At Fairstone, we see International Women’s Day on March 8 as an opportunity to listen, reflect and celebrate.
This year’s theme, “Give to Gain”, is a powerful reminder that when we share our knowledge, uplift one another and create space for different voices, we all grow stronger. Progress happens when we invest in others, and in doing so, move forward together.
We’re proud to share thoughts from women across our organisation, highlighting their experiences, insights and what International Women’s Day means to them.
Their voices reinforce the importance of opportunity, equity and empowerment, in our workplace and beyond.
“I joined Fairstone on 16 May 2012 and I have been here as a Self-Employed Financial Adviser ever since.
My role is to look after and advise clients. I love the problem solving of that and meeting people. Having worked in such a male-dominated career normally being the only female financial adviser, I forgot to see myself as that and thought of myself as just an adviser.
Joining Fairstone, I learned that female clients love to have female financial advisers. It turns out that many get ignored by male advisers in some firms. For me, this seemed to be an untapped market. I have been my most successful at Fairstone and won an award at the annual conference in 2018 for customer service.
For young females wondering whether to pursue a career as an IFA, I would say please do – although there are more of us now, we are still under-represented.
International Women’s Day is interesting for me. If you had asked me what I thought about this 10 years ago I would have said, based on my experience, that I thought things were relatively straightforward for women and I think that was from my determination that made me succeed.
Reflecting on this now, I think it is so important to recognise how different things are for women in the workplace and what others have sacrificed in order for us to have the opportunities that we have today. IWD for me is a time to reflect on all those amazing women.
If I could pay it forward to at least one other woman before I retire, that would be my dream.”
“I’m an Independent Financial Adviser at Fairstone and relatively new to the firm. It was the cultural fit that led me here, and the supportive and encouraging environment that has allowed it to be such an enjoyable and enriching experience so far.
Previously, I was a self-employed adviser within a large network. While that model offered independence, it could also feel quite isolating a lot of the time without the day-to-day collaboration and shared energy of a team environment.
I absolutely feel supported as a woman at Fairstone. The fact that Fairstone is a safe space that encourages growth and development – and provides the utmost support, regardless of who you are, is evident.
As a woman, I still have a voice, and this hasn’t always been the case at other firms in the past.
I think the important thing to highlight is that the support here at Fairstone is universal across the board, regardless of whether you are a man or a woman.”
“What excites me about the future of women in wealth management is that women are not just accepted in the industry anymore, they’re actually needed.
The Great Wealth Transfer is a prime example of this, as is the fact that there are now more women owning and leading businesses than ever before.
I’m not saying that all women only want to work with women, but women being available in client-facing roles is so important and it’s so great that this is being recognised.
The number of advisers who are women is unfortunately still low but it’s clear to see that there are big pushes and attempts to change this.”
“I joined Fairstone two years ago, having started my career as a solicitor advising clients on their wills, powers of attorney, tax and trusts before moving into roles where I managed other advisers and becoming increasingly involved in the leadership of advice businesses.
As one of our three managing directors, I work as part of the senior management team and across the business to make sure we remain one of the leading independent financial advice businesses in the UK where our colleagues across the country can all play their part in making sure our clients are well looked after and have confidence in their financial future.
I’m a working mum who followed a career path through law and into financial services, in full and part-time roles, working with brilliant people throughout, so for me, visibility as a woman in this industry is about being able to encourage others into the sector, supporting them as they develop and giving them a chance to see how rewarding they could find it.
As senior leaders, we need to ensure we are an inclusive organisation that attracts and retains the best talent, that offers flexibility in part-time and full-time roles, that encourages and supports progression and which allows people to excel in their role and be proud of the role they do.
Financial services and financial planning in particular are still often perceived as male-dominated sectors, which may put women off when looking at their career options. Managing finances effectively in today’s complex world is challenging and as more women seek financial advice, we need talent and diversity within financial services that reflects our society.”
“After finishing university and spending a year in the charity sector, I started out as a paraplanner in one of Fairstone’s regional offices. After a year or so, I realised that a financial advisory role wasn’t for me, so when a vacancy came up within Fairstone’s investment management team in 2016, I applied for and got that job and I’ve been here since.
My role has grown as the company has grown – I studied for and achieved various qualifications in investment management and I’m now a CFA Charterholder and a Portfolio Manager within the Fairstone Investment Management team.
I’m the lead manager for our Pure Passive and Responsible model portfolio ranges, as well as our Irish fund range and our UK Fixed Income strategy. My role spans everything from strategy development and research to analysis and asset allocation.
