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Raft of well-known industry stars to be celebrated at Women In Finance awards

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  • 05/05/2017
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Raft of well-known industry stars to be celebrated at Women In Finance awards
The list of nominees for the Women In Finance awards, supported by HM Treasury’s Women In Finance Charter, includes HSBC’s Tracie Pearce, Atom Bank’s Maria Harris and Brightstar’s Clare Jupp.

Other companies which made the shortlist either for individuals or at a group level include Legal and General, Virgin Money, Santander, Lloyds Banking Group, RBS, TSB, Metro and Triodos Banks.

The inaugural awards recognise the high-achievers and excellence of early-to mid-career female executive role models in a male dominated finance sector and other supportive companies and individuals.

The awards scheme, which includes men and women in some categories, largely celebrates female role models in middle and senior management, nominated by themselves or their peers, to encourage a new tranche of women in the early phase of their careers to break through barriers and grow within the sector.

The awards create a forum to to tackle the main obstacles standing in the way of senior women in finance; mid-career stagnation, the lack of role models and mentors in the sector, and countering the gender pay gap and hiring and promotion biases.

Clare Jupp, director of people development at Brightstar, nominated for the advocate of the year award, said: “I am totally committed to the advancement of women in the financial service sector and I have worked very hard to champion and nurture women within our business and to support and develop them in their roles, aspirations and career paths.

She added: “I am incredibly proud of the achievements of these women and how their commitment to self-improvement and professional development has led to great success.”

Maria Harris, director of retail mortgages at Atom Bank, nominated for banker of the year, said: “I’m truly honoured that our partners, suppliers, peers and colleagues believe what we have delivered is worthy of an award recommendation. I am only a small piece to this jigsaw – the whole team at Digital Mortgages by Atom helped take my vision and have turned it into a reality.”

She added: “It is great to recognise the contribution women are making across financial services, and to provide inspiration to both men and women across the industry is fantastic. As a member of Atom’s senior team, it is so encouraging to see a start-up, fintech, challenger business being recognised so early in our journey.”

An independent panel of judges will meet on June 15 to decide the winners, which will be announced at the black-tie gala ceremony on June 29 at the Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel, Park Lane, London.

The shortlist

Nominations for the Women in Finance Awards closed in March 2017, raking in 432 submissions across 14 categories. Rigorous vetting produced the list of 119 finalists below, from which the industry leader of the year will also be chosen.

Rising Star of the Year

This award recognises the best and the brightest talent in the early phase of their career. Judges will be looking for nominees who have a unique and inspiring story to tell, demonstrating personal development and deeper contribution to their company and the industry.

• Anoushka Babbar, Head of Regulatory Policy and Government Relations, London Stock Exchange
• Lucy Emptagee, FX Trader, Natwest Markets
• Srijana Gautam, Consolidation Accountant, M&G Investments
• Rupal Kantaria, Social Impact Advisor, Oliver Wyman
• Tori Knight, RSA
• Gaia Mazzucchelli, ESG Analyst, MSCI
• Androulla Soteri, Tax Development Manager, MHA MacIntyre Hudson
• Joanne Vowles, Head of Communications, Charles Stanley & Co Ltd

Advocate of the Year

This award is open to a company or person that has gone out of its/her/his way to support the cause of getting more women promoted fairly in the last 18 months. Judges will assess the nominees’ role in establishing and developing initiatives and training schemes and its impact on, and integration with, the business.

• Anthony Baldwin, AIG Europe
• Andrew Bester, CEO – Commercial Banking, Lloyds Banking Group
• Emma Flaherty, Founder, MoneyGirl
• Carolin Gabor, Managing Director, FinLeap & Fintech Ladies Europe
• Peter Harrison, Group CEO, Schroders
• Alison Hepburn, Columbia Threadneedle Investments
• Clare Jupp, People Development Director, Brightstar Financial
• Barbara Pozdovovkina, Head of Corporate Development & Marketing, LMAX Exchange
• Nikki Short, Associate Director, RBS
• Rafael Campos Valdez, Manager – Diversity & Inclusion, TSB (at the time of nomination)

CFO of the Year

This award is open to chief financial officers who have proven to be strategic visionaries for the business. The winner of this category will have contributed to delivering financial growth during the past year, demonstrated success in overcoming significant business challenges or barriers, and shown examples of team leadership and superior management.

