delivering solutions that make a real difference whilst having fun.
Anshuman Bhalla | Technology Risk Manager | RSA Insurance Group
Since a very young age, I was very passionate about making my career within Technology space and grow as a career driven women in STEM.
This passion led me to become a Computer Science Engineer and pursue Masters in Business administration with information Security specialisation. I started my career in India with a Big4 consulting organisation as an Associate Consultant in Risk Advisory team where I found my other passion to resolve problems and assist people within cyber and risk domains. Very quickly, I made a personal brand around great delivery and managed revenue driven projects. I was promoted twice in a span of 3.5 years tenure that gave me confidence to dream big and led me to move across countries. I joined another Big4 organisation in the UK which was a lateral shift for me in terms of responsibilities. I started exploring more on the Data and regulatory compliance domains which are equally important parts of the Tech world. I led projects of worth 1m there and got promoted to Manager level in a short span of 1.5 years. I was doing great when another opportunity came in my way to assist a start up company with their AI and Data governance frameworks and decided to ride the tide to learn more. After learning loads in fast paced startup world, I joined Insurance industry as a Tech Risk Manager 2 years ago where I started mentoring people and contributing towards community to make a difference and motivate others.
Sachini Yapa | Senior Project Manager | QBE Insurance
I am a results-driven individual with a background in software engineering, most recently leading a large-scale transformation initiative.
I have explored different roles, from Business Analyst to Service Delivery Lead, and I have found that anywhere I get to interact (and hopefully inspire) a team is where I do best. Moving from New Zealand to London was a bold step in expanding my career, and QBE offered me the perfect platform. As an Application Delivery Lead, I managed the delivery and maintenance of critical information management systems for over 1,000 users. Seeking new challenges, I was honoured to take the lead on a major transformation project for QBE: the delivery of Lloyd's Blueprint Two. Thriving in a fast-paced environment is energising, but it's just as important to recognise when to recharge to be your best self and continue serving others. I strive to role model this via wellbeing initiatives at work. I've recognised that it's easier to make a lasting difference when working with like-minded people. In 2008, I founded the Auckland Young Professionals network for The Institution of Engineering and Technology and continue to volunteer today, with the goal of nurturing STEM talent pipelines. Whether leading transformation projects, mentoring emerging professionals, or promoting mental wellbeing, I aim to make a meaningful impact in all that I do, bringing positive energy to those around me.
Eleanor Nixon | People Analytics Product Manager | Barclays
I began my career as a Human Resources Graduate at Barclays, experiencing roles in teams in Business Partnering, People Analytics and Early Careers.
I now work in the Data Products Team in (People) Analytics, a fascinating area of the bank that works on elevating data and insights for the internal organization. Beyond my main roles, I have held volunteer leadership roles in the Graduate Apprentice Intern Network, a 4500+ membership network in the bank that focuses on creating a community for past and present early careers programme colleagues. Starting out as an ambassador in the communications team in late 2022, I moved on to hold the role of Communications Co-Lead, then have now been Co-Chair of the network since April 2024.
Jessica Setter | Employee Relations Consultant, EMEA | Macquarie Bank
I grew up in a coastal town on the east coast of Australia where I studied a double degree in Law and Business. At 23 I entered the corporate world as a law graduate at a Sydney firm.
I obtained my NSW legal practising certificate in 2016 (which I still hold) and worked in private practice for about 4 and a half years – predominately in the employment legal team. In 2019 I took a big bold bet and left private practice to become an in-house employment lawyer at a fast-paced technology company. Two years later, I took an even bolder bet and moved with the company to London where I helped support employment legal matters impacting their Northern and Eastern Europe operations. In 2023 an opportunity to take on a hybrid legal / employee relations role arose. The opportunity allowed me to continue to live in London and maintain a connection to my home country. In this role I am at the forefront of providing commercial advice on a broad range of employment matters with the overall aim of maintaining and fostering a positive work environment. I am a calm, practical and solutions-focused advisor who invests time in building genuine relationships with my stakeholders. In my roles, I have supported on people matters across various locations in APAC and EMEA and I am currently based in London. Outside of work, I am a lover of travel, ceramics and the ocean. I also consider myself an amateur (but persistent) cook.
Lucinda Pounds | Talent, Learning & Development Manager | Compre