Rob Preston | Director | Amazon
I started my career at PwC where I qualified as a Chartered Accountant, working in Audit & Business Advisory Services.
Following spells in FP&A, Financial Controller and Finance Director roles at Pentland Brands and Virgin Galactic, I joined Tesco in 2018. During my time at Tesco, I was fortunate enough to work in a number of different roles in the UK, China, Thailand and the Czech Republic before returning to London late in 2016.
I joined Amazon at the start of 2017, where I took a role in Finance Operations partnering with business and technology teams across Amazon`s diverse business channels to address issues in our end to end systems and processes which prevent us from paying invoices and collecting cash on time.
Jennifer Grint | Consultant | FTI Consulting
Jenny is ambitious and determined to use her relentless optimism and psychological background to drive changes in the workplace.
Jenny consistently demonstrates excellence and a passion for people, focussing on the human aspect to encourage the best from her team.
At university, Jenny juggled her degree in Psychological and Behavioural Sciences with tutoring, interning as a Content Creator, and working as a Research Assistant. She enjoyed psychology because she enjoyed learning what creates a nurturing environment that encourages success. Jenny used this to get her pupils into their desired schools, and to drive the content of her internship. Jenny was the second Tongan to graduate from Cambridge; the first with a first-class degree, a prize for her results, and a published research paper on the impact of the digital world on adolescent social needs.
In her 2.5 years at FTI, she has assisted on several projects relating to fraud allegations against large banks while simultaneously working towards her ACA. Continuing her focus on people, she helped start two internal workstreams to improve communications and transparency within the workplace. Most recently, she was made lead Project Manager across two multi-million-pound contracts, at just age 23. She leads senior stakeholder management, coordinates multiple workstreams, and facilitates delivery of the projects overall.
Jenny is an advocate of finding a healthy work-life balance, and continues to make time for mentoring young students, as well as baking. She’s excited to see where her career goes, and hopes to build a workspace that is more human!
Natasha Percy-Baxter | Principal | PercyBaxter Wealth Management
It was during the pandemic that I quit my job working in investor relations for a boutique corporate finance business because I knew it wasn`t my dream career.
After a bit of soul-searching, I discovered that I wanted to help people better understand their finances as well as create a strategy to harness the power of their money. The problem was, I wasn`t qualified, and I didn`t know how to get into the industry. After a lot of researching, I applied to join St. James`s Place Academy, and was happily accepted. This allowed me to retrain and get qualified as a wealth manager over a 6 month period. I then established my own wealth management practice - PercyBaxter Wealth Management - towards the end of 2021. It gives me great joy to work with hard-working professionals and small businesses to get their finances on track and instil in them the confidence of knowing they are making the right decisions when it comes to their finances and their future.
Nicola Semple | Career and Confidence Coach | Nicola Semple Coaching
I am a Career and Confidence Coach, and host of The Career Confidence Podcast.
I help my clients to build their confidence, achieve their career goals and make maximum contribution to their organisation.
The theme of my 20 year + career has been transformation. I began at Accenture as a Business Change Consultant leading organisational transformation. I joined KPMG as the Chief Operating Officer of the Public Sector Advisory business. I then moved into Leadership and Talent Development at Ernst and Young, facilitating transformation through learning. Now with my coaching work, I support clients through their own personal transformation.
When I work with clients I draw upon my extensive training and coaching qualifications. I am accredited by the International Coaching Federation, a Certified Mindset Coach including NLP, Timeline Therapy, Hypnosis and a Professional Mindfulness Practitioner. I also hold Level A and B accreditation with the British Psychological Society.
My approach to coaching is based on 3Cs:
- Clarity: I help my clients to start with the end in mind. We create a tailored plan to get them from where they are to where they want to be.
- Courage: I support my clients to challenge the beliefs, habits and behaviours that have been holding them back.
- Compassion: My clients will hit bumps in the road. I encourage them to be kind to themselves and learn from the bumps.
Renata Yussupova | Senior Manager | PwC
I am an accomplished professional with a diverse background and a strong commitment to making a positive impact in the field of technology and energy sector.
Born and raised in Kazakhstan, I embarked on an academic journey that laid the foundation for my career: I was awarded a full sponsorship from the governmental program of Kazakhstan to pursue higher education in the United States, with a BS in Computer Science and MS in Technology Management.
I then returned to Kazakhstan with a desire to contribute to the development of local talent and give back to my home country. I initially worked in the space of audit and business processes. Recognising my passion for advisory work, I transitioned my career to provide strategic guidance to organisations specifically around ERP transformations.
In 2015, I moved to the PwC UK. I lead workstreams across the global implementation of the SOx program in a FTSE3 company. This experience further solidified my reputation as a capable and results-driven professional.
