Talent Talks supported by Scottish Widows

This episode explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workplace, with Annabel Gillard emphasising the importance of preserving trust, ethics, and human value in an increasingly digital world. She talks to Laura about how AI is a powerful but imperfect “prediction generator,” highlighting both its opportunities and risks, including bias, job disruption, and the potential for dehumanisation if not carefully designed and governed.  Ultimately, the conversation is a call to action - encouraging individuals and organisations to engage with AI proactively, using curiosity, community, and courage to shape a more human-centred and positive future.Annabel Gillard is the co-founder of LSE LSE FORGOOD initiative advising corporate clients on ethical applications of behavioural science, and 'Conversations on AI', a cross-sector tech ethics network. She also leads on AI ethics, organisational culture and ethics-by-design for Brave Governance and Co-Labs Global.  Previously she spent over 20 years building institutional businesses in asset management and she serves on the City of London Corporation's 'Women Pivoting to Digital' taskforce, the Trustee Board of Clore Social Leadership, and the advisory committees of Blueprint For Better Business and the Institute for Business Ethics. She has an MA in Philosophy and AI, an MSc in Behavioural Science and is a CFA charter holder. Resources:Stuart Russell Reith Lectures 4 x podcasts  Rachel Caldicutt and the Society for Hopeful Technologists (survey closed but there's a link to the newsletter) Jon Alexander[http:///] and Citizens Anthropy - Inspiring a better Britain  Conversations on AI website: - come and join the conversations! 

This episode is something a little bit different. As hosts of this podcast we thought it would fun to turn the mic round and chat about what we've learnt from our guests,  our favourites, funny moments and building our own confidence.This is much about pushing ourselves into our discomfort zone as it is about the podcast; so if you've enjoyed the 20+ podcast episodes take a listen and share your thoughts about it.

Welcome to another empowering episode of Talent Talks, where we spotlight the voices shaping the future of financial services. In this episode, Sarah sits down with the dynamic Anna Lane, CEO of The Wisdom Council and President of Women in Banking and Finance (WiBF). With decades of experience driving innovation in the industry, Anna shares candid insights on ambition, visibility, and the power of sponsorship. Together, they explore what it really takes to stand out and thrive in a traditionally male-dominated space.Anna also shared the findings of the Yes She Can initiative, a movement helping women take control of their financial futures with confidence and clarity.Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, this conversation is packed with practical advice and inspiration to fuel your journey. ResourcesConnect with Anna on LinkedInThe Wisdom Council Women in Banking & Finance (WiBF)Women in Finance Charter Bain Blueprint EY Report on motivation

Have you ever thought about changing direction during your career, moving into a completely different role or industry? In this episode, Sarah chats to Kevin Doran, CIO at Lloyds Banking Group about pivoting with purpose. The conversation covers finding your golden threads, how to craft a story that connect the dots and what it really means to be authentic. A self confessed failed math teacher, Kevin has a passion for investing and encouraging the next pipeline of talent.Kevin previously held roles at AJ Bell, where he worked for six years as Managing Director of the D2C platform and investment business – also acting as Group CIO.Prior to AJ Bell, Kevin was Group Head of Strategy and Investment Research at KBL (now Quintet) Private Bank, having previously held the role of CIO at Brown Shipley.LinkedIn - Connect with Kevin 

In this latest episode Sarah dives into a topic that can truly transform your career - professional networking. Whether you're early in your career or looking to level up, the right network can open doors you didn't even know existed.Our guest, Jill Henderson, is Head of Workplace Strategic Relationships at Scottish Widows and new sponsor of Her Wealth Network. She was until recently, the Co-Chair for Women in Banking and Finance (WiBF) in Scotland, where she played a pivotal role in fostering a supportive community for women in the financial sector.Jill has been vocal about the gender pension gap and co-chairs the Scottish Widows Women in Retirement workstream which is closely linked to the Women and Retirement Report; a long running initiative that highlights the financial challenges women face and advocates for change.ResourcesConnect with Jill on LinkedInRead more about the Women and Retirement ReportFind out more about Women in Banking Finance (WiBF)

