Meet Bethan Jones, business development manager (BDM) at Kseye, who says her unexpected career in financial services was the best decision she made and that sharing her experiences could greatly inspire others.
What is your name and role?
My name is Bethan Jones, and I’m a BDM at Kseye, specialising in bridging finance.
How long have you worked in your current role, and how long have you worked in financial services? What was your first job?
I’ve been a BDM at Kseye for almost two years and have worked in financial services since 2017. My first role was as a mortgage adviser, having completed my CeMAP qualifications through a training programme. That gave me the foundation to build my career and eventually transition into business development.
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What made you consider the sector as a career?
Like many people, I fell into financial services rather than actively planning a career in it. Maths was always one of my strongest subjects, and when I saw an opportunity to train as a mortgage adviser, with my qualifications funded by the employer, I decided to give it a go. I qualified, started learning about an industry I knew very little about, and never looked back.
What began as an unexpected opportunity has become a career that has challenged me, built my confidence and taken me further than I initially imagined. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
How do you try to do good for your community through your work?
For me, it’s about making opportunities more visible to others. I’ve taken part in careers events at schools, speaking to young people about my role, how I entered financial services and the opportunities available within the industry. I also make myself available to people who are starting out or looking to progress, particularly those interested in moving from mortgage advice into business development.
I was fortunate that someone gave me an opportunity, invested in my training and opened the door to an industry I may not otherwise have considered. I’d like to do the same for others, particularly those who may not realise these opportunities are available to them.
What about in your personal life?
Outside work, I’m very family-oriented and lead an active lifestyle. Between the gym, playing sports and keeping up with my son, there’s rarely a dull moment. Motherhood has changed me for the better, teaching me patience, resilience and perspective, all of which I carry into my professional life. My son is my biggest motivation, and a huge part of what drives me is building the best possible future for him.
I’m also passionate about maintaining genuine connections. Some of my closest friendships have come from people I’ve met throughout my career, and we’re still celebrating birthdays, spending time together and supporting one another years later. I love cooking for my family, keeping active and encouraging my son to be kind and give back where he can. Ultimately, I feel very fortunate to have built a life filled with family, friendship and joy.
What does community mean to you, both within and outside the Black community?
To me, community is about connection, camaraderie and people coming together with a shared purpose: progression. Financial services is built on relationships, and I’ve always believed that sharing knowledge, supporting one another and being approachable can make a real difference to how we grow, both personally and professionally.
Within the Black community, I think that collective support and visibility are especially important. Creating spaces where people feel represented, encouraged and able to access opportunities can help others see what’s possible. Sometimes, simply being willing to share your experience or open a door for someone can have a lasting impact.
Who inspires you on a personal and professional level?
I’m inspired by women who have challenged expectations, progressed in their careers and used their positions to support others. I was fortunate to work with a female leader who advocated for me, challenged me to think bigger and supported my development in ways she didn’t have to. That experience taught me the importance of using your position to help others progress.
Seeing women succeed in spaces where representation isn’t always widespread reminds me of what’s possible and encourages me to keep pushing myself. Success is important, but I also admire people who make a conscious effort to bring others along with them.
How do you hope to inspire others?
I’d like people to see my journey and recognise that there’s no single route to a successful career. I came from humble beginnings in South East London and didn’t grow up knowing that business development in bridging finance was an option for me. I found my way into the industry through an opportunity I took, and it’s helped me grow in confidence, develop my skills and step outside my comfort zone. I hope that by sharing my experience, I can encourage other people, particularly young people of Black heritage, to explore opportunities they may not have considered and to believe they belong in these spaces.
If my journey encourages someone to ask a question, apply for a role or take a chance on themselves, then that would mean a lot to me. Sometimes, seeing someone whose journey feels relatable is all it takes to realise what’s possible for you, too.
