Asia’s female fund stars reflect on sector challenges

Women in Asia’s fund ecosystem talk about gender issues, struggles, and opportunities

In this video, filmed during the week of International Women’s Day (March 8) and Women’s History Month, Michelle Ng, from Bonhill Group title Fund Selector Asia meets four women working in Hong Kong and Singapore’s fund industry, who share their personal experiences.

Ng asks fund leaders Elizabeth Allen, Head of Fixed Income, HSBC; Flavia Cheong, Investment Director at Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Ltd; Paula Ip, Head of Investment Funds & Private Markets, UBS and Sophia Li, Portfolio Manager at FSSA, about the particular challenges they’ve faced as women, how they overcame career obstacles, what advice they have for young women entering the sector, and more.

While one said gender diversity among fund managers is generally better in Asia than other countries like the US, all agreed there is still work to do to further representation.

The women are honest about their early career experiences, including a lack of female colleagues and role models for one leader. Others share their past struggles balancing work life with motherhood.

Not willing to dwell on the struggles for women in Asia’s fund space, they also offer constructive advice for others looking to enter and progress in the sector, which from what they say, is clearly full of opportunities.

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