Every been in a role where you feel like you're going nowhere or perhaps you're just not 'feeling' the role any longer. So what do you do? In this episode Sarah Sandle is joined by Jess Harvey, the founder of the Female Mentoring Alliance to talk about why so many women feel trapped in their careers, bust a few myths that might be holding you back and explore what it really takes to move forward.Jess Harvey is a former Managing Director who specialised in Risk and Compliance and left a 20+ year career in banking to pursue a more meaningful path. After decades of mentoring and leading high-performing teams, she realised that real impact comes from people, not just strategy or spreadsheets.Now an ICF ACC Accredited, ILM certified coach and NLP practitioner, Jess supports professional women through pivotal career transitions, helping them navigate uncertainty with clarity and confidence. Drawing on her own experience of change and reinvention, she takes a grounded, personal approach to growth, focusing not just on goals, but on strengthening the inner foundation needed to sustain them.Her work blends deep insight with practical action, empowering her clients to reconnect with their values, trust their instincts, and lead with purpose.If you would like to find out more about Jess, you can follow her via LinkedIn, and InstagramDetails about Jess’ signature programmes Career Accelerator & TransformHER as well as her 1-2-1 programme can be found here. You can also book a complimentary discovery call to see how you can work together here.  

Have you ever found yourself out of a job unexpectedly? In this episode we welcome Paul Chapman to talk us through how to coach yourself through redundancy, allowing your self space to breath and make the best decisions for your next move. Paul is a board adviser to Her Wealth Network and a seasoned recruiter with almost 20 years of experience placing top talent in financial services roles. He jointly runs HornbyChapman and is here to hep us understand what to do next, how to stay confident and bounce back stronger.Connect with Paul on LinkedIn or visit his websiteResourcesThe Henka Institute - https://www.henkainstitute.com/ Hogan psychometric testing - https://www.hoganassessments.com/There's also The Williams Event - https://thewilliamsevent.com/ - to promote positive mental health via networking.

Shakaila Forbes-Bell is a Fashion Psychologist, consultant, TV commentator, founder of the platform 'Fashion is Psychology' and best-selling author of the book “Big Dress Energy”. Shakaila talks to Chimmy Ngoma about the connection between psychology and what we choose to wear, how that gives us confidence and how we can celebrate our identity through our personal brand.She uses scientific research to uncover ‘the why behind the what’ when it comes to consumer behaviour and personal style choices. She has worked with global fashion brands, including Depop, Maybelline, Next, eBay and Calvin Klein, and is the current in-house fashion psychologist for Afterpay. She has by-lines in Mr Porter, Marie Claire and i-D, and has been featured in numerous global publications and TV shows, including Forbes, Vogue, ITV, Channel 5, Fox News 5 and many more. 

In this latest episode we welcome Akua Opong, a multi-award-winning speaker, who has over 15 years of experience in the financial and tech industries. A Chartered IT Professional with the British Computer Society, she is a recognised thought leader in Social Impact, CSR, ESG, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Gender Equality. She talks to our host Chimmy Ngoma about the importance of allyship and sponsorship and giving back to others.Akua is a prominent UK advocate, championing women in tech, neurodiversity (ADHD/Dyslexia), accessibility, mental health, and social mobility. As a STEM ambassador, she advances women in STEM. Her leadership extends to charity roles as a Non-Executive Director and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.Additionally, her commitment to sports is reflected in her work with England Netball and British Athletics. Passionate about building communities that drive change, Akua inspires global audiences to join her in striving for a more equitable future for women and girls.Reference:Akua Opong CITP MBCS FRSA | Instagram | LinktreeLinkedIn

In this episode, we are excited to chat with Gill Whitty-Collins, the author 'Why men win at work...and how we can make inequality history'. Our host, Chimmy Ngoma talks to Gill about finding your 'confident core' and how the sooner we find our super-powers, we ensure we reach happiness faster!Gill was born near Liverpool in 1970, the youngest of three sisters. After attending the local comprehensive high school, went on to study at Cambridge University. Upon graduating, she joined Procter & Gamble, where she led global brands such as Olay, Always and Pantene. She swiftly moved up the ladder to Marketing Director, General Manager and finally Senior Vice President. Her story and vision will inspire you to join the force to make gender inequality history.Additional Information:Newsletter sign uphttps://uk01.z.antigena.com/l/ovqO9bEmzzI1nEIxOGJLZcGbD1R9pvbQq7zDFfv6Z5R1yhKqZiuudh8u4PhlMkX661ZcS2xF1ltTGXVTdcfnZdfKmfnPDEfGeOHmwnOpWgDbn_n68iY77syzzFEQfQLABcw_DQC9JzhRvcK_Exu-xpfBKT2euQZs29eh6dibi6QETf~~hlEkHM5xvf5cj5~ZGlP1fcsB-mR Website: https://gillwhittycollins.com/LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/gillwhittycollinsInstagram : https://instagram.com/gillwhittycollinsWhy Men Win at Work: ...and How We Can Make Inequality History

