Victoria Anderson | Carter-Ruck
Victoria is a solicitor in Carter-Ruck's commercial litigation team and the CEO of youth engagement and social mobility charity, Big Voice London.
After completing her education at a state school and sixth form college, Victoria graduated with a first class in law from the University of Exeter and later obtained an LLM in International Commercial Law from the same university, graduating with a distinction at the top of her class.
Having trained and qualified at Carter-Ruck, Victoria has gained experience in both commercial and media matters and has assisted in proceedings in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. She has assisted in the Claimants’ legal teams in Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman v ARY Network Ltd (a libel and harassment trial which led to the first ever publication order under s.12 of the Defamation Act 2013 and a damages award of £185,000) and PJS v News Group Newspapers (the first case in which the Supreme Court has given judgment on an interim application restraining a breach of privacy).
Victoria is also extremely passionate about improving diversity in the legal profession. Alongside her work at Carter-Ruck, Victoria is also the CEO of Big Voice London, a social mobility charity which seeks to engage young people from non-traditional backgrounds in law and legal policy. Big Voice London runs projects for young people each year, including: a Mooting Competition in association with the UK Supreme Court and the country's only Model Law Commission.
Lucy Walker | Sarasin & Partners
Lucy is Head of Third Party Funds at Sarasin & Partners. She joined the firm as a fund analyst in 2011, became a fund manager in 2012 and was promoted to head of the team in 2016.
Lucy manages £300m in a range of multi-asset portfolios and advises on £1.8 billion of assets in third party funds.
Prior to joining Sarasin, she worked in the multimanager team at HSBC Global Asset Management.
Lucy has a BSc Economics and is a CFA Charterholder.
She lives in East London with her husband and their young son.
Erika Oteri | Bloomberg
Accomplished and energetic sales management professional with over 15 years of experience. Successful in delivering sustainable revenue and profit gains in competitive markets. Well-versed in leading staff and mentoring with experience instilling motivation and dedication.
I have a versatile skill set with various experience in sales, customer service and product management in private and public organization. In the past I have worked both in public organizations like Lombardia Regional Government, NGOs in Milan, UN in Geneva and in private investment companies like AXA Investment management after finally landing in the fin-tech sector, where I am currently developing my career since 2007.
Recognized analytical and problem-solving skills, I define myself as a self-starter and self-learner with distinctive communication skills, drive to succeed and a constant will to learn and acquire new skills. I speak several languages ( Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch and a bit of Chinese) and I have always been involved and supported community-based events and causes where I believe I can contribute to the achievement of the greatest good. I am co-leading the Bloomberg Women community and my focus is to develop effective partnerships with local charities and organizations to support events on gender-awareness, relationship-building and career development opportunities to encourage women to be leaders in technology and share their passions with people in need.
Currently, I am responsible for the FX and Corporations advanced team in the Analytics desk in Bloomberg. As a team leader, I take pride in diversity and inclusion and in bringing out the best of people and set them to success. I am always striving to bring 100% to the work that I do and my goal is to build a strong and over-achieving team where team work is the key to success. As a result I have been selected for Leadership excellence course in 2017 for my company globally.
Senasa Rajendramoorthy | Investec Asset Management
I am currently working in the Technical Marketing team at Investec Asset Management (IAM); this function is the last link before the distribution of marketing communications, and helps ensure us comply with our regulatory obligations. My role involves reviewing and approving global marketing collateral across various media to ensure they meet the marketing standards in the various jurisdictions in which these are distributed; this is a very meticulous process and requires an eye for detail and plenty of patience! The marketing collateral in scope of Technical Marketing approval includes hundreds of documents including funds and investment strategy sales aids, websites, manager commentaries, podcasts, videos, press releases…etc. Previously, I was selected to participate in the QConsult programme (sponsored by J.P. Morgan), to undertake a Consultant Intern role at a global asset management bank; this was whilst I was studying at Queen Mary University for my degree in Mathematics with Finance and Accounting.
Eloise Veljovic | Royal Bank of Canada
Eloise Veljovic is an Associate in the Relationship Management team for RBC Wealth Management in the British Isles.
Based in London, Eloise is responsible for managing and expanding the bank's relationships with key intermediaries including private client law and accountancy firms. She was previously responsible for providing wealth management solutions to High Net Worth and Ultra High Net Worth clients, with a focus on services tailored to corporate executives and their families.
Eloise is committed to encouraging and promoting Diversity in Banking and is an active member of the internal RFuture, RWomen and the RBC MEA networks. Eloise has also spent time throughout her career working with junior talent to help develop the pipeline of future leaders.