• Alison Brownhill, Balderton
• Maria Ferraro, Siemens UK
• Lucy Greggains, Unruly
• Penny Ladkin-Brand, Future Plc
• Melba Mwanje, Luanda International School and founder of SE1 United
• Amelie Redon-Hoang, S4M
• Carolyn Sims, Cazenove Capital Management
• Fiona Tee, Currency Cloud

Specialist Investor of the Year

This category recognises an investor in a sector of the market other than bonds or equities, such as private equity, venture capital, investing institution, who is making stable long-term returns on their major capital investments over the past year. The winner of this award will be a role model for women in a wide range of disciplines.

• Angelica Anton, SILK Ventures
• Jeannie Boyle, Executive Director & Chartered Financial Planner, EQ Investors
• Ophelia Brown, Founder, LocalGlobe (at the time of nomination)
• Camilla Dolan, Director, MMC Ventures (at the time of nomination)
• Tracy Doree, ‎Founding Partner, Kindred Spirit
• Priyanka Karunanithi, Investor, BGF Ventures
• Seonaid Mackenzie, Sturgeon Ventures LLP
• Sonali de Rycker, Partner, Accel Partners

Fund Manager of the Year

Independent research reveals that only about 3% of fund managers in the UK are female. This award recognises the a manager who has blazed a trail for diversity in the profession. The judges are looking for a fund manager who has out-performed their peers and benchmarks over a prolonged period of time.

• Claudia Calich, Fund Manager – Head of Emerging Markets Debt, M&G Investments
• Johanna Kyklund, Global Head of Multi-asset Investments, Schroders
• Lucy Macdonald, CIO Global Equities, Allianz Global Investors
• Judith MacKenzie, Downing
• Joanne Warner, Head of Global Resources, First State Investments
• Sarah Whitley, Partner, Baillie Gifford

Wealth Management Professional of the Year

This awards recognises the person in the wealth management industry who has done the most, proactively, to promote diversity in the industry and to find tailored, inclusive solutions to both men and women looking for help with their personal finance.

• Kirsten Boldarin, Partner – Investment Management, Stonehage Fleming
• Mary-Anne Daly, Deputy CEO, Cazenove Capital Management
• Stacey Parrinder-Johnson, Investec Wealth & Investment
• Meena Lakshmanan, Partner and Head of Alternatives, LGT Vestra
• Kitty McCormick‎, Director, Lending and Capital Management, Coutts
• Sarah Soar, Head of Investment Management, JM Finn & Co.
• Louise Stanway, Partner, Compliance Officer & MLRO, Ruffer LLP
• Helen Watson, CEO UK Wealth Management, Rothschild

Financial Adviser of the Year

This award recognises excellence within the financial adviser community in the area of diversity, and in tailoring their solutions and products to the needs of female clients. The judges are looking for an Independent Financial Adviser who can demonstrate a track record of delivering for clients that truly add value, particularly in tough economic times.

• Saika Arain, Boutique Finance
• Kay Ingram, LEBC Group
• Helen Jenkins, Inspiration Wealth Management
• Louise Pepper, Bespoke Financial Planning
• Ellen Roome, The Finance Roome
• Madeleine Sunley, Blueberry Financial
• Mary Waring, Wealth for Women Limited

Banker of the Year

This award recognises influential and inspirational women in banking. The winner will have overseen strong financial performance for her organisation over the past year and will have successfully guided the bank in the form of new best business practices, expansion into new markets, or innovation in terms of new products or services.

