Explore every episode of the podcast Finance, Energy and Beyond

Sharniya is currently an Enterprise Community Strategy Director at NatWest. Sharniya shares her story which started in branch banking and led all the way to supporting entrepreneurs from ethnic minority backgrounds. We also have a discussion around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the great work she and her team are doing at NatWest.

Richard is a DEI Leader who's worked at Deloitte and Wayve. Richard shares his journey which eventually led to him becoming a DEI Leader and how he navigated working in a big corporate to a startup fintech. We also have a discussion around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Black History and Richards Podcast - Tales from the Plantation.

Funmi is currently Distribution Director at HSBC. Funmi has been heavily involved in DEI activities for years, she's a specialist in communications and has helped elevate the DEI projects at HSBC. We caught up with Funmi to have a discussion about her thoughts on Black History Month and representation as a whole - as well as discussing the great efforts HSBC are going to building a diverse and inclusive organisation.

Samira currently works at Diageo as an assistant company secretary, alongside her role she is Founder of the Black Governance Professionals Network. A few things we took away from this conversation were:

• Why she started the network group and how it's impacted so many
• What Black history means to Samira

Akua is a DEI star. Akua currently works at LSEG as a Senior Associate, alongside her role she is EMEA Regional Lead for Accessibility network. A few things we took away from this conversation were:

• We spoke about moving the dial for representation
• Systemic issues in society
• The importance of having leaders to break down barriers

Kyle is an award winning Business Management Student who's currently studying at the University of York. Kyle has completed an internship at IBM and in his time there was heavily involved in the DEI strategy for the company. Kyle talks about setting up an African-Caribbean society at his University and why it was so badly needed.

• Who are The Prince's Trust and what do they do
• Why representation is important to Ikenna
• The importance of leaders creating a space where you can be yourself

Gabe is a hugely talented individual that has worked in the investment management industry for roughly 5 years. He's a selfless individual who, alongside his role at Brown Advisory is non-executive Director at Migasuto Global Services. He has supported many individuals in Africa to kick start there career by giving them opportunities via Migasuto. A few things we took away from this conversation were:

• Gabriel's thoughts on representation
• Who Migasuto Global Services are and why they started
• The importance of mentors

• How Gavin juggled Olympic training with his career
• What prudential regulation is
• The birth of the FCA

Rory has been working in Government Affairs for roughly 6 years. He's had varying experiences within government, at consultancies and most recently within the finance sector. His latest role is Head of UK Government Affairs and Public Policy at Revolut. Rory talks about his journey, a few things we took away from this conversation were:

• What government affairs actually is

• Why government affairs is so important in business

• Why having passion for your subject matter is important

Monica has been working in product for roughly 20 years. She spent most of her time working in Fintechs at the start-up stage. Monica talks about her journey and her experiences working in product roles across different companies in different continents, a few things we took away from this conversation were:

• What it's like to work in a Fintech

• What product is

• Why teamwork is clinical to success

• The importance of being resilient in a Fintech

Marcel has been working in compliance and internal controls for roughly 20 years. He spent most of his time at Magna International. Marcel talks about his journey and his experiences working in global roles, a few things we took away from this conversation were:

• Cultural differences working in different continents

• The importance of internal controls

• Why teamwork is clinical to success

Chelsea has been working in sustainability for roughly 6 years. She's had varying experiences from working in Learning and Development to Head of Sustainability. Her latest role is Head of Sustainability at ClearBank. Chelsea talks about her journey, a few things we took away from this conversation were:

• Understanding a B-Corp

• Being a working mum

• What sustainability in finance really means

• The power of community
• Your network is your net worth
• Honesty and hard work takes you a long way

David has been working in Design and research for 15 years. He's had varying experiences with consultancies, banks and energy companies. His latest role is Global Design Principal at Shell. Dave talks about his journey, a few things we took away from this conversation were:

• The importance of designing with the customer in mind
• What design and research is
• Why consistency is key

Richard has been working in the Risk and Compliance industry for 20 years. He's had varying experiences with consultancies, telecommunications and finance companies. His latest role was Head of Risk and Compliance at Pay.UK.Richard talks about his journey, a few things we took away from this conversation were:

• If you want something, go and get it
• Qualifications aren't everything
• Risk skills are transferable to any market
• Be curious and ask for opportunities