In this first episode of the new season for 2025, we are joined by Mary Agbesanwa, who is passionate about how technology is transforming the financial services industry, especially wealth management. Listen to her chat with host, Chimmy Ngoma about being your authentic self and super-connectors. How looking to help others when you're networking should come before self-promotion and how to use your emotional intelligence.Mary has spent several years working as a Management Consultant at PWC, working with banks and fintechs looking to scale or adapt their business models. Currently working for Lloyds Banking Group as a sales director with the wealth management business. Outside of work, Mary runs a female professional community called the 'Now You're Talking Network' which has over 3,000 members from tech and financial services. She is a programme leader for Wharton Business School's Executive Presence & Influence and Entrepreneurship Acceleration programmes and a board trustee for Girl Guiding.Mary's recent accolades include being a Precious Awards Winner 2024 - Outstanding Woman in Banking and Finance, Startups Magazine’s 23 Most Influential Womxn of 2023, Black Women in Asset Management 40 Under 40 Winner, Money 20/20 Europe VIP Speaker 2023, Brummell’s 30 Inspirational Women in the City list 2022, Black Tech Achievement Awards finalist, MCA Young Consultant of the Year finalist 2021, Innovate Finance Women in Fintech Powerlist 2020 and No.1 for the Global EMpower Future Leaders List 2020.Find out more about Mary on her Linktree profile - here Or contact her via LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryagbesanwa/ 

In this episode we are joined by the superpower that is Samantha (Sam) Secomb, Founder of Women’s Wealth, an innovative unbiased financial advice and coaching service that specialises in empowering women to create fabulous financial futures for themselves. Laura chats to Sam about her career, where are all the female advisers, what the profession can offer in terms of career and what drives her passion for helping women unlock their potential with financial empowerment.Sam is an award-winning adviser on a mission to democratise unbiased financial advice for women, both as investors and as financial planners. Sam was freed up when her son took over the family wealth management business to do an Exec MBA with Warwick Business Schools in preparation for launching her disruptive, subscription based, financial planning service which she describes as gym membership for financial fitness.Highly qualified, decades of experience, a columnist for The Telegraph and fueled by HRT, she's on a mission to change things up for women regarding finance!Resources:https://womens-wealth.co.ukhttps:/www.instagram.com/womenswealth.ukhttps:/linkedin.com/in/samanthasecombBecome a money mentor: A unique career - Powered by VerveLink to Sam’s research: Women’s career progression in the UK financial planning sector

In this episode we are joined by Faith Reynolds, a strategic adviser, experienced NED, chair and speaker. She is an adviser to the board at TISA and a non-exec director at Fair4All Finance. She's led a series of initiatives to improve communications and break down barriers to financial services and talks to us about getting women investing, what other women are doing in this space and Resources:Website links for the research and UKFin+ mentioned during the podcast.https://www.tisa.uk.com/inclusiveinvesting/https://ukfin.network/https://www.mentoramoney.com/https://www.tisa.uk.com/tisa-oxera-joint-report/Book - Money Mentor: 10 essential steps to do your future self a favour by Anna Brading Connect with Faith on LinkedIn

In this episode we talk to Susan Hope, Pension Specialist at Scottish Widows about taking control of your pension. Susan is a Chartered Financial Planner and is passionate about closing the gender pension gap. Her day job is helping individuals understand the tangible benefits of workplace savings and frequently talks on topics such as the financial implications of life events, particularly for women. This is not just a fun listen it's a must listen if you want to be the master of your future self and the life you want to have after you stop working. Several resources are mentioned in the podcast:https://www.scottishwidows.co.uk/about-us/media-centre/reports/retirement-report.htmlhttps://www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact-detailshttps://www.gov.uk/check-state-pensionhttps://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/4212715/daughters-deserve-closing-gender-pension-gap

In this episode, we are joined by Laura Burridge from Hargreaves Lansdown for over 8 years, starting a content writer and now marketing leads for Financially Fearless, share trading and value. Financially Fearless is an initiative which empowers women with their money. Laura wants to empower the next generation of female investors as it's predicted that 60% of the UK's wealth will be in the hands of women by 2025. She chats to Laura Mann from WiAS about to engage a female audience of investors and how her own situation made her realise this was something she had to take action on. To find out more about Financially Fearless, visit https://www.hl.co.uk/financially-fearless.