Fairstone Investment Management now oversees more than £4.5bn in client assets, which I think really speaks to the strength of our investment proposition, the trust our clients place in us, and the commitment of our advisers and support teams across the UK and Ireland.
That continued growth is also reflected in the recognition the team has received, with both Fairstone Investment Director Oliver Stone and I being named in Citywire’s Top 100 Fund Selectors last year.
At the start of a career in investment management, one of the biggest challenges – particularly as a young woman – can be getting people to place their trust in you. But I think that’s something young men probably experience too.
You’re being asked to take responsibility for people’s life savings, which is a huge responsibility. That’s why building your knowledge base early is so important, both to earn that trust and to feel confident in your own decisions.
I’ve been supported really well at Fairstone throughout my career in terms of training and qualifications and that’s stood me in good stead. Once you build up that base, you get more confident in what you do and in turn that confidence and that knowledge breeds trust from both clients and colleagues.
Building up that trust is vital in investment management – if you don’t trust the knowledge and capability of the person you’re dealing with then you are not going to trust them with your money.
It’s definitely a career which I would recommend to other women. One of the things I like about my role is that, in many ways, it’s what you make of it. You never stop learning – whether that’s about politics, economics, geography or world history.
There’s always something new that’s relevant, so if you’re curious about the world and how markets interact with real world events, it’s a great career to be in.”
“I am currently the youngest manager at Fairstone in my role as Paraplanning Manager for the central team. Having wanted a role that combined finance with people, I found financial planning to be the perfect fit.
I thrive in environments that value strong interpersonal skills and my work across our national adviser group has strengthened my ability to challenge advice constructively and support new employees and firms through integration into our business model – ensuring they feel heard and supported.
I joined Fairstone straight from university as a graduate trainee paraplanner within a female-led team. Working in a male-dominated industry brings its challenges, and at times it can feel like you start on the back foot. However, as a young female professional, I feel a responsibility to push boundaries, demonstrate what is possible, and be proactive in shaping my contribution across Fairstone.
I am fortunate to have received strong support from both Fairstone and my line management, who have encouraged my professional development through qualifications, constructive challenge, and involvement in strategic working groups.
These opportunities have given me the confidence and platform to share my experience, influence senior leaders, and continue contributing meaningfully to the wider organisation.”
“I am Managing Director of Collaboration and Alignment, having recently transitioned into Fairstone’s M&A team to help support new partner firms as we accelerate our growth strategy throughout 2026. My aim is to ensure every partner firm feels connected to Fairstone’s values from day one as growth should feel connected, not complicated.
Before this, I led the advice process within Financial Planning, and that experience means I bring an in-depth understanding of Fairstone’s process, culture, and our operational heartbeat. All this knowledge feeds directly into supporting this next exciting phase.
I spent 18 years growing alongside Fairstone, joining when we were a start-up and watching us evolve into the large, national independent firm we are today. I feel genuinely honoured to have played a part in that transformation, alongside so many incredible colleagues.
I was Fairstone’s first ever employee to take maternity leave and my daughter is currently completing her work experience with us whilst finishing her Business and Finance Studies. She has quite literally grown up alongside Fairstone and watching her take her first steps in the business I love is a wonderful full-circle moment.
My biggest piece of advice to women considering a career in finance would be to not underestimate the power of being in the room.
Finance is a brilliant career for women more than people often give it credit for. The flexibility that exists today means you genuinely can build a career that works around your life, not against it.
Seek out a seat at the table. The conversations, decisions and relationships that shape your career happen there.
Look around for the senior women already doing it; they exist, and they are cheering for you.
Finally, finance is not just about numbers; it is about relationships, strategy, empathy and leadership. Women bring all that in abundance. There is absolutely space to thrive here, and the industry is stronger because of it.
Progress does not happen by chance, it happens by design. Senior leaders have both the privilege and the responsibility to be intentional about creating the conditions where women can truly thrive.
I believe it looks like this in practice: create visible pathways that make career progression transparent and tangible. Show what great looks like and how to get there because you cannot aspire to what you cannot see. Visibility of opportunity changes everything.
Sponsor, don’t just mentor. Women need leaders who will actively champion them in the rooms they are not yet in and use their influence to open doors that might otherwise stay closed. Sponsors advocate.
Invite women into new opportunities as confidence grows through exposure. Pull women into high-impact projects. Don’t wait until they feel ready as we should create the environment that gets them there.