Prior to joining RBC in March 2017, Eloise worked as an analyst at Goldman Sachs from July 2014 and has previously held roles at Saatchi & Saatchi and The Guardian.
Born in London, Eloise graduated from the University of Leeds with a BA (Hons) in International Relations and is currently working towards the Investment Advice Diploma (IAD) and Private Client Investment Advice and Management (PCIAM) qualifications from the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments.
Away from work Eloise studies Arabic at Kings College London (KCL) and enjoys watching classical and contemporary ballet. Eloise also enjoys travelling and fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Society through her long-distance running, including both full and half marathons.
Victoria Pelishatska | Bloomberg
I am born and raised in Bulgaria. From a very early age, my parents taught me to cherish travelling to different countries. Ever since, I have accommodated a fascination for communicating and collaborating with people in an international environment. I hold law degrees from Netherlands, Scotland and England. Shortly after my UCL Masters graduation, I worked in the banking legal departments of a couple of prestigious London City law firms. While involved with some of the hottest banking sector litigations, my passion for finance was growing ever stronger.
To nourish further my financial curiosity, I took a job at Bloomberg Analytics Department. Only after a few months of work and training, I became Fixed Income Advanced Specialist. My most exciting project was convincing banks’ risk departments to adopt the Bloomberg proprietary model for counterparty risk evaluations.
Soon after the success of that project, I was promoted to a Relationship Representative for European Emerging markets, based out of London. This is a position I hold to this date. I gladly took this opportunity to bring western technology and Bloomberg solutions to emerging markets and thus establishing new standards of work in that region.
Outside work, I have an appreciation for art and history museums but my greatest hobby is aviation. So far I have co-piloted a fighter jet and a helicopter.
Danielle Treharne | BIMA
I have always had a passion for driving positive social impact through sustainable business. Starting my career in strategy consulting at Javelin Group, I supported blue-chip and private equity clients including M&S, Gucci Group, Bridgepoint, and Galeries Lafayette, working across Europe, Ukraine, Turkey and the US. Through this work, I became convinced of the fundamental need for customer-centricity to be at the core of a company's DNA; in order to have a sustainable operation, businesses must continuously question whether they are serving - and delighting - their customers.
Wishing to combine commercial acumen with positive social change, I moved to DR Congo at the age of 28 to run the largest UK government-funded programme of its kind; through Project Élan, we worked within six sectors of the Congolese economy, ultimately driving sustainable change for over 1 million low-income Congolese people.
In Uganda, I was the first BIMA employee on the ground, setting up the mobile phone-delivered health and life microinsurance business from scratch, and responsible for its entire legal and operational setup. Over the subsequent two years, I scaled the operation to a headcount of ninety young Ugandans, and ensured that hundreds of our customers' claims were paid, supporting them in their time of need.
I am now Business Development Manager for Africa, responsible for growing our geographical footprint and bring financial protection to previously under-served customers across the African continent.
I hold a First Class BA (Hons) in Modern Languages (French, Italian) from The University of Oxford.
Samantha Eustace | Zurich Insurance
Back in 2015, I joined the Insurance Industry on an Operations and Underwriting Apprenticeship at Zurich. Having been approached by a recruiter, offered an interview and being successful in the process, I left A-Levels after just 1 year to complete my Apprenticeship with the sight that I wanted to work and learn whilst doing so. I have spoken openly about my apprenticeship many times to the media, and always say that it was scary to start with - being a little fish in a big corporate pond, but I have had many a chance to prove myself. At the age of just 20, I feel that I have already started to make my mark in the industry.
In 2016 I was named Insurance Apprentice of the Year in the Insurance Time Awards. This came after a years hard work in my new role working alongside global commercial underwriters in the London Market. In 2016 I passed my three exams over the space of 8 months to achieve my Cert CII qualification. During my apprenticeship, I also completed 58 pieces of coursework, and 2 final assessment interviews to be rewarded at the end of 18 months with a Distinction in Providing Financial Services.
For the last 6 months of my Apprenticeship, I took on a Project role in a transition piece in the UK. The role included me training and supporting a new team of individuals whilst measuring their KPIs and improving the efficiency of working through methods such as offshoring.
Back in August 2017, I was ready for a new challenge and that came in the form of my current role in Uk Corporate Affairs. Now, in my day job, I am covering: Public Affairs, Media Relations (PR), Corporate Social Responsibilities and Communications. Much of my work is engaging with key internal, industry, trade body, political and other external stakeholders.
Last year, I mentored a student as part of a programme to support disabled and disadvantaged young people. During our time together, I support their development in communication skills, confidence in dealing with people, how to tackle challenges whilst also supporting in producing a CV and practicing interview skills. My mentee then gained a place in a college to study towards their goal of becoming a car mechanic.
