Progress Together is a not-for-profit membership body that launched in May 2022 to create equity of progression for individuals in the financial services sector. We seek to level the playing field and ensure equal access to senior level roles for all, including those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Meet the team working to achieve our goals below.
Vincent Keaveny – Chairman
Vincent is the late Lord Mayor of London, where his Mayoral Theme was People & Purpose, championing a purpose-led and people-focused UK Financial and Professional Services sector. During his time in post, he co-chaired the government-commissioned City of London Taskforce, which led to the creation of Progress Together.
He is a partner in the international business law firm DLA Piper and is currently a member of the Policy & Resources Committee and the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub-committee. He is also a Governor of the City of London School. Vincent is also Co-Chair of the HM Treasury & BEIS Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce.
Vincent lives in London with his wife, Amanda, an Intensive Care Nurse. His interests include theatre and the arts, and he is a trustee of the Sir John Soane’s Museum, where he is the Independent Director on the Board. In what spare time he has, he enjoys tennis and walking his Labrador.
Sophie Hulm – Chief Executive
As Head of Skills Policy at the City of London, Sophie was the founder and architect of a Government-commissioned Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce. Sophie sees a clear link between the skills and labour challenges which exist in UK financial services and the need for greater socio-economic diversity at senior levels. Sophie joined Progress Together as Chief Executive in September 2022.
Sophie currently sits on the SteerCo for the 30% Club and has led a number of high-profile initiatives, including the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards. Throughout her working life, Sophie has focused on the power of business to bring about change, including working for a welfare-to-work organisation, a Corporate Responsibility membership body, and as a trustee for Governors for Schools.
Her dad is a working-class East Londoner, and her mum is a retired academic with immigrant parents. She lives with her partner and two mixed-race children who are big fans of Pokemon and Octonauts.
Sophie Hulm – Chief Executive
As Head of Skills Policy at the City of London, Sophie was the founder and architect of a Government-commissioned Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce. Sophie sees a clear link between the skills and labour challenges which exist in UK financial services and the need for greater socio-economic diversity at senior levels. Sophie joined Progress Together as Chief Executive in September 2022.
Sophie currently sits on the SteerCo for the 30% Club and has led a number of high-profile initiatives, including the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards. Throughout her working life, Sophie has focused on the power of business to bring about change, including working for a welfare-to-work organisation, a Corporate Responsibility membership body, and as a trustee for Governors for Schools.
Her dad is a working-class East Londoner, and her mum is a retired academic with immigrant parents. She lives with her partner and two mixed-race children who are big fans of Pokemon and Octonauts.
Khaled Rahman – Team Co-ordinator
Khaled’s background is in project management, systems management, and data analysis. He has successfully project managed large research programmes, ensuring their smooth execution and delivery. His expertise in systems management includes implementing and optimising tools like Salesforce, which has enhanced team communication and data accuracy. Khaled is also skilled in data analysis, using insights to drive decision-making and performance improvements.
Khaled’s passion for Progress Together’s goals stems from his personal life experiences, where he benefitted from initiatives aimed at individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, such as free school meals and mentoring schemes. He is actively engaged in his local community by supporting local initiatives.
In his spare time, Khaled enjoys playing tennis and football, as well as playing badminton regularly. He is also passionate about staying active, whether through sports or other physical activities, and finds joy in spending time outdoors.
Saiful Islam – Head of Operations
Saiful joined Progress Together in February 2023 and is committed to creating a level playing field for everyone in the financial services sector. Saiful was born to first-generation migrant parents and raised in a council estate in East London. Saiful’s dedication to his education allowed him to excel academically, earning a degree in computer science and building a successful career within the employability, recruitment and skills sector.
Saiful is driven to help others overcome the challenges he faced in his own career. He strongly believes that talent and skills should be the only factors considered when it comes to promotion. As a proud father of twins, Saiful is committed to creating a better future for his children and for future generations.
