ISSUE 12: March 2025
Accelerating gender equality together
The theme for International Women's Day 2025, #AccelerateAction, emerges at a complex moment when many organisations—including those in our industry—are quietly or publicly stepping back from diversity workforce targets. While this might feel discouraging, it's crucial to view our progress through a broader historical lens.
Just generations ago, our great-grandmothers lived in a world where fundamental rights we now take for granted were unimaginable: they couldn't vote, were expected to leave work after marriage, and couldn't independently apply for a mortgage without a male guarantor. The rights and opportunities we experience today were hard-won through decades of persistent advocacy.
True inclusivity is not a sprint but a multigenerational marathon. Each small step, each challenging conversation, each policy shift contributes to a broader transformation that might take decades to fully realize. Our work continues the legacy of those who came before us, steadily expanding the boundaries of possibility.
The power of role models
Teresa’s recent blog shows the power of role models and the importance of resilience. Only a couple of decades ago, women were even more of a rarity on the trading floor. Our working world changes in small steps, but positive steps, nonetheless. Mexican waves start one person at a time, and I can take great heart from that.
Our network is full of amazing women and men who are role models regardless of whether they are CEO’s or just starting out in their careers. I think about Ann Roughead who was our first ever speaker, Chimmy Ngoma who was one of our Finding Your Voice participants who now works with Laura and Channelle on our podcasts and our mentors who support individual or multiple conversations.
If you can see it, you can be it. So even if the organisational targets are set aside, our desire to support women to gain the career they want doesn’t go away and every single one of us can do something, from writing blogs, to supporting young women into our industry and giving honest, supportive feedback as often as we can. #AccelerateAction – one step, one action and personally.
Merger update
The planned merger between ourselves and Women in Platforms has been postponed. Behind the scenes, we are undergoing important changes and adapting for the future. We are looking to support a growing network, but retaining our values, our essence to be supportive in the actions that we can control ourselves. More to follow on this in the coming months.
Finding your possible
We were delighted to work with the Bloomberg Women in Product team to host The PossiblistTM, Gitanjali Trevorrow-Seymour to a large and lively audience. The Bloomberg offices were stunning and Gita gave a fascinating insight between psychology and career management, inspiring the audience to think beyond our own boundaries of our minds. The event was a great start to our year of planned activities, including Finding Your Voice and Speed Mentoring.
As I mentioned at the event in February, our network is the “borrowers” and we are always looking for venues, speakers and mentors, not just in London, but also around the UK and in Luxembourg. We are always delighted to work with new organisations.
If you are able to host an event or interested in talking to us about an idea for event, please get in touch.
Talent Talks returns
Our podcast series is back! The latest episode features Faith Reynolds, who talks to Laura Mann about women investing. She shares some fascinating and unexpected facts about how women invest.
These episodes are great for dog walks, train rides or the cross trainer; wherever you personally like to listen and learn.
We are also working on a more regular series of blogs and book reviews. If you would like to contribute, please write to us at events@wias.co.uk. We are looking for a range of topics and authors and would ask you to be inventive. We love career stories, even if those careers are only the work of a few years.
Have your heard of Smart Works?
We have recently been talking to Smart Works, a charity who are helping to transform women's lives. When women are struggling to find employment, Smart Works empowers them with the self-belief and resources they need to get the job and change their lives. We discussed a couple of potential projects and will keep you updated as to their progress.
In the meantime, this March they are celebrating achieving the milestone of supporting 10,000 women a year across the UK. To find out more about how our staff, trustees, volunteers and supporters are Stepping Up for Smart Works this month, please do visit their Scotland team page and their London team page and consider sponsoring them if you can. Thanks so much for supporting Smart Works as we step towards a brighter future for all women.
Some days, the magnitude of change still needed in our industry feels overwhelming. Just last year, The Times highlighted that Financial Services has one of the worst pay gaps – second only to wall tilers. Yet when I reflect on the generations of women who have persistently pushed for progress, step by incremental step, I'm filled with hope.
Looking at the path carved by those who came before, I feel heartened about the future – especially when I think about the next generation, including my own daughter. Her professional journey is still unwritten, her potential unlimited. Whatever individual contribution we can make matters. As the saying goes, "#AccelerateAction" isn't just a hashtag – it's a commitment to continuous, purposeful change.
Kind regards
Kate Webber
Founder, WiAS
E: events@wias.co.uk
W: wias.co.uk
WiAS is a professional networking group, empowering women to achieve success by facilitating relationships and discussing topics that improve career opportunities for its members with an aim to optimise the gender balance across the industry. The group was founded by Kate Webber, who has worked in the asset servicing sector for over 25 years.
