Cissy Chan | BlackRock
Cissy Chan is a quantitative researcher at BlackRock’s Systematic Fixed Income (SFI) team.
She is responsible for driving innovation in research techniques, using machine learning methods and novel data sources to generate new insights for SFI’s hedge fund and long-only portfolios. Her contributions span from building models and signals for alpha generation, to differentiated investment outcomes for real money clients.
Cissy started her career at BlackRock in 2014 after graduating from Imperial College London with a first class honours in Mathematics. Prior to her current role, she has also worked in the Financial Markets Advisory team, where she focused primarily on building non-performing loan valuation and default models for clients in Greece and Italy.
Cissy is also an engaged and devoted member of multiple social and diversity committees within the scope of the Fixed Income and Systematic businesses as well as the wider firm.
Rachel Harbers | Morgan Stanley
Born and bred in Australia I have always chased adventure and new experiences, from sea kayaking in Fiji for my Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition, completing a university social business internship in India or my placement with a Middle East strategy consulting firm.
My high school exchange to Benenden School in Kent introduced me to The City, and inspired me to seek a dynamic and international career path in the City of London.
I studied a Bachelor of Economics at The Women’s College, within the University of Sydney and was awarded ‘The Women’s College Scholarship’ for my skills in academic, sporting and cultural life. After graduating, I began my career in Private Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley in Sydney, and within six months I was asked to step up and lead the International Middle Office team whilst my Manager was on maternity leave. The leadership opportunity allowed me to recognise that I thrive working in a team environment where I lead projects and find solutions.
This drive directed my relocation in October 2018 to London with Morgan Stanley Investment Management. My role as a Transitions Manager gave me a broad understanding of the investment management life cycle and I was delighted that my immediate impact was recognised by being a Finalist in the 2019 Women in Investment Awards 'Rising Star of the Year'.
My recent move to the International Product team has involved regular contact with colleagues and clients across EMEA, Asia, and US and has been a dynamic forum for relationship management and negotiation skills across large scale projects. I thrive on a collaborative approach to effectively manage stakeholder expectations and shifting deadlines, within our team philosophy of innovation.
An early introduction to community volunteering through The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has led to fundraising for Cancer Research with a 1km ocean swim and sprint triathlon in Australia’s 40 degree summer heat to my current role as Co-Chair of the Future Leaders Shadow Board (FLSB) for Women in Banking & Finance (WIBF). I have led our recent forward strategy for the FLSB, and personally networked to recruit a diverse group of future leaders from across the industry and created an inclusive and collaborative board environment with my Co-Chair. Despite Covid-19, many opportunities abound for mentoring others through WIBF, and I am hoping to run my first charity half-marathon in 2021.
My vision as a WeAreTheCity Rising Star would be to focus on inspiring Future Leaders for the Investment Management industry. Through collaboration between WeAreTheCity and Women in Banking and Finance - I would aim to reach out to the wider community by running educational panel events with girls in high schools across the UK on the multiple roles and career paths available within the industry. It would be full circle - as a schoolgirl from Australia, I learnt of The City and it inspired me on my career pathway. To then represent The City to inspire other young women across diverse backgrounds to be the next generation of Future Leaders would be a rewarding way to pay it forward.
Amanda Kemp | Aon
My career in Asset Management spans over 15 years.
I come from a very working-class background. My father is a Lorry Driver and my mother was a cleaner. I went to a local state school and didn't really have any careers advice. A chance conversation led me to apply my first role with Mellon.
During my early career, I spent a lot of time hiding my background. It wasn't until I took a career break in 2013 that I realised when everything was stacked against me I did achieve so much and that I was a role model for my young children. It is my hard work and can-do attitude that is leading me on the path to success. It was my early years that made me who I am, and is something I need to celebrate. To use my platform to educate others. In 2017 I took the decision to reignite my career. Even though returners are now promoted, I found it quite difficult to get past the "no recent experience". So, I changed tact. Rather than focus on my past, I focussed on my future. I asked myself what is it I bring that is so different. The answer is my "to stubborn to fail" attitude, my values and experiences.
