Renata Yussupova | Senior Manager | PwC
I am an accomplished professional with a diverse background and a strong commitment to making a positive impact in the field of technology and energy sector.
Born and raised in Kazakhstan, I embarked on an academic journey that laid the foundation for my career: I was awarded a full sponsorship from the governmental program of Kazakhstan to pursue higher education in the United States, with a BS in Computer Science and MS in Technology Management.
I then returned to Kazakhstan with a desire to contribute to the development of local talent and give back to my home country. I initially worked in the space of audit and business processes. Recognising my passion for advisory work, I transitioned my career to provide strategic guidance to organisations specifically around ERP transformations.
In 2015, I moved to the PwC UK. I lead workstreams across the global implementation of the SOx program in a FTSE3 company. This experience further solidified my reputation as a capable and results-driven professional.
Building on this I was entrusted with a leadership role as a strategic PMO at an energy sector pan-industry program that I worked in for two years from 2020. In this capacity, I effectively coordinated over 150 program participants and five central delivery partners.
Since then, I have remained in the energy sector, focusing on delivering energy bill support schemes and conducting reviews for the energy regulator. My dedication and their ability to navigate complex projects have made me a trusted expert in my field.
Rukevwe Laura Akpowaye | Technical Business Analyst | PwC
I am a Technical Business Analyst with a profound focus on driving innovation and digital transformation initiatives and fostering organizational change.
Throughout my career, I`ve undertaken diverse roles, from conducting user research and supporting digital product launches to implementing systemic changes. My focus extends to orchestrating comprehensive communication strategies that facilitate seamless transitions across varied business landscapes.
Beyond my professional capacity, I am fervently dedicated to making a positive impact within both the workplace and the broader community. My passion for social mobility, education, and gender equality is evident in my active involvement in initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion and bridging the digital divide, especially within the tech sector. My commitment to fostering a supportive workplace extends to my involvement in various committees where I constantly advocate for new joiners, ensuring their smooth integration into the organization while championing diversity and inclusion.
Engaging in social causes, I`ve volunteered with non-governmental organizations, leading sensitization workshops addressing teenage pregnancy, social misconduct, and abuse among young women. Recently, I`ve contributed to program design and implementation for a Tech upskilling initiative with a not-for-profit organisation in Africa, furthering my commitment to bridging the digital divide.
My journey reflects a persistent pursuit of excellence, leadership, and a profound belief in the transformative power of diversity and inclusion to fuel innovation and positive change. Through mentoring and active engagement in impactful initiatives, I aspire to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future and become a seasoned leader in the Tech industry
Andriana Stampoli | Researcher | Odgers Berndtson
As a Greek National, I moved away from home and to the UK when I was 18 to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Warwick.
After completing my undergraduate studies, I completed a postgraduate degree at the LSE in Development Management, with the aim of working in the notoriously tough world of International Development. At the time, I believed it was the only way to make a difference. Covid-19 hit the world halfway through my degree and therefore forced me to reconsider my options. I joined the executive search industry in January 2021 in a small boutique firm before moving to Odgers Berndtson in June 2022 in the Financial Services Practice.
As a search professional, I place senior leaders into executive and non-executive directors into financial services institutions across all sub sectors including insurance, asset management, fintech, banking and regulation. I am a firm believer that the leaders we place can effect real change, and therefore as search professionals we can have a profound impact through our work in the future of leading organizations, across all sectors including financial services. Throughout my career, I have championed diversity and believe that through my role I am well placed to ensure diversity across all protected characteristics.
Faridah Ramirez | Team Manager support | Ethos Farm
I've always been involved in customer service from working 10+ years in the retail field.
Being able to work myself up the ladder to where I am today. I have always had a passion to work at the frontline for guests and to bring a sense amazing customer service to my role.
Helen Lees | Senior Sales Manager | Fine & Country
I am the Senior Sales Manager for the Mid and South Essex operation of Fine & Country based out of our Brentwood office, with 20 years property experience and a background in the airline industry.
Having previously gained a wealth of knowledge at British Airways and Virgin Airlines - both extremely fast paced and demanding work environments needing first class customer management skills I moved across to the property sector over 20 years ago. I have worked within various estate agency positions at a range of organisations nationally.
Leigh-Ann Smith | Site Manager | Barratt London
I have been working for Barratt London for almost 3 years and I have worked on some amazing projects that have been challenging and complex in there own ways.