He enjoys watching lectures and listening to podcasts by influential figures within business, technology, and motoring.
Saiful Islam – Head of Operations
Saiful joined Progress Together in February 2023 and is committed to creating a level playing field for everyone in the financial services sector. Saiful was born to first-generation migrant parents and raised in a council estate in East London. Saiful’s dedication to his education allowed him to excel academically, earning a degree in computer science and building a successful career within the employability, recruitment and skills sector.
Saiful is driven to help others overcome the challenges he faced in his own career. He strongly believes that talent and skills should be the only factors considered when it comes to promotion. As a proud father of twins, Saiful is committed to creating a better future for his children and for future generations.
He enjoys watching lectures and listening to podcasts by influential figures within business, technology, and motoring.
Calista Lewis – Marketing and Communications Manager
Calista joined Progress Together as Marketing and Communications Manager in January 2023. A qualified journalist, she spent her early career as a reporter and editor before moving into PR, marketing and events.
She has previously worked in both independent and state education, successfully devising and implementing a gender diversity marketing strategy to encourage more young women into science, technology, engineering and maths. As a lead member of the University Technical College Marketing Network, she has spoken at national conferences and is set on improving diversity by sharing people’s stories to inspire others.
Calista lives in Devon with her husband and daughter. Her dad is of Anglo-Indian heritage, and her mum is a Midlander born and bred.
Calista enjoys beach walks, dance classes and musical theatre – especially Hamilton!
Rebecca Ramage – Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Rebecca joined Progress Together as Marketing and Communications Coordinator in July 2024, bringing her passion for social equality and diverse representation to the team. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Business Management, Rebecca’s academic background has equipped her with valuable skills in strategic communication and project management.
Born and raised in Edinburgh, Rebecca’s upbringing in a working-class family instilled in her a deep appreciation for hard work and perseverance. Her experiences navigating the competitive job market as a first-generation university graduate have fueled her commitment to Progress Together’s mission of creating equitable opportunities in the financial services sector.
In her free time, Rebecca can often be found exploring Edinburgh’s cozy cafes with a good book in hand, experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen, or hiking the scenic trails of the Scottish Highlands. Her love for storytelling and community engagement drives her dedication to amplifying diverse voices within the industry.
Rebecca Ramage – Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Rebecca joined Progress Together as Marketing and Communications Coordinator in July 2024, bringing her passion for social equality and diverse representation to the team. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Business Management, Rebecca’s academic background has equipped her with valuable skills in strategic communication and project management.
Born and raised in Edinburgh, Rebecca’s upbringing in a working-class family instilled in her a deep appreciation for hard work and perseverance. Her experiences navigating the competitive job market as a first-generation university graduate have fueled her commitment to Progress Together’s mission of creating equitable opportunities in the financial services sector.
In her free time, Rebecca can often be found exploring Edinburgh’s cozy cafes with a good book in hand, experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen, or hiking the scenic trails of the Scottish Highlands. Her love for storytelling and community engagement drives her dedication to amplifying diverse voices within the industry.
Mona Vadher – Head of Strategy (Memberships and Programmes)
Mona is a social mobility advocate, deeply committed to diversity, inclusion and social impact. She has a track record of driving change and has created award-winning initiatives that have raised aspirations, driven employability prospects and increased confidence for young people from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Mona believes that your background should not determine your life outcomes, and so there should be equity in progression. She has set up complex, purpose-driven programmes for organisations such as the City of London Corporation, the Department for Education and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. In 2020, Mona set up the Government-commissioned Socio-Economic Diversity taskforce and ran the secretariat.
Mona joined Progress Together in May. Prior to joining, she was a Director at LMP Action CIC and sat on the Senior Executive Board for the LMP Group. Mona is a Governor at the John Dewey Specialist College and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Her parents are both working-class, first-generation immigrants. Mona is a Tottenham Hotspur fan, enjoys the theatre and, in her spare time, directs plays. She lives with her husband and her cat Luna.