Building on this I was entrusted with a leadership role as a strategic PMO at an energy sector pan-industry program that I worked in for two years from 2020. In this capacity, I effectively coordinated over 150 program participants and five central delivery partners.
Since then, I have remained in the energy sector, focusing on delivering energy bill support schemes and conducting reviews for the energy regulator. My dedication and their ability to navigate complex projects have made me a trusted expert in my field.
Rukevwe Laura Akpowaye | Technical Business Analyst | PwC
I am a Technical Business Analyst with a profound focus on driving innovation and digital transformation initiatives and fostering organizational change.
Throughout my career, I`ve undertaken diverse roles, from conducting user research and supporting digital product launches to implementing systemic changes. My focus extends to orchestrating comprehensive communication strategies that facilitate seamless transitions across varied business landscapes.
Beyond my professional capacity, I am fervently dedicated to making a positive impact within both the workplace and the broader community. My passion for social mobility, education, and gender equality is evident in my active involvement in initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion and bridging the digital divide, especially within the tech sector. My commitment to fostering a supportive workplace extends to my involvement in various committees where I constantly advocate for new joiners, ensuring their smooth integration into the organization while championing diversity and inclusion.
Engaging in social causes, I`ve volunteered with non-governmental organizations, leading sensitization workshops addressing teenage pregnancy, social misconduct, and abuse among young women. Recently, I`ve contributed to program design and implementation for a Tech upskilling initiative with a not-for-profit organisation in Africa, furthering my commitment to bridging the digital divide.
My journey reflects a persistent pursuit of excellence, leadership, and a profound belief in the transformative power of diversity and inclusion to fuel innovation and positive change. Through mentoring and active engagement in impactful initiatives, I aspire to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future and become a seasoned leader in the Tech industry
Carolyn Barnard | Audit Apprentice | KPMG
My career in Accountancy at KPMG began in 2018 when I joined as an Audit Apprentice straight from Sixth Form on a six year apprenticeship in the Milton Keynes/Watford regional areas.
Since joining the firm I have taken on key roles in both audits and wider departmental activities, consistently contributing to the success of our team and the firm as a whole. In 2023, I became the audit In-charge on two of my department`s largest and high-risk audit engagements of which one was a first year audit. My project management, coaching, and up-front planning led to the first engagement receiving a gold award in the Audit Quality and Culture awards within the firm.
In addition to my day to day role working on audits I was selected to participate and contribute to a high-profile audit tender representing both my department and KPMG.
I have also endeavoured to embrace further opportunities beyond my role within KPMG, such as becoming an assistant draw adjudicator for the National Lottery in 2021. This includes working as an assistant independent adjudicator for all National Lottery draw types which are held in the UK. This includes Euromillions, Lotto, Set for Life and Thunderball.
In addition to this I have also made use of KPMG`s volunteering hours which are offered to all employees by taking part in local volunteering projects through the firm. This has notable included time spent working with local schools as part of National Numeracy Day to promote the importance of numeracy skills.
Faridah Ramirez | Team Manager support | Ethos Farm
I've always been involved in customer service from working 10+ years in the retail field.
Being able to work myself up the ladder to where I am today. I have always had a passion to work at the frontline for guests and to bring a sense amazing customer service to my role.
Gemma McLaughlin | Associate Director | Gravita
11 years ago I arrived in London from Derry, embarking on a transformative journey filled with new experiences and growth.
Although moving to London was not short of its challenges, the excitement and opportunities that came with it made the relocation truly worthwhile.
My career in London began at Simpson Wreford in Southeast London, where I progressed rapidly from a Senior position to a Managerial role in a mix of audit and accounts, and ended up staying there for 6 years. Seeking further skill development, I moved to Fitzgerald and Law (now Zedra), assuming the role of Audit Manager. Here, I was focused on overseeing the audit and preparation of financial statements under both UK GAAP and IFRS of UK subsidiaries of overseas companies. At this time, Covid struck, bringing with it a new era of remote work and professional challenges such as overworking, an unclear work-life balance, and stress.
Fast forward to 2024, I am now an Associate Director with Gravita (legacy ABG team) and flourishing in this role. Through seeking professional help and moving roles, I put better boundaries in place and am now reaping the rewards of a more balanced work-life dynamic. However, I would never change the struggles I faced as they have fostered my personal and professional growth. I now use these coping mechanisms I learnt to mentor my team while maintaining my own self-belief. I am now pushing myself to the next level with confidence and am excited to see what’s next.
Helen Lees | Senior Sales Manager | Fine & Country
I am the Senior Sales Manager for the Mid and South Essex operation of Fine & Country based out of our Brentwood office, with 20 years property experience and a background in the airline industry.
Having previously gained a wealth of knowledge at British Airways and Virgin Airlines - both extremely fast paced and demanding work environments needing first class customer management skills I moved across to the property sector over 20 years ago. I have worked within various estate agency positions at a range of organisations nationally.