Upton Gardens - Former West Ham United Stadium I completed 9 blocks running the external façade on all blocks with my own team behind me.
Mill Hill Ridgeway Views - Former National Institute Of Medical Research - This project had so much history and its own story to tell and it is my best project to date I built 3 blocks on this project again managing the external façade and landscaping works to all three blocks. The redesign of these development was to keep it very much the same but different to allow more natural light into the blocks and landscape areas and also the landscape area of the parkland with more than 4,000 trees and includes 47 acres of green space.
Bethan Handley | Associate - Residential Valuation & Advisory | Knight Frank
I grew up in rural Staffordshire and went on to study Accounting & Finance at the University of Bath.
Once I realised that I wanted to pursue a career in Real Estate, I then undertook a masters degree in Real Estate Management.
Having worked in residential valuation since July 2016, I qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer in May 2019 and later joined Knight Frank in December 2019.
As a member of Knight Frank’s Residential Valuation and Advisory team, I specialise in the valuation of houses and flats across Central London.
My role is focused on the valuation of single residential units for secured lending, but I also undertake valuations for taxation (CGT and IHT), private individuals, and accounting purposes.
I was promoted from Surveyor to Senior Surveyor in July 2021, and to Associate Partner in June 2023.
Charlotte Hewett | Associate, Manager | Knight Frank
I was an international Opera Singer for seven years when I decided to embark upon the Property industry which has run in my family for decades.
I quickly had five interviews and subsequently had five job offers from all the interviews that I attended and I decided to accept the job offer from one of the most prestigious companies in prime central London.
During my endeavour at my first company I was consecutively the top performer for volume within the London region year on year and was promoted from negotiator to associate director within three years, which was unheard of within our industry.
I was a loyal director and stayed with that company for four years despite the fact that I was head-hunted by other companies and was given other job offers on a regular basis.
I decided after four years that it was time to embark upon a new challenge and eventually accepted a position within another prestigious company having turned their job offer down few years prior.
Financial aspect of the occupation is of course important but this was not the centre of my attention. What I was craving for was a position where I can inspire other people and lead a team of individuals towards success in their career. I have managed to create a great team within my current company having been promoted to manager position after only four months.
Neetal Rajput | Group Manager - Planning | Slough Borough Council
I studied Geography at Kings College London and undertook a Masters (MSc) in Sustainability and Planning at Kingston University.
I have worked in development management for over 15 years, in both the private and public sector. I started my planning career in the public sector a graduate and after four years I moved to the private sector and moved in a Real Estate Team. I am currently working at a local planning authority as Group Manager (overseeing the Planning and Enforcement statutory function) on some of the most complex strategic major projects from redevelopment of estate regeneration to deliver new high quality sustainable and affordable homes, new health facilities to meet current and future demand and tackling local health inequality issues and most importantly to deliver development which meets the needs of our local communities in a sustainable manner now and for the future.
I lead a high performing Planning and Enforcement Team, which involves engagement with the local community/ businesses and elected Members. I regularly seek to improve our performance, deliver sustainable efficiencies and improve outcomes for all, I believe in inclusive growth. I motivate and support my team to ensure that feel empowered to make the right decisions.
Given my background in both the public and private sector, I am able to bring a multifaceted approach to the profession and a wider perspective when assessing complex schemes for development.
Donna Otchere | Co Founder | SiSTEM UK
Donna co-founded SiSTEM UK with her sister in 2022. It was created as a solution to an ongoing issue of lack of representation of women specifically black women within the STEM (science, technology, and mathematics) industry.
Donna had a passion for engineering despite not achieving the entry requirement and the discouragement from teachers she still broke barriers and studied mechanical engineering at university. Whilst she was at university, she felt very isolated as one of the few women on her course. It was support of her sisterhood which gave her the courage to complete the course. Since then, she has gone on to complete a master’s degree and now she is starting her PhD in Gender Equity in STEM. The beauty in her journey is that at every step, she has opened doors for other young ladies. SiSTEM launched as a social media platform to increase representation of women in STEM. When you searched #womeninSTEM, there was a lack of black women. It became her mission to change this. As well as showcasing women in STEM, SiSTEM educated their audience on different carers within STEM. A community of women grew and the SiSTEM movement began. Donna goes into schools, universities, festivals and anywhere that would give her a platform educating people on engineering and debunking the notion that engineering is just for men. She leads her team with unique visions through events, workshops, mentoring and social media to increase and retain women in STEM.