Joanna Lindley – Head of Memberships
Jo joined Progress Together in July 2024. She has led a diverse value driven career, with a focus on inclusion, social mobility and progression in the Arts, Health and Social Care, Children and Young People and most recently as UK Director of The British-American Project, a transatlantic social progression Fellowship for notable leaders across all sectors of society.
Jo has a passion for developing communities and peer networks, driving change through evidence, advocacy and a strong commitment to realising equality and levelling out opportunities.
Jo is a Non-Executive Board Member at Ride For Freedom, a young modern slavery organisation working to provide rehabilitation to survivors and advocate for systemic change in a growing global challenge. Jo is also a Family Ambassador for London’s Air Ambulance, who saved her son’s life.
Jo went to state school in Gospel Oak in North London, later studying an Art History BA and then Cultural Policy MA at university. It look Jo 23 years to pay off her student loans.
Her Dad was from a working-class Army family, receiving a bursary to study at Cambridge University, later becoming a well known television reporter. Her Mum went to University in later life, and subsequently worked as a counsellor at a GP surgery in a deprived area of Great Yarmouth.
Jo has three children, two cats, one dog and her partner is a Glaswegian Sikh.
Joanna Lindley – Head of Memberships
Jo joined Progress Together in July 2024. She has led a diverse value driven career, with a focus on inclusion, social mobility and progression in the Arts, Health and Social Care, Children and Young People and most recently as UK Director of The British-American Project, a transatlantic social progression Fellowship for notable leaders across all sectors of society.
Jo has a passion for developing communities and peer networks, driving change through evidence, advocacy and a strong commitment to realising equality and levelling out opportunities.
Jo is a Non-Executive Board Member at Ride For Freedom, a young modern slavery organisation working to provide rehabilitation to survivors and advocate for systemic change in a growing global challenge. Jo is also a Family Ambassador for London’s Air Ambulance, who saved her son’s life.
Jo went to state school in Gospel Oak in North London, later studying an Art History BA and then Cultural Policy MA at university. It took Jo 23 years to pay off her student loans.
Her Dad was from a working-class Army family, receiving a bursary to study at Cambridge University, later becoming a well known television reporter. Her Mum went to University in later life, and subsequently worked as a counsellor at a GP surgery in a deprived area of Great Yarmouth.
Jo has three children, two cats, one dog and her partner is a Glaswegian Sikh.
Abubakar Mehdi – Partnerships Manager
Abubakar Mehdi joined Progress Together as Partnerships Manager in July 2024, bringing extensive experience in research and client engagement within the legal, financial, and procurement sectors. Recognised for his ability to forge transformative relationships, Abubakar is dedicated to driving positive social impact by helping businesses develop robust strategies to achieve their ESG and D&I goals.
Abubakar holds an LLM in International Commercial and Trade Law from the University of Sussex. Originally from a small town in Punjab, Pakistan, he is deeply passionate about social mobility and wants to see people thrive and grow in their chosen careers irrespective of their background.
Outside of work, Abubakar enjoys reading and has a deep interest in politics, literature, philosophy, and science. He values spending time outdoors with friends and family, maintaining a balance between his professional commitments and personal passions.
Elaine Boyes – Programmes Manager
Elaine has a background in professional association management and professional publishing. Elaine has held leadership positions in professional associations representing a variety of occupations and industry sectors. She has been a Trustee of the Science Council and Director of the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP). Elaine is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Manufacturing (RSA).
Elaine was the first member of her family to go to university, having been raised by working-class parents in a small northern town. She has a personal interest in social mobility. In a previous role, she worked closely with volunteer working parties to address social mobility and regional inequality for HE students and graduates.
Elaine enjoys walking and having tackled the Yorkshire Wolds Way in 2023 plans to take on the other national trails. In her spare time, she volunteers in her local community and takes her dog to the beach.
