Your Career Journey

Q: Can you share a bit about your career journey and what led you to sitting on the executive committee at Foresight?

“I always wanted to pursue further qualifications after university, so a graduate recruitment scheme with all the additional benefits suited me well. A couple of years in technology, building servers and completing MS certifications, were enough, so I transitioned into finance internally and then moved on to banking within the Wealth/Private Banking sector. Once I became a qualified accountant, I made a very conscious decision to 'downsize' into an organisation where I felt I could have a more significant impact. That’s when I transitioned to a technology-based trading firm, where I really found my feet.

I held roles in financial planning and analysis, business development, and an incubator project that eventually became a domain name start-up, before transitioning into investor relations. On my first day, the regulator announced a consultation on our core product, and the share price dropped 40%. Fast forward three years, and I was leading the function, managing CEO walkouts, multiple CFO transitions, challenging (and very successful) competitors, and a complete pivot of the business model.

I was able to bring all that experience to Foresight, and I believe the confidence that came with it, along with a receptive senior management team, enabled me to build relationships quickly, provide evidence to support my suggestions, and ultimately drive changes that the senior team valued."

 

 

Accelerating Action at Foresight

Q: What does 'accelerating action' mean to you both, personally and for Foresight as a business? 

“Accelerating action and improving diversity of thought, whether driven by background, culture, gender, experience, education, or work experience, is critical to delivering sustainable success in any organisation. If all voices are the same, there is no innovation, no drive for change, and the organisation will stagnate.

Today, certain backgrounds and experiences are more prevalent in senior roles than others. It is important to recognise this, understand that the environment it creates is limiting and champion change. 

I am not a big proponent of check-the-box exercises, quotas, or rigid targets. At Foresight, we focus on building meaningful initiatives that drive long-term cultural change and create equal playing fields for individuals of all backgrounds. We understand it’s a journey and remain committed to providing ongoing opportunities for all our employees. These include our Elevate leadership program, our Mentoring scheme, dedicated DE&I networks, and community engagement initiatives.

 

 

Q: Were there pivotal moments or mentors that helped shape your leadership style?

"There have been numerous, both good and bad, leading me to consciously steer away from some traits while gravitating toward others. To me, it’s important to be myself at work. I can't cope with having a work persona and a home persona; I see just one version of me. That means that the traits I value in wider life, integrity, openness, and trust, are also traits I think are important for a leader in the workplace.

I’ve worked for people who managed through intimidation and others who micro-managed me, and in both situations, I failed to thrive. I consciously strive to be approachable, reasonable, and to proactively delegate at the role level. No one knows your job and deliverables better than you, so I try to empower individuals, with the right support and guidance, to decide their own approach and priorities.”

 

 

Advice for Career Growth 

Q: What’s a funny experience that you can look back on now as having a positive impact on your career? 

“On a weekend away last year, I received a card that instructed me to simply say yes. Everyone else’s card went on to explain what it meant; mine just listed the word 'yes' about 100 times. I’ve taken that to heart and have tried to give everything a go ever since, whether that's engaging with the kids in what they want to be doing or shaking off twelve years of rust to play competitive hockey again.”

 

Q: What advice would you give to individuals looking to advance in the sector?

"My advice is always to listen and be inquisitive about what you hear. That is the fastest way to truly learn what your stakeholders are seeking. I also think it’s important to be open-minded to new opportunities and be prepared to pivot in your career, you never know what doors could open by simply saying yes!"

 

Q: What are some of the biggest opportunities for accelerating action in finance? 

“The transition to a sustainable economy presents an incredible opportunity for finance to be a catalyst for both environmental and economic change. Governments, investors, and businesses are increasingly focused on mobilising capital to support the energy transition, regional investment, and infrastructure development, areas where Foresight has extensive expertise.

As an individual building a career in this space you also have the opportunity to contribute to something bigger. Those who understand these shifting economic priorities and take proactive steps to be part of the solution, will be well-positioned to drive meaningful and lasting change for a better planet.”

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate everyone who is driving change and accelerating progress in equality, finance, sustainability, and beyond. To find out more about our learning development opportunities head to our website.

 

Watch the film below to see how we invest to deliver sustainable impact from our work and grow thriving economies: