To coincide with Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day in March we will once again be celebrating the women who are shaping the asset finance industry. Every working day, we’ll be shining a light on one inspirational woman, sharing her story, achievements and how she’s making a difference.
Last year’s series was a great success and this year we’re building on that. Most women featured have been nominated by someone who took part in 2024 – a chain of recognition that keeps growing.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme – #AccelerateAction – is a call for real progress for women everywhere. Keep an eye out for our daily posts on LinkedIn and X. Let’s celebrate the women driving change in our industry!
#IWD25 spotlight 💪: I am Julie Peel, legal director at TLT LLP. I specialise in resolving financial services disputes. Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, I enjoyed a progressive career of nine years with National Westminster Bank plc and remain an associate of the London Institute of Banking & Finance. I am also a wellbeing and mental health champion.
Julie Peel, TLT LLP
What programmes or initiatives have you seen in the workplace that have brought about real change?
TLT has worked closely with its dedicated Women’s Equality Network and has introduced a number of enhancements aimed at making TLT a more welcoming, supportive environment for women. These policies have included free access to a menopause assessment & diagnosis service, a dedicated pregnancy loss policy; a boost to the firm’s maternity and shared parental leave policy; a ‘ramp up, ramp down’ programme for expectant and returning parents; competitive paternity and non-birthing parent leave provision and a flexible working policy allowing colleagues greater choice of when and where to work.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self not to wait for opportunities to come to me but to put myself forward for work and initiatives that I would like to get involved in. For example, in my early career, I did not put myself forward for promotion because I mistakenly thought that “if I was good enough” for promotion, I would be encouraged to do so. I can only recall one occasion when this happened. I would also tell myself that imperfect action is better than no action at all and that even if you don’t tick all the boxes of that job that you want to go for or don’t feel quite ready to do something, just go for it. There will never be a perfect time to try for something that you really want to achieve or have an interest in and even if you don’t get what you want first time, you will have learnt something from the experience. I would also tell myself to always be true to my own personal values.
My one action to #AccelerateAction in 2025 is… to advocate through our Women’s Equality Network for working practices which support women’s wellbeing in the workplace to allow women to thrive at work as well as be the best version of themselves in their personal life too. I hope this will help TLT achieve its new target of seeing 50% of partner positions occupied by women by 2029. As a mid-life woman, I am also keen to help influence ways in which we can retain and attract the wisdom, skill and experience of mid-life women who are often reluctant to apply for senior roles or decide to leave law completely despite still having a desire to do meaningful and challenging work. I would like to accelerate a reverse trend.
Nikki Lines, Simply
#IWD25 spotlight 💪: I am Nikki Lines, operations director at Simply Asset Finance.
What advice would you give women wanting to step into a leadership role?
Have a passion for people empowerment and personal growth. Being a strong leader means enabling others to perform at their best. Build a strong team that not only supports their development but enables you to do your best work. Be confident to make your leadership style your own. Seek out mentors who can challenge you, push you outside your comfort zone and help you grow both professionally and personally. Don’t shy away from taking on opportunities that stretch your abilities – leadership is built through experience and the courage to lead with both confidence and empathy. Build a strong network of women, where you can share experiences, advice and encouragement.
How do you stay motivated and inspired?
Past and present, I am extremely lucky to spend time with creative, forward-thinking women both in and outside of the workplace, including my two daughters – all of whom inspire me on a daily basis. As an industry we have come a long way in building inclusivity and providing exposure for a new generation as well as showcasing the work that incredible women do across our collective businesses, and I’m inspired to keep that momentum. I’m also an avid podcast listener, usually whilst walking the dog – it’s a great way to clear my head and find inspiration away from my desk!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Saying yes to every opportunity, even if outside your comfort zone will never be something you regret. Recognise what you do well and surround yourself with others who can educate you in the rest, you don’t have to know everything! Always look at the positives and opportunities in any situation, it will stand you in good stead to navigate the challenges. Finally, there is nothing wrong with bringing your whole self to work – don’t feel apologetic for the other important commitments in your life such as a family, seek out leaders that allow you to be confident that you can have both a successful career and a full life outside of work.
My one action to #AccelerateAction in 2025 is… to acknowledge, promote and celebrate the amazing work that my female colleagues do.
Patricia Wolfe, Athlon
#IWD25 spotlight 💪: I am Patricia Wolfe, managing director at Athlon UK.
What has enabled you to succeed?
Being honest about my strengths and weaknesses, I know I can improve both but having teams around me that compliment my own strengths and weaknesses make for a more successful and dynamic culture and business.
How has your leadership style changed over time?
Accepting that compromise is part of leadership and to ‘win’ at all costs isn’t beneficial to anyone.
My one action to #AccelerateAction in 2025 is… to share my knowledge, experience and career path to enable others to reach their full potential.
Lucy Chisholm, DF Capital
#IWD25 spotlight 💪: I am Lucy Chisholm, customer services manager at DF Capital.
I am responsible for ensuring our customers get the very best service when banking with us. Apart from that, I am managing an amazing group of people, and helping them learn and develop new skills is one of the most rewarding parts of my job!
What advice would you give women starting their career?
The biggest piece of advice I have learnt over the past 4 years is to believe in yourself. Have trust in your own ability and unique perspectives you bring.
Be assertive but also be willing to embrace challenge – don’t be afraid to voice your opinions. What is unfamiliar will feel uncomfortable at first, but will soon become natural – this is growth!
How do you stay motivated and inspired?
