Hannah Awonuga
Hannah Awonuga is a former Global Director, Head of Colleague Engagement within the Group DEI function at Barclays Bank. Hannah has been working in banking since she was 17 years old. Hannah attributes her achievements in banking to her humble beginnings, which caused her to live independently since the age of 15; socioeconomic inclusion is a topic very close and personal to her.
Hannah Awonuga is the Founder of Rarity London inclusion and development services; Rarity was founded in 2017 to support diverse professional women to excel in their careers actively. As the company has evolved, Hannah Awonuga actively uses her voice as an award-winning thought leader who speaks on panels at events and workshops centred around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion topics.
In 2020 Hannah was appointed as a foundation school governor at her previous catholic college and joined the National black governor’s network board as a trustee. In 2021 Hannah launched the “Meet My Future Self” initiative, which focuses on inspiring 13- to 14-year-old school girls in lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Jenny Baskerville
Jenny is passionately committed to improving the outcomes of individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, both professionally and in a personal capacity.
As Head of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, and formerly Head of Social Mobility for one of the most progressive social mobility employers across the UK, Jenny has spent over a decade initiating, co-creating, and delivering award-winning social mobility strategies. This includes KPMG UK’s ambition for 29% of its future leaders to be from a low socio-economic background by 2030.
Alongside her role at KPMG UK, Jenny is also the Chair of the Living Wage Foundation’s Advisory Council, a Board Trustee of East London Business Alliance, an Access Accountancy Patron Group Member and a City of London Corporation Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce Working Group Member.
Jenny Baskerville
Jenny is passionately committed to improving the outcomes of individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, both professionally and in a personal capacity.
As Head of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, and formerly Head of Social Mobility for one of the most progressive social mobility employers across the UK, Jenny has spent over a decade initiating, co-creating, and delivering award-winning social mobility strategies. This includes KPMG UK’s ambition for 29% of its future leaders to be from a low socio-economic background by 2030.
Alongside her role at KPMG UK, Jenny is also the Chair of the Living Wage Foundation’s Advisory Council, a Board Trustee of East London Business Alliance, an Access Accountancy Patron Group Member and a City of London Corporation Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce Working Group Member.
John Collins
John grew up in Halifax, attending local state schools and the University of Hull, the first member of either side of his family to obtain a degree. He moved to London in 1990 to train as a solicitor, subsequently working in several banks.
He has recently retired as the Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer of Santander UK, having previously served as the Deputy General Counsel/General Counsel of RBS(NatWest) Group and before that in the same capacities for ABN AMRO.
In John’s most recent role, he was responsible for leading a group of multiple disciplinary teams totalling approximately 500 people covering a broad range of activities. He was a member of the Executive Committee of Santander UK, the Executive Sponsor for Social Mobility, on the Board of the Santander Foundation and, until June 2022, externally he chaired the UK Finance Economic Crime Board.
He is currently non-executive Chairman of the UK Finance cross-sector scams and fraud strategy.
Alderman Vincent Keaveny
Alderman Vincent Keaveny was elected as the 693rd Lord Mayor of the City of London in 2021, having previously served as Sheriff of the City of London in 2018-19.
He is a partner in the international business law firm, DLA Piper. Where he advises on debt capital markets, structured finance and securitisation transactions in the UK and banks, financial institutions and corporate clients in the UK and internationally on banking, finance and capital markets transactions.
During Vincent’s year as Lord Mayor, the focus was on championing a purpose-led and people-focused UK FPS sector; growing the global competitiveness of the UK as a world leader in ESG and sustainable finance and home to the best and most diverse global talent; driving social mobility at all levels. He is Chair of the Progress Together board.
Dipi McKernan
Dipi is Managing Director at M&G Wealth. She was previously an Executive Board Member and Chief Operating Officer of Fidelity Holdings Limited until 2023. Dipi has over 25 years experience in the financial services industry and has held senior roles at the FCA, Barclays and Deutsche Bank.
She is an active advocate for diversity and inclusion. Dipi is the Executive Co-Sponsor for Social Mobility and is listed in Involve Heroes top 100 Executive Role Models for 2022.
Dipi was an active member of the government-commissioned City of London Corporation Taskforce to boost socio-economic diversity in UK financial and professional services, and was instrumental in the development of Progress Together, as part of a group of 30 industry leaders chosen to make a difference and promote social mobility across the UK financial and professional services sector.
Dipi McKernan
Dipi is Managing Director at M&G Wealth. She was previously an Executive Board Member and Chief Operating Officer of Fidelity Holdings Limited until 2023. Dipi has over 25 years experience in the financial services industry and has held senior roles at the FCA, Barclays and Deutsche Bank.
She is an active advocate for diversity and inclusion. Dipi is the Executive Co-Sponsor for Social Mobility and is listed in Involve Heroes top 100 Executive Role Models for 2022.
Dipi was an active member of the government-commissioned City of London Corporation Taskforce to boost socio-economic diversity in UK financial and professional services, and was instrumental in the development of Progress Together, as part of a group of 30 industry leaders chosen to make a difference and promote social mobility across the UK financial and professional services sector.
Nadia Minors
Nadia is Vice President, Head of Compliance at Vocalink, a Mastercard company. She previously worked at HSBC in various risk and compliance leadership roles, latterly as a Global and Europe Senior Manager within Transaction Banking; Global Payments Solutions. Prior to HSBC, Nadia worked at KPMG within their Forensics practice.
Nadia is a passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) and embraces mentorship, firmly believing in equal opportunities for all, regardless of socio-economic background. Nadia acknowledges the productivity, impact, and outcomes that diverse organisations yield and is dedicated to supporting the UK Financial Services sector, level the playing field.
Michael Turner
Michael is the former CEO of Man FRM and Man Solutions. He grew up in a working-class background in the north of England, studying at a comprehensive school before going on to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics at the University of Oxford and a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Southampton.
Throughout his life, Michael has worked extremely hard and has been fortunate to have many opportunities come his way as a result. He has always found the guidance of mentors to be critical to his journey and feels passionately that others from backgrounds similar to his should have the same support and opportunities to thrive in our industry.
Michael Turner
Michael is the former CEO of Man FRM and Man Solutions. He grew up in a working-class background in the north of England, studying at a comprehensive school before going on to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics at the University of Oxford and a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Southampton.
Throughout his life, Michael has worked extremely hard and has been fortunate to have many opportunities come his way as a result. He has always found the guidance of mentors to be critical to his journey and feels passionately that others from backgrounds similar to his should have the same support and opportunities to thrive in our industry.
Kelly Whittington
Kelly started in Financial Services as a school leaver and is now the Director of Property Claims in Aviva.
She has had had to overcome a number of challenges along the way but has also been lucky enough to have some great advocates along the way.
She wants to support and help others in the same way by addressing some of the issues that mean this is not happening consistently everywhere.
