Why do we make the financial decisions we do? In this latest episode of Talent Talks, host Sarah Sandle is joined by Ylva Baeckström - finance expert, psychotherapist and author - to explore the psychology of money and the beliefs, experiences and behaviours that shape our relationship with it. Together they discuss financial confidence, investing, the gender wealth gap, and the practical steps women can take to build greater control over their financial future.

NB: Auto-enrolment is referenced in the episode - exact details of how this works can be found here.

Dr Ylva Baeckström is a former banker and fintech entrepreneur, now a psychotherapist, and Senior Lecturer at King’s Business School where she heads up Sustainable Finance at the Centre for Sustainable Business. 

Ylva is an expert on financial advice, gender and sustainability in financial services. With her work she aims to create positive impact for the benefit of society, businesses and individuals. Ylva delivered a TEDx in 2020 and her book Gender and Finance was published in 2022. Ylva’s research has contributed to the UK government inquiry Sexism in the City and is published in academic journals including: Journal of Corporate Finance, European Journal of Finance, Journal of Business Ethics, Gender, Work & Organization. 

Ylva is Associate Editor at The European Journal of Finance and Gender, Work & Organization and a Senior Fellow of Rennes Business School. 

Her work is featured in the media: e.g., Bloomberg, CNBC, Financial Times, Independent, Investors' Chronicle, Sunday Times, Conversation UK and Evening Standard. Collaborating widely with financial services institutions, Ylva is a highly regarded speaker and contributor. 

Connect with Ylva on LinkedIn.

In episode 3 of season 7, Sarah talks to Emily Boxall, co-founder of financial engagement app 2mins. Together they explore what is driving financial engagement for the younger generation and why people often choose to switch off from money conversations.

Emily Boxall is the Co-founder of 2mins, the app turning financial education into engaging, bite-sized games. Her background spans marketing, communications and journalism, including freelance writing for the Investors’ Chronicle. She co-founded 2mins with her dad, Chris Boxall, and together they are on a mission to build financial confidence through humour, creativity and fun.

Website: 2minsapp.co.uk

LinkedIn: 2mins 

Personal LinkedIn: Emily Boxall

Instagram: @2minsapp

TikTok: @2minsapp

Sarah chats to Lily McNally about her experience with money, what it means to be truly financially independent and how a frog and an elephant both feature! 

Lily is the design lead for the Scottish Widows app at Lloyds Banking Group. She’s all about designing experiences that are straightforward, engaging and delightful. To meet users where they are, help them do the things they want to do easily, and leave them feeling lighter. 

In the last few years, Lily has used her own lived experience and storytelling superpowers to really focus in on the unique barriers women face when it comes to financial independence - to support women in the UK to reach a better financial future.

Lily is also a strong advocate for greater representation in decision-making. She believes we need more women - and more lived experiences - “in the rooms where big decisions are made”, ensuring financial products and services truly reflect the people they serve.

Connect with Lily on LinkedIn.

In this first episode of season 7 Sarah chats with Rebecca Leiper, who is an Engagement Consultant at Scottish Widows, specialising in Workplace Pension engagement. She talks through getting her first payslip and why it pays to understand all of those different calculations, the importance of saving early into your pension and making and sticking to budget!

Rebecca  works closely with employers, advisers, and internal teams to design and deliver impactful campaigns, digital journeys, and member experiences that improve financial outcomes. Rebecca is particularly passionate about women’s financial wellbeing and closing the gender pension gap, contributing to industry reports, events, and thought leadership. Externally, Rebecca is involved in various networks within the industry including Scottish Financial Enterprise Young Professionals and Gender Equality Networks, Women in Banking and Finance, Future Asset and Her Wealth Network.

Scottish Widows Women & Retirement Report 2025

Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn

In this episode, Laura chats with Kate Monserrate, founder of Simplify Consulting, who shares her journey of building a values-led consultancy through risk-taking, resilience, and a strong commitment to people and culture. 

She reflects on personal challenges—including leaving an abusive relationship and navigating cancer treatment—and how these experiences shaped her mindset, driving her to lead with courage, prioritise wellbeing, and create a more inclusive workplace for women. 

The conversation highlights the importance of bravery, adaptability, and continuous learning in a fast-changing industry, encouraging listeners to embrace discomfort, leverage their networks, and actively shape their careers and the future of financial services.

Kate Monserrate is an accomplished leader and experienced consultant with over 20 years’ experience in financial services helping businesses deliver and embed large scale transformational change across the value change from asset managers, technology and platform providers to administrators and advisor networks. 

In 2014 Kate co-founded Simplify Consulting to deliver maximum value to clients including several key players within the wealth industry applying core values of simplicity, professionalism, and tenacious delivery. 

Using her personal experience as a female leader and business owner, Kate understands and advocates for diversity and inclusion to break down barriers and promote fairness in workplace opportunities. 

Kate’s LinkedIn 

Simplify LinkedIn 

Gender Gap Whitepaper - PowerPoint Presentation

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. 

Resources

Connect with Anna on LinkedIn

The 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.

Resources

Connect with Jill on LinkedIn

Read more about the Women and Retirement Report

Find out more about Women in Banking Finance (WiBF)