Was it a dream of yours to become an accountant?

Not at all. As a child I wanted to be either an actress or a writer but it turned out that I had limited talents in those fields. I don’t regret becoming an accountant, though, as that was a great springboard for all the interesting roles that I have now.

Are you faced with any limitations as a woman in male dominated-role?

No, I have never thought of myself as having any gender-based limitations. I think that approach has helped give me the confidence to compete for the roles that I have wanted to do.

How are you paving the way for other women?

I am now in a great position to raise questions with companies about why they have large gender pay gaps and to encourage them to insist that headhunters provide gender-balanced shortlists of candidates for senior roles.

What are some challenges you faced in your role?

At various times in my career I have faced stress, impossible deadlines, long hours, toxic cultures, boredom, bad bosses and the occasional unwanted hand on my knee!

What advice would you give your younger self?

Loosen up! Being professional at work doesn’t mean that you can’t be yourself.

 

JN Bank UK’s commitment to supporting women and #EmbraceEquity

To cap off the International Women's Day celebration, we want to tell you a little bit about what we do here at JN Bank UK to support women in the workplace and at our own bank.

JN Bank UK is committed to promoting gender diversity and creating a supportive environment for women in finance, and across other industries. As a bank, we recognise that women face unique challenges in the industry, such as a lack of representation in leadership positions, pay disparities, and much more. To address these challenges, JN Bank UK has implemented several policies to support women in the workplace.

One way that JN Bank UK supports women in finance is through mentorship programs. We facilitate relationship-building events to pair experienced leaders with up-and-coming women in the industry. These mentorship relationships provide valuable guidance and support to women navigating the challenges of the finance industry. These are fantastic opportunities to help women build their skills and connect with others in the industry.

JN Bank UK is also committed to creating workspaces that support women. The bank recognises that traditional work arrangements may not meet the needs of all employees, particularly those with family responsibilities. To address this, JN Bank UK offers flexible work arrangements, such as remote work and flexible hours. Additionally, the bank has family-friendly policies, such as parental leave and childcare benefits, to help support women who are juggling work and family responsibilities. By creating a supportive and inclusive workplace, JN Bank UK is helping women to thrive in the finance industry.