• Julie Barnsley, Head of Private Banking, Metro Bank
• Angela Chau, Relationship Director, Santander Corporate & Commercial
• Sophie Guibaud, VP, European Expansion, Fidor Bank
• Maria Harris, Director of Retail Mortgages, Atom Bank
• Sonya Iovieno, Head of Accelerator & Growth, Silicon Valley Bank
• Clare Nicholls, Senior Partner, Invenio Corporate Finance
• Tracie Pearce, Head of Mortgages, HSBC Bank plc
• Rebecca Pritchard, Head of Business Banking, Triodos Bank

Accountancy Leader of the Year

This award is open to accountants who have consistently met or exceeded challenging objectives to ensure the highest quality of provision of accountancy and related services. Judges will be looking for examples of how the nominee has contributed to delivering financial growth during the past year, and of team leadership and superior management.

• Stella Amiss, International Tax Partner, PwC
• Radhika Chadwick, Partner for Digital Government, EY
• Faye Hall, Director, Forensic Services, Smith & Williamson
• Abigail Jones, Principal, HW Fisher
• Heather Miller, Head of Private Client Tax, Price Bailey
• Myfanwy Neville, Audit, Tax and Business Advisory Partner, BKL

Insurance Leader of the Year

This award is open to the strongest senior-level contender in the insurance sector who has an outstanding track record in attracting and managing clients and bringing in successful deals. It is also open to women in senior diversity-specific roles. Judges will be looking for nominees who have demonstrated exceptional leadership.

• Debbie Cannon, Personal Injury Claims Handler, LV= Insurance
• Carol Geldard, Personal Lines Director, Covéa Insurance
• Haley Golden, ‎UK Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing Manager, ‎Zurich Insurance Company
• Nicole Jones, Chief of Staff, Prudential UK & Europe
• Mandy Martin, Head of Strategy & Business Development, Unum
• Pauline Miller, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Lloyds’ of London
• Julie Page, CEO, Aon Risk Solutions
• Stephanie Smith, COO, Allianz

Legal adviser of the Year

This category celebrates the corporate lawyers that have broken barriers to advancement and carved out a niche for themselves in finance, as well as paving the way for diversity within their firms. Judges will be looking for those who have demonstrated significant positive contribution to the development, enhancement or success of their employer through innovative practice measures or pro bono work.

• Rebecca Dury, Partner, Corporate, Ashfords
• Lesley Gregory, Chair, Memery Crystal
• Karen Holden, Director, A City Law Firm
• Leigh Kirkpatrick, Legal Counsel, RBS
• Andrea McIlroy-Rose, Partner – Head of Retail Property and Chair of Female Futures, Pinsent Masons
• Nell Scott, Partner, London office Diversity & Inclusion Chair, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
• Caroline Sherrington, Senior Counsel, Ignition Law

Employer of the Year

This award recognises those companies that have proactively cultivated a diverse workforce, aiming to achieve equal gender representation at all levels. The judges will be looking for companies with the most diversity among senior employees, the best maternity/paternity benefits, a proven track record in promoting diversity, and the most extensive diversity-supportive policies in recruitment and operations.

• Bank of America Merrill Lynch
• Columbia Threadneedle
• Legal & General
• Lloyds Banking Group
• Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
• Opportunity Network
• RBS
• Virgin Money

Disruptor of the Year

This category celebrates the companies that have reinvigorated gender diversity in the financial services industry by breaking barriers, exploring new markets, creating innovative new products or services, or have established a new effective way of working.

• AinFin Ltd
• AllBright
• Essentia Analytics
• Nottx.com
• Scalable Capital
• Starling Bank
• The Clear Company
• Tribe Impact Capital LLP
• WERKIN

Recruiter of the Year

This category recognises the recruitment firm that has championed equal pay and diversity in financial recruitment. Judges will look for the firm that has added outstanding value to their business partnerships and relationships. They will also be looking for innovation, market insight and profitability.

• E2W Limited
• Equal Approach
• Hays Recruitment
• Juggle Jobs
• Rare Recruitment
• Robert Half
• Sapphire Partners

Woman of the Year

As the headline award for the evening, this category recognises an inspiring leader who has challenged, influenced or revolutionised the culture of the business and financial services sector. Judges will be looking for nominees who have demonstrated a positive impact in bridging the gender gap in the sector through mentoring, training and other initiatives.

Shortlisted nominees will be released at the end of May.

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