Be organised and set yourself clear goals. Celebrate the small wins when you tick them off! Be curious and learn new skills – Explore new things, learn from colleagues/friends/family. Learning from others is a great way to motivate you
My one action to #AccelerateAction in 2025 is… to be a role model/mentor for women entering the world of finance, helping support them and reach their potential
Charlotte Johnson, Ricoh Capital
#IWD25 spotlight 💪: I am Charlotte Johnson, new business director at Ricoh Capital. I drive the commercial agenda for the Ricoh captive finance proposition to enable Ricoh to support business’ transformation.
What makes a good role model?
A good role model is someone who is self-aware, stays true to themselves, who lifts others up and who leads with kindness and empathy.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t ever underestimate yourself; believe in yourself and share your ideas and opinions – they are as valid as anyone else’s. Don’t ever be afraid to ask if you don’t know something; there is no such thing as a silly question. Finally, remember that every job teaches you something – even if you don’t feel it at the time.
My one action to #AccelerateAction in 2025 is… to mentor a younger female in my network. Share my knowledge, experiences and mistakes and to support them find their own path to success. I am lucky to say that the organisations and leaders I have worked for during my career, both male and female, have always supported me in my career growth so want to pay this forward.
Elizabeth Flynn, Lombard
I am Elizabeth Flynn, director of asset finance at Lombard.
My role is to lead a team of 9 professional and successful individuals supporting our customers growth, through asset finance, winning together.
I am all about our customers and colleagues, supporting colleagues in their self -development and career, in turn helping our customers and celebrating each day as we learn something new, collaborate and win.
What advice would you give women wanting to step into a leadership role?
My advice based on my recent success, would be to build a strong network, don’t be shy about making your intention known and why, what you are going to do to get there and seek out a mentor or more than one who can share their experience, be open to feedback and believe in yourself. Be resilient, be willing to learn, be proactive. There is only you stopping you. You can do this; you are strong and capable and you will inspire others along the way.
What do you like most about the asset finance industry?
How as an asset finance professional I can be there to support the customer by providing tailored solutions to meet the customer needs. Many may feel it is just asset finance, wow, it is so much more than that. By supporting our customers there is a direct contribution to economic growth, supporting local businesses and in turn communities.
What impact has mentoring had on your career?
Choosing a mentor that can add value and challenge you is key – you need to put the work in. Having a mentor meant I was able to seek guidance on my plans, listen to feedback and adapt, use the support and their expertise to reach out to others therefore expanding my network and my brand. I was encouraged, I felt supported, I was challenged, I listened and it is vital even when you achieve your ambition you maintain a relationship, your needs will change so your mentor may also, embrace this and go for it.
My one action to #AccelerateAction in 2025 is… to remain open to change and be adaptable. Encourage others to do the same the more we do together the better. Celebrate success no matter how small this may seem and importantly enjoy!
Jo Thorn, Acquis Insurance
I am Jo Thorn, client development manager at Acquis Insurance. As a client development manager, my role means I work and collaborate with a variety of people from across the industry, developing mutually beneficial long-term relationships.
What can women do to support women?
It’s something I tell my daughter all the time – that as women we should be doing all we can to support each other. We aren’t in competition with each other and progress happens when we champion other women and celebrate our achievements. Creating support networks, whether that’s at work or in our personal lives, we should be able to share our experiences, judgement-free.
What do you like most about the asset finance industry?
It’s a truly relationship-driven industry, where every day is different, which has given me the chance to work with amazing people, from all corners of the world and learn about their roles and life experiences.
Having worked within the industry for more than 20 years, I’ve been able to develop my career and asset finance provides me with so many avenues to grow and explore. It’s an industry where women’s experiences are valued and here at Acquis I get to work with amazing women who support each other and understand the unique challenges and fun that it brings.
My one action to #AccelerateAction in 2025 is… To continue to mentor the next generation within Acquis. Taking part in the mentoring programme means I can provide those who are just beginning in the industry with the support and guidance they need – and the opportunity to celebrate their success. I think it’s so important to recognise those everyday wins, which we may not notice ourselves, but that are achievements which should be recognised.
Georgia Bright, Praetura Lending
I am Georgia Bright, Assoc CIPD, group people and talent partner at Praetura Group.
As a HR generalist, my role is widespread. I cover everything from recruiting the right talent and supporting employees, to operations, writing policies, delivering training, and managing employee relations.
How do you inspire inclusion in your organisation?
Inclusion in the workplace isn’t one-size-fits-all, so creating a space where people can be their authentic selves, and embracing employee representation, is vital to achieving true inclusion. Initiatives have the greatest impact when people feel heard and valued. As part of my leadership role on Praetura’s employee Task Force, I help maintain a direct feedback loop between our people and the Senior Leadership Team. Champions within the business influence ways of working, ensuring our policies and processes remain inclusive and evolve with our people.
We promote inclusion through education, including webinars, lunch-and-learn sessions, and by spotlighting individuals in our company newsletter.
What will be the key skills for the future?
Technology is ever evolving; automation, AI and remote working are reshaping our industry. I believe this makes strong people skills even more desirable for businesses. A person’s ability to communicate clearly, build relationships, and manage difficult situations with empathy is irreplaceable.
Adapting to different personalities and individual needs is what sets strong leaders apart. Investing in people skills isn’t just important, it’s essential in the digital age.
My one action to #AccelerateAction in 2025 is… to champion my female and non-binary colleagues, friends and peers. Whether it’s a new business venture, personal milestone, or a career opportunity. I will advocate for them, recommend them, support them, and encourage them to go for that promotion they deserve. Let’s rewrite the narrative – there’s room for women at all levels. It’s not about competing for one spot; it’s about lifting each other up.