I started at Aon in their investment management business late 2017 - I am a valuable member of the team. My attention to detail and problem-solving attitude means that I can tackle complex tasks and find solution to issues. Always thinking outside the box and have delivered some outstanding solutions both for the business and clients.
I'm always willing to get involved, support others and bring my best ideas to the table. To drive the business forward despite the many headwinds and changing requirements.
I will continue to help those from a disadvantaged background, and career returners find their true potential.
Sian Toussaint | PwC
I joined the management consulting graduate scheme in 2014 after completing a summer internship with the firm in my second year of study at the University of Birmingham.
I received my first promotion after 18 months where I began to specialise in people-centred digital transformation, supporting clients across the public and private sectors. Within two years, I was promoted to Manager where my primary focus has been on driving people-centred change for our Insurance clients. Through my role, I have led critical components of our client’s people transformation agenda; this has included improving the employee and customer experience for an insurance company launching their first online sales channel through to implementing digital upskilling initiatives and leading discussions with functional executives in relation to futureproofing their workforce within the context of the London Market modernisation efforts.
Alongside my day job as a management consultant within our insurance practice, I have used the skills, confidence and knowledge gained through my work to involve myself in community focused initiatives. I have an external appointment as a Governor Chair at a primary school in my local borough of Tower Hamlets, where I work with the broader governing body to improve the educational offering and resources. Having such a role in London’s poorest and arguably most class-divided borough has really centred my desire to focus on equal opportunities in every facet of my life.
I am extremely committed to improving black and female representation at every level. I have been invited to speak on external panels including the launch of the Management Consultancies Association (MCA) Women in Consulting group to share my views with over 200 attendees alongside industry leaders in support of increasing female representation in the profession. This led to my nomination and election as the co-Chair of the MCA’s Diversity & Inclusion Working Group, where I am currently driving the development of best practice guidance for 60+ management consulting firms to support diversity, equity and inclusion within their organisations.
I also have a leadership role within the Financial Services Consulting Black Network and have used this platform to implement sponsorship and broader talent management initiatives to improve the black staff experience and create a more inclusive environment for everyone, supported by leaders within our practice.
Rebecca Stewart | Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty
I am currently a Key Account Manager at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty.
After completing my BA in Sociology in 2011, from the University of Bristol, I was always determined to build a career in the Insurance sector. However, following the completion of my degree I was lucky enough to obtain an internship in the London 2012 Olympic marketing team, which was given the rather easy job of galvanising the nation for the games. My team was specifically focused on organising all of the non-commercial projects in order to enhance the ‘spectator experience’ for the games, alongside organising events and projects around London. The games was obviously a once in a lifetime experience, and I loved working on the project before embarking on my career in the City.
My first role in the Insurance sector was working at Willis Tower Watson, where I was a Wholesale broker placed in the North American Property from January 2013 until September 2016. The role entailed placing and serving complex property business from the US into the European market in London, with a particular focus on large natural catastrophe exposed programs. Whilst I learnt a lot from this role, and built some fantastic relationships, I eventually decided my skills lied within the relationship side of the business, and so moved across to Allianz (AGCS) to focus on servicing FTSE250 companies. The key aspect of my role is to maintain and enhance AGCS’s relationships with new and existing corporate clients and brokers, produce strategic action plans that seeks to increase retention, new business, up-sells and cross-sells across AGCS and the wider Allianz Group. I have worked in this role for nearly five years and thoroughly enjoy it. I am lucky enough to work with a wide variety of fantastic clients, that include everyone from leading fashion houses to global defence giants, which makes the role exciting and interesting as no day is ever the same!
Neeru Verma | PwC
Understanding insights, coupled with the right technology to ensure it is not only providing a robust solution but also an enhanced customer experience, has been the key principal within my career when delivering transformative programmes across the Financial Services Sector.
After graduating from Aston University, I spent a year in retail banking, before joining the IBM graduate scheme, where I started my career in software services sales. I soon decided to specialise within financial services and the world of data, but it was the analytics, and making the difference that really got me excited. Just over 8 years and few small moves in between, I have found my new ‘work home’ at PwC.
Over the last three years my focus has been within the Insurance industry and I have successfully delivered complex technology solutions to insurance clients, changing the status-quo on how they serve their customers through improvements in claims and policy platforms.
