Many believe that professionals know where they want to go and how to get there. But in reality, most of us end up walking a nonlinear career path that brings us places we never could have envisioned. Listening to the interesting stories from our guests and host; Steve Butler - CEO of Punter Southall Aspire, Boma Lisa Young-Harry - CEO at HSBC Bank Pension Trust UK Ltd and Gillian Hepburn - Head of UK Intermediary Solutions, Schroders.

Join Gillian Hepburn from Schroder’s with this month’s guests Doug Faulkner who coaches in Financial Services, and Holly Nardi, Associate, Investment Consultant and Content Creator from Redington, for an exciting discussion about how training and guidance through coaching can help you reach your professional goals!

How do we network for maximum effect?

Understanding the power of networking and how we achieve the best results are some of the questions we will be looking at this month. Join our host Gillian Hepburn from Schroders, with our guest Rose St Louis Protection Director at Lloyds Banking Group and student Mayo Akele, studying a PhD in Mathematics at the University of Nottingham to discuss hints and tips on getting the best from networking when time is precious.

What difference can a mentor make? Does it matter if a mentor is a man or a woman? Should it be someone who is part of our business?  

Could you be a Mentor without knowing it? Join Gillian Hepburn, Head of UK Intermediary Solutions from Schroders, with this month's guests Emma Douglas, Responsible Investment Consultant from Lane Clark & Peacock, and Scarlett Hilson-Wheeler, a student from Exeter University studying an integrated Masters in Mathematics with proficiency in Spanish for an intriguing discussion around mentoring. The panel will be covering what a good mentoring relationship looks like and the many benefits for our professional and personal development.

Once thought of as impossible, the pandemic has proven that we can do flexible working in the Investment and Savings Industry on mass. With so many benefits, especially for women, employers are now looking into the nature of work but also the design of work. Find out what the future of flex working is, and what the Schroders new approach is in this thought provoking conversation between our host Gillian Hepburn, Emma Holden, Global Head of HR at Schroders and Michelle Munyi who has a BSc in Economic History from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

The Skills Workshop has got 60 companies involved across the industry, so sign up to our free unlimited access programme where you can learn lots and ask questions in virtual, evening sessions: www.diversityproject.com/theskillsworkshop. Rachel Green, the Founder of The Skills Workshop and Nazor Ukwuegbu, an MBA student from Warwick Business School, who has been attending the sessions will be on this month's podcast to tell you more and explain why you shouldn't miss out!

It's a myth that you need to have done a maths or economics degree to get a job in investments. Do you have an IT or tech degree? Is it your passion? Here we focus on women and technology, the many different roles available and why you should join. Sign up and be inspired by our amazing speakers, including Felicia Meyerowitz Singh, the CEO of a Fintech company, as they discuss their experience and give our listeners their top tips.

Whilst there is still much to do in this space, the industry is actively working on becoming more diverse and inclusive. On this podcast, our host Gillian Hepburn talks to our guest student Toni Thorne on what they expect in this area from employers and hear first hand from Nicci Take, who is passionate about women's rights and her transgender journey in the Industry.

What’s the difference between EQ and IQ? Is emotional intelligence misunderstood? Is it confused with ‘being emotional’ and are women more emotional than men, and if so, why and is it an issue? Join Gillian Hepburn of Schroders and this month’s guests Upasna Bhadhal, Founder of the Career Collective and Bukola Afonja, Economics Graduate, as we get up close and personal and explore these questions in the context of women in financial services, how we can use EQ as a superpower, how managers might need to develop EQ, how to use some of this to maximise productivity at work, and so much more.

In celebration of International Women's Day this month we are proud of being women in the Investment and Savings Industry. Listen to Gillian Hepburn of Schroders, Maggie Craig , FCA, Head of Scotland Office and Danielle Hughes, Head of Early Careers recruitment at Schroders, discuss the perception that people need to be a certain "type" to progress in our industry, and what this mean in terms of gender.