Variety, the spice

I love the sheer range of my role. Sometimes my work could be around modelling complex technical assumptions or advice, where I can draw on my background as a maths graduate and former trainee actuary. At other times, it’s far more people-centric, working with a particular client or potential client, understanding their motivations and what service best suits their needs. If I have one, I’d say my ‘superpower’ is combining the ability to understand technical concepts with being a people person who is motivated by being a trusted client advisor.

I’ve always disliked the idea of being pigeon-holed. The breadth of opportunity is what attracted me to Cardano.

I’ve always disliked the idea of being pigeon-holed. The breadth of opportunity is what attracted me to Cardano. Working in a fiduciary management firm has allowed me to hone my investment advisory and consulting skills, while also developing my relationship management experience and technical expertise.

The fact that Cardano was very thoughtful and considered in how and why it operates also appealed to me. It can sound clichéd, but all of us think ‘if we do our jobs well, our clients’ members are more likely to get their pensions’. That still feels like a very direct driver and motivation to do our best every day.

Sustainable goals

I’m currently focusing more of my time on sustainability issues. Following the acquisition of ACTIAM (now Cardano Asset Management) in 2021, we now have a wealth of specialist environmental, social and governance (ESG) expertise in-house. I’m exploring how best to leverage that even more for the benefit of our UK investment business. It’s an exciting time because nobody has all the right answers. We’re all learning as we go, month to month, year by year.

Cardano has always tried to do things for the right reasons, and sustainability is central to that. I don’t want my career to be one where I helped an industry sleepwalk into a climate disaster. I want to be someone who’s alert to how we can improve society alongside client outcomes.

Dialling up diversity

When I joined Cardano, there weren’t many senior women around. Today that’s changed, together with a greater awareness of what inclusion means.

When I joined Cardano, there weren’t many senior women around. Today that’s changed, together with a greater awareness of what inclusion means. I’ve been closely involved with supporting our range of diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives. That includes previously chairing our Gender Inclusion Network to help Cardano improve its gender balance across the business.

I also represent Cardano on the advisory board of the Diversity Project, an initiative involving senior business leaders from across the finance and investment management sector. This is a fantastic initiative trying to drive improvements right across the industry. As someone from a state-school background, I’m particularly pleased to see social mobility being pushed higher up the priority list as well. I was also thrilled to win a Women in Pension Award in 2019 as Investment Manager of the Year.

What comes next?

Throughout my career, as long as I’ve been moving forwards, growing my skillset and gaining greater perspective, I’ve been happy. Stagnation is my fear!

I’d like to use my enthusiasm and dedication to attract more pension schemes to work with us, continuing to support the growth of the business.

In the meantime, I’m currently training for my first marathon. It is often easy to forget to prioritise things out of work and setting myself a really stretching goal is a good way to do that.