I’m fiercely passionate about enabling people to bring their best selves to work every day and I strongly believe a winning team is the key to success. Therefore, with successful delivery being my core goal, I also wear multiple hats where I can invest in my teams and the client through knowledge transfer and mentoring high performing versatile teams across multiple geographies.
Alongside my delivery role it has been very important for me to promote and actively make a difference within Gender and Inclusiveness, particularly regarding cultural awareness. Having come from a BAME background, it is important for me to break down the barriers and perceptions and create a platform for an integrated working environment. I am involved in several activities around the firm: I have worked with leadership to share and lead on gender and cultural differences, and how this can create different behaviours and dynamics. I also play an active role in supporting and co-leading the Tech Associate group for new graduates and supporting the technology careers of many team members, by delivering coaching and training sessions in insurance industry digital technologies and agile delivery methodologies.
Outside of my work life I am passionate about travel, fitness, and family. Travel being so much that I have also qualified and set up as an independent travel agent with an aim to grow a team and provide further career opportunities of my own in the future.
Amarbir Dhesi | PwC
I joined PwC in 2010 having graduated from the University of Sussex with a first class degree in Mathematics with Economics.
I've always worked in general insurance and I learnt the basics doing audits and working on the administration of one of the largest ever non-life insurance insolvencies at the time. I was fortunate enough to work with a wonderful team of people who encouraged me to continue to grow by working on a wide variety of projects such as Part VII transfers, Mergers & Acquisitions and Schemes of Arrangement. Through this work I also became a member of the Insurance and Reinsurance Legacy Association (IRLA) which allowed me to expand my network outside of PwC.
Over the years I've worked with London Market insurers, Lloyd's Syndicates, personal lines insurers and large global commercial insurance companies. This experience helped me to develop my understanding of different markets and the unique challenges faced by my clients. I was then able to better support them by tailoring my delivery on different projects, including helping clients design deal structures to take to market, assisting them with regulatory submissions and applications and helping them to realise value in their business through restructuring or commutations. I've always been passionate about quality and the best part of my job has been seeing the appreciation of my clients when I help them resolve their problems and overcome their challenges.
I've been able to share insights I've gained through my experience of latent insurance liabilities with the wider market. I've presented at the International Association of Asbestos and Pollution Reinsurers and I recently presented at the live virtual launch of the latest PwC Annual Global Run-off Survey.
I've also been able to take on more of a people role within PwC which has included establishing a Wellbeing Champions network within the actuarial team. Through this network I've managed to design and implement various workshops aimed to address resilience, mental health and understanding privilege.
Amy Whitehead | London Underground
After graduating from the University of Leicester with a 1st class honours BSc Mathematic, I applied and successfully joined the extremely competitive TfL’s Project Management graduate scheme.
Whilst on the scheme I have worked on a diverse portfolio of projects varying in size and complexity; including Cycle Superhighways (Feasibility), Fit for the Future (Concept Design) and Earls Court Development Project (Delivery/Handover). I also had a six-month placement in project sponsorship where I was accountable for 7 Commercial Development projects.
During my time on the graduate programme, I completed my MSc in Project Management at UCL (University College London). Juggling my studies with a full-time career proved difficult, however, due to my persistence, resilience and time management skills, I successfully graduated with a Distinction and was asked to present my dissertation findings at a RICS Conference in April 2018.
After the graduate scheme I became an Assistant Project Manager in LU (London Underground) Asset Development, which managed large scale enhancement projects with 3rd Party investments. I worked across several projects including Lillie Bridge Depot Facilitation Project, London Road Sidings Feasibility Study, Tottenham Hale Station Upgrade (£50m) and Colindale Station Redevelopment (£27m). I was responsible for the management of different workstreams within these projects as well as a stakeholder engagement during a difficult period for LU, where there were several significant organisational changes.
Due to my experience in delivering during the design phases, I became Acting Project Manager for Colindale Station Redevelopment in January 2018 and after a successful interview process, I became Project Manager in May 2018. I managed the project through concept design; successfully obtaining approval from the London Fire Brigade and LU discipline engineers for the use of Glulam Timber in the station, an unprecedented achievement for a LU station. I also led the team and obtained planning permission from Barnet for the station and the adjacent site development. One of the biggest challenges was to overcome the conflicting interests of the station and the adjacent site development in terms of interfaces with structure, delivery timescales and logistics.
