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Our opening hours will change during the festive season.
Our opening hours will change during the festive season. We will close from 2.00pm on the 24th December and reopen at 9.00am on the 27th December. Our usual opening hours will then apply. We will be closed on the 1st January and reopen at 9.00am on the 2nd January.
The annual event, which takes place on March 8, commemorates the cultural, political and socioeconomic achievements of women.
As part of our celebrations for the day, we have spoken to four team members, including Head of Compliance Emma Drew, Business Development Manager Nicola Blake, Lisa Franklin, Executive Assistant to the CEO, and Marketing Manager Kirsty MacDonald.
Why did you choose to work in finance?
Emma Drew said: “It was never a planned vocation for me, I actually started as a temp in financial services, and it has progressed from there.”
Nicola Blake said: “My grandparents suggested this route when I was 16 saying working in a bank would be a job for life and offer lots of career prospects. I was young and really didn’t know what I wanted to do so thought job security and career opportunities in banking were ideal.”
Kirsty MacDonald said: “I delved into the finance industry as I enjoy the challenging nature of the sector and how fast-paced it is. I thrive under pressure and enjoy problem-solving, which are both key elements that are necessary to work in the finance sector."
What hurdles have you faced and how have these been overcome?
Nicola Blake said: “Banking in my eyes was always very male dominated and stereotypically with ‘men’ in senior roles with the women at the cashier desk. However, when I worked for a high street bank, they were always supportive in career progression, fortunately I had some good role models who always believed in my ability and pushed me in my career.
“My manager put me forward for a role in business banking which was even more heavily weighted with men not just in the banking arena but also men running their own businesses. I felt I had to be the best, and probably still do to a degree, and push myself so I am taken seriously.”
Lisa Franklin said: “Early on, my biggest hurdles were of my own creation – mainly thinking that Personal and Executive Assistants are meant to be seen and not heard, being too timid to call out things that were blatantly wrong or needed improving, and generally feeling like a ghost in often male-dominated environments.
“I quickly realised that PAs and EAs usually have the benefit of getting to see the ‘full picture’ as well as the detail behind it, and this enables us to be in the unique position to be sounding boards, provide valuable insight, and identify problems where others may have unintentional ‘tunnel-vision’. And often, as long as we are willing to speak and be confident in our approach, those we support are very open to hearing us."
What have you learnt about yourself in the process?
Emma Drew said: “I’ve learnt to become resilient and to ask questions. People will not always agree with you and that is OK.”
Nicola Blake said: “That I am a determined woman who believes in herself and pushes herself to achieve anything. That if I want something badly enough, I can achieve it and to not let being a woman hinder my success.”
Lisa Franklin said: “The skills I have do provide value to others; the days of Mad Men-esque bosses are long gone… I deserve respect and to be treated equally, and you don’t need to wear a suit to do your job well and earn respect and trust.”
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you have given yourself at the start of your career?
Emma Drew said: “Don't be afraid to speak up. People will always have opinions and that’s what makes life interesting. Also believe in yourself.”
Nicola Blake said: “I am a strong independent woman; I am fortunate to have had a good role model in both my mum and dad who taught me to believe in myself and to go for my dreams and to never say ‘I can’t’ but instead say ‘I can’.
Lisa Franklin said: “You can’t possibly know everything now, but listen to everyone, learn every day, and never stop doing that. Speak up. People will listen and you can make a difference, even if you’re not in one of the top-tier roles. Don’t try to be what you think you should be… be yourself, own it, and show people why that’s something they need.”
Kirsty MacDonald said: “Understand what your personal ‘brand’ is in terms of how you want to communicate/interact and deliver in a role and make that unique to you. It’s too easy to compare yourself to people who have been in the business for years. Also keep asking ‘why’ in any job as it helps to help gain an insight into understanding of people, culture and organisations.”