Join Dr. Bijna, a banker-turned-venture capitalist and global business leader, as she delves into her inspiring career journey. From starting her career at firms such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to advising monarchies and startups, Dr. Bijna shares the pivotal moments that shaped her success. In this episode, she emphasises the importance of mentorship, overcoming challenges in male-dominated industries, and empowering others through leadership. 

In this episode, we chat to Victoria McLean, founder and CEO of City CV, an international career consultancy firm specialising in banking and financial service. With over 20 years of experience and a background in recruitment at Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch, Victoria's skills span CV/resume writing, interview and career coaching, and recruitment, including creating and directing international corporate career development, higher education, and outplacement programmes. In this episode Victoria shares her inspiring career journey and offers invaluable tips on how to position yourself for long-term career success.

In this episode, Holly Chate, COO of Future Dot Now, shares her inspiring journey from biochemistry student at UCL to a diverse career spanning the public, private, and third sectors across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. After facing burnout, Holly followed her passion which led to her joining Future Dot Now, a charity dedicated to closing the UK's digital skills gap. In this episode Holly reflects on her experiences and the lessons she's learned about identifying burnout and achieving balance in both work and life.

Nitika shares her inspiring journey from a successful career in investment banking and hedge funds to co-founding a fintech startup focused on empowering women with their finance. Driven by her passion for psychology and helping others, Nitika pursued a counselling qualification and volunteered with mental health charities. Nitika discusses the career transition that led to the creation of Aila Money, a personal training app for your finances focused on getting women more confident and comfortable with their finances.

This episode features Cynthia Poole, Director of Relationship Management and Business Support at Raymond James. Cynthia began her career in the U.S., but after the birth of her first child, she faced a pivotal decision—leaving her job to prioritise family. She discusses the challenges and rewards of stepping away from her career to raise her children, and her eventual journey back into the workforce. Cynthia also offers valuable insights and practical advice for those navigating similar transitions.

In our keynote episode, we're joined by Stefanie Sword-Williams, the author of "F*ck Being Humble" and a industry leader in the world of public speaking. Stefanie shares her journey, offering a wealth of actionable advice for those wanting to be brave enough to speak in front of any audience. From finding your ‘thing’ to conquering nerves, Stefanie provides practical tips that listeners can implement immediately. Stefanie also discusses the provocative title of her book and how it's shaped her brand and message. Whether you're looking to enhance your public speaking skills, or simply gain the confidence to share your ideas, this episode is packed with insights to help you find and amplify your authentic voice. Join us for a candid conversation about the power of bold self-expression.Please note this episode does contain several mentions of a word included in the title of Stefanie's book which some people may find offensive.

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Freed, co-founder of E2W and founder of Men for Inclusion. Despite early academic struggles due to dyslexia, Mark has become a powerful advocate for gender equality in the financial services sector. He shares his journey from a young working-class boy to a change-maker in London's financial district. Mark discusses the critical role of male allies in achieving workplace diversity, the challenges of engaging passive men in the equality conversation, and the urgent need for cultural evolution in corporate environments. This episode offers a unique perspective on finding our collective voice to create a more inclusive world. 

This episode features Alina Timofeeva, whose TEDx talk catapulted her into the spotlight. Alina shares her remarkable journey from a working-class background in Russia to becoming a multi-award-winning speaker. Learn about the power of perseverance, the impact of cultural perspectives in public speaking, and how finding your voice can lead to unexpected opportunities on the global stage.

Join us as we talk with Megan Pope, last year's joint Finding Your Voice event winner. Megan opens up about her experience being autistic and how she found her voice in public speaking. Discover the challenges she faced, the strategies she employed, and how winning the event has impacted her life. This inspiring conversation highlights the importance of diverse voices in public discourse.

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Bampfylde, the driving force behind our annual Finding Your Voice public speaking boot camp. Laura shares her insights on overcoming stage fright, and helping others discover their authentic voice. Learn about the transformative power of effective communication and how it can open doors both personally and professionally.