I spend many hours volunteering at schools around my local area, London and Farnborough. I go into schools and teach a variety of ages of students about Financial Literacy, Employability skills, Insurance, CV writing and Interview skills. During my time with the schools, I have also mentored young female talent to encourage them to enter a STEM related career (students who are already studying towards this).
In London, I am a part of our local Zurich Cares Charity committee, helping us raise funds for our local partners (5 charities who benefit our local area such as Mind in Harringay). I also take it upon myself to take on challenges for the Zurich Community Trust to raise money towards our national partners. This year, I am doing the Prudential Ride London 100mile bike ride and aiming to raise £500 to go towards some of our partners work such as the Diana Awards Anti-bullying campaign.
Internally, I am a part of the Zurich Women's innovation Network who support the workplace in promoting diversity within gender and allowing for more training and facilities to better place yourself in your career. I am the Regional Head for our network, managing the 10 regional committees across the UK who conduct a variety of work to promote the networks objectives. I am also the Co-Chair of our London committee, and the communications and external network lead in our Networking and Influencing Pillar.
Another internal piece of work is my new initiative 'Ride the Railway'. A scheme I devised which supports employees in the UK organisation to develop their skills, skillshare, and break down silos by being able to spend time work shadowing and gaining insights into other areas of the organisation. I launched this scheme after approval from our CEO Tulsi, with support from then UK head of HR Georgina Farrell and UK Head of Talent, Tara Hutton back in December 2017. The scheme has seen over 200 employees experience other teams and has become a BAU operation supported by the HR function. I manage the working committee who keep the initiative running.
Externally, I am communications lead for the Insurance Industry Gender Inclusion Network - made up of the major insurers and brokers in the UK. I manage our website, communications, mailing, marketing and external stakeholder engagement.
Alongside this, I am Chair and Founder of the first UK insurance apprenticeship network - ASSET.
Jennifer Kested | AIG
Jennifer Kested earned a B.A. in International Relations, Public Policy and African Studies from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and is currently leading the Communication and Renaming strategy and delivery for AIG Europe Ltd’s Brexit Program. She has split her career between New York and London, and most recently relocated to London for her role securing AEL’s readiness for Brexit including one of the largest communication campaigns in UK insurance industry. Jennifer began her insurance career as a project manager leading major restructuring projects in AIG’s New York office, including restructuring the organization at the height of the 2008 financial crisis.
In 2017, she was accepted to and completed an intensive program at Harvard University focusing on leadership, strategy, communication, finance and innovation. In 2014, Jennifer was nominated and accepted to AIG Europe Ltd’s Emerging Leaders Program aimed at identifying future organization leaders and over the course of a year, immersing them in experiential projects and business engagements to develop and enhance their skills.
Jennifer has made a big impact on AIG Europe Ltd’s footprint, previously running the Finance Transformations which restructured the entirety of the Finance department, establishing accounting centers first across Europe and then establishing a presence in India to optimize processes and reporting abilities for the company. During her recent time in New York, she was responsible for the Finance Robotics and Digitization program which led to the first fully automated robot at AIG.
Outside of her professional obligations, Jennifer is an advocate for girls and young women, acting as a mentor for the Girls’ Network. She feels strongly about supporting diversity and is a member of employee resource groups supporting AIG’s professional women’s network and the as an ally to the STEP (Support, Talent, Educate, Partner) LGBT group. She has also participated as a mentor in the 2016 Women of the World festival at the Southbank Centre in London. Jennifer enjoys fitness challenges and previously participated in a charity cycle from London to Brussels to benefit Brainwave Charity.
Jane Harley | Lloyd's
I first entered the world of insurance 4 years ago after obtaining my First Class Honours Degree in Business Studies & Finance at Glasgow Caledonian University. A move to London saw me start my career as a Lloyd’s Graduate on their generalist scheme. During these 18 months I obtained a variety of experience and exposure within underwriting, claims and oversight from numerous departments within Lloyd’s. Following completion of this scheme, I was offered & accepted a role within Lloyd’s Delegated Authorities team. During my 3 years within the team I have progressed from my previous initial role of Compliance Coordinator to Compliance Manager; this was obtained in October 2017. My current role involves pioneering and implementing a new central solution for coverholder compliance information on behalf of the Lloyd’s market. This initiative built on a pilot I established previously with 20 complex coverholders that identified the benefits of having a centralised, streamlined solution for compliance requirements. As a manager I manage a team consisting of internal employees and external contractors, with all of my direct reports being older than me. This can often be both challenging and rewarding through having a diverse team. This compliance solution marks a significant change in the dynamics between Lloyd’s and its coverholders.