Women in Finance Awards 2018: winners announced

On June 27, a host of inspirational women in finance were recognised for their outstanding achievements in the sector. Here are the winners.

DiversityQ has formally launched at The Women in Finance Awards, the European finance industry’s largest diversity event. We hosted 800 of the most inspirational leaders and advocates at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

The event celebrated the achievements of 222 finalists out of over 793 nominations, across a broad range of sectors within financial services, from the world of venture capital and banking to accountancy and corporate law.

Recognising the strides made by exceptional women across these fields, the event provided a new way to identify much-needed role models in mid-to-senior roles in finance, promoting further dialogue around diversifying the talent pipeline and tackling the sector’s notorious pay and promotion gap.

Organised by GrowthBusiness.co.uk and consumer investment magazine What Investment, the Women in Finance Awards has already set a precedent as a large-scale diversity-first event in this sector.

The event received overwhelming support from HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter, trade associations, and financial firms of all sizes. Presenting the ceremony was respected journalist, broadcaster and TV presenter Louise Minchin.

Jayne-Anne Gadhia, chief executive of Virgin Money, was instrumental in compiling and realising the hugely significant HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter and also addressed the event.

Keynote speaker John Glen MP, Economic Secretary to HM Treasury, delivered an insightful speech and commented on the significant year it has been for women when considering the centenary of women’s suffrage in the United Kingdom.

The Women in Finance Charter

Mr Glen also spoke of the HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter, specifically the link between gender balance and profitability, and that these go hand in hand. He reminded the audience that diverse companies are a matter of profit and principle, and of the importance of the financial services sector to the UK economy. He called on any firms represented on the night, and who have not signed up to the Charter, to do so.

This event follows hot on the heels of the Future Stars of Tech Awards, which were held a week before the Women in Finance Awards, on June 20th, 2018. By identifying and promoting the tech industry’s top female career climbers, Future Stars of Tech presents a tomorrow where diversity is a positive force, not a challenge, in the world of technology. By boosting the visibility of female talent in the first eight years of their career, the initiative provides a platform for encouraging young females.

The event was supported by HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter, Angel Academe, London Stock Exchange, London Women’s Forum, Personal Investment Management & Financial Advice Association (PIMFA), Savvywoman.co.uk, Voice At The Table, and 30% Club.

Niki Dowdall, managing director for events and marketing at organiser Vitesse Media said, ‘The focus on women’s rights, achievements and representation is growing across all industries, including financial services, which makes this event especially poignant. Practically, this means creating awareness around the gender pay gap and the way women are treated in the workplace.

‘As the ‘Me Too’ movement gains momentum, it is important to celebrate female achievements to ensure that these societal advances continue. It is paramount that the achievements of women who work in the financial industry are recognised.’

For more information on the awards, visit womeninfinance.co.uk.