Working on Colindale Station Redevelopment has provided me with the opportunity to challenge the norm and use my initiative to find project efficiencies, whilst ensuring that quality and health and safety is not compromised. One key example of this is the Construction Support Study that was completed as part of the procurement of detailed design. This approach had some significant positive outcomes including reducing the Estimated Final Cost by £6.9m and improving the construction sequencing, reducing the station closure period, by more than half, from 27 weeks to 12 weeks.
After being identified in March 2020 as a future leader within Renewals and Enhancements (R&E), I was invited and succeeded in applying for an Executive Officer role. This position gave me responsibility for leading key business improvement initiatives on behalf of the Head of Renewals (R&E 2021 Initiative) and provided exposure and input to senior leadership decision making. I was able to develop effective working relationships with Directors, Senior Managers and staff across LU and promote positive strategic relationships across R&E. I have been instrumental in ensuring that R&E wide initiatives are applied in the Renewals Programme and identifying any potential issues, and solutions, with the subsequent roll out.
I am due to start as Lead Project Manager for Infrastructure on the Safe Track Access, a high priority project with aggressive timescales.
Leading important projects and teams as a young female has been challenging due to underlying biases around younger people and females in the construction industry. However, due to my motivation and proactive approach to achieving projects, targets and business objectives, as well as constantly striving to challenge and look for efficiencies, I am able to overcome these barriers.
Emma Palmer | Rail Delivery Group
Emma graduated with a BA in Management & Marketing, then went on to complete an MSc in Travel Management.
She joined the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) as Strategic Lead for Innovative Ticketing in 2016. She has been working to develop the industry customer proposition for Near Field Communication (NFC) ticketing and technical solutions that will deliver a revolutionary ticketing experience for customers.
She recently completed a 6 month secondment at Chiltern Railways as Head of Revenue. Now back at RDG she is leading an industry work stream on revenue recovery and commercial agreements.
Whilst working full time and being a mum to two small children she is also studying for a Diploma in Strategy and Innovation at Saïd Business School.
Emma is leading conversations in the rail industry with regards to improving Diversity & Inclusion within the rail industry. She has a clear goal to see better representation of minorities at senior levels and inspire others.
For 13 years Emma spent time her spare time as a legal advocate for young people in care as she is passionate about children's' right.
Alexandra Egge | Mott MacDonald
Alexandra is a Town Planner who takes an innovative approach to the analysis of wellbeing and social impacts of the built and natural environment.
She has an MSc in Spatial Planning and Urban Design from the Bartlett School of Planning at University College London, for which she was awarded the RTPI Prize for Academic Achievement. She began her career as a Transport Planner specialising in scheme appraisal and analysing the wider impacts of integrated transportation infrastructure upon social and economic outcomes. She developed an industry-leading tool, the Wellbeing Impact Evaluation (WELLIE) to embed the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act within the Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance (WelTAG) Process which enables practitioners to maximise the contribution of transport infrastructure towards wider community benefits and builds these benefits into the business cases for schemes. She was awarded the Royal Town Planning Institute Young Planner of the Year 2019, the Constructing Excellence Wales 'Future Leader' Award and the CIHT Cymru 'Small Transportation Project or Study' award for her work to develop, promote and implement WELLIE on projects throughout Wales. In 2019 she published 'Rethinking Wellbeing in Transport Appraisal' which she presented at the Transport Practitioner's Meeting, in addition to hosting workshops and lectures for Welsh Government and professional institutions to share her research on Designing Infrastructure for Wellbeing.
In 2020 Alex progressed into her current role as a Town Planner where she builds upon her experience and expertise to create communities which support sustainable wellbeing through a holistic approach towards placemaking. She is currently developing and presenting a module on the theme of Sustainable Placemaking within Cities which will be presented to an international cohort of Cities Practitioners. She is also developing research to explore the impact of spatial psychology upon place-based solutions to health inequalities as part of the post-COVID19 recovery for city centres.