Build inclusive cultures, not just inclusive policies. Policies matter, but culture is lived in everyday moments, whose voice is heard, who gets credit, who is encouraged to lead. The small things add up to everything.
When senior leaders are truly intentional about inclusion, pathways don’t just open, they widen and that is better for everyone.”
“As Chief People Officer, I oversee the full employee lifecycle — from attracting and recruiting talent through to development, engagement, and supporting people to grow and succeed within the organisation.
I’ve worked in HR for about 25 years, starting in generalist roles that gave me exposure to many areas of people and culture. Over time, I moved into more senior leadership positions where I’ve been able to partner closely with executives on organisational strategy, culture, and transformation.
What’s really driven my career is a passion for creating environments where people can thrive and contribute at their best. In my current role, I focus on aligning our people strategy with the business, building strong leadership, and ensuring we’re creating meaningful opportunities for employees across the organisation.
If you’re considering a career in finance, my biggest advice would be to go for it — even if you don’t feel like you meet every requirement or have everything figured out yet. Finance is a broad field with so many opportunities, and there’s space for different skills and perspectives.
I’d also encourage women to build a strong network early on. Finding mentors, asking questions, and learning from people who’ve been in the industry can really help you grow and navigate your career. Confidence is something that develops over time, so don’t be afraid to speak up, share your ideas, and take on challenges that stretch you.
I think senior leaders have a really important role to play in creating opportunities and removing barriers. One of the biggest things they can do is make sure there’s transparency around career progression — so people clearly understand what it takes to move forward.
It’s also about culture. When leaders promote an inclusive environment where different perspectives are encouraged and work–life balance is respected, it makes it easier for women – and really everyone – to see a long-term future in the organisation.”
“As an M&A Partner, I’m responsible for speaking to businesses which may be interested in our partnership and acquisition model – the DBO. I work alongside the M&A team to structure and complete deals – from the first point of engagement, through discussions, to ultimately agreeing terms.
I joined Fairstone on the Graduate Business Analyst pathway, after completing my Masters, initially joining as a Business Analyst, before being appointed M&A Associate, and now M&A Partner.
There are huge opportunities for women across the finance and wealth sector – it’s a massively personable industry and one which has seen some big shifts over the last few years.
We all know that the industry has historically been more male-dominated, however there’s been a big focus on getting more women into the industry and into senior positions, whether that’s into M&A, investment management or financial planning and wealth management.
There is a shift in more women becoming primary or higher earners, as well as a wealth transfer between generations and other factors resulting in women having an increasing share of the wealth across the country. All of this means more women need financial advice, creating a demand for more female advisers in the sector.
Unfortunately, the majority of people still ‘fall into’ this industry and don’t set out with the intention of creating a career in financial services – the more young women who can see how rewarding and lucrative the sector can be the better.
My experience within the M&A team has been nothing but supportive. I’ve always been afforded every opportunity and never felt any different to my male colleagues.
There are some great female leaders and exceptional female planners across the business to look up to as well. It’s thanks to all of those people I’ve been able to progress in my role as quickly as I have.”
“I wouldn’t say I planned to work in finance and in fact I studied fashion. So, when I applied to work at Fairstone I had no experience in the industry.
I started in case management. I really enjoyed my role and the people I worked with, and I feel like my enthusiasm and ‘can-do’ attitude at work helped me to progress to where I am now.
I am constantly eager to look for ways to progress and in doing so I have now passed mortgage exams and now have the qualifications to be a mortgage adviser.
When I started my exams and was given my first study guide, I initially thought ‘I have no idea what this means’ and thought it was going to be impossible. I think self-belief helped me to get to where I am and when I look back to where I started, I am so proud of how far I have come.
I am fortunate to sit amongst various teams at Fairstone head office and the culture is genuinely and positively diverse. I work with some amazing women and am inspired by lots of women colleagues who I have met here at Fairstone by their talent, unique perspectives and trailblazing qualities.
Not only that, I feel encouraged as a woman at Fairstone. My manager helps me to aim higher, stretch my personal professional development to set goals in areas I want to grow, and I feel 100% supported in that journey to achieving them.
When I started my career, I was invited to an external Women’s Recognition Awards event in London and was absolutely encouraged to attend to represent Fairstone.
It was exciting and empowering to go to the event and see so many accomplished and influential women in one room who were pioneers within the industry.
I met so many confident, motivated and inspiring females that day. It was a breath of fresh air to see that the stereotypical man’s world in finance has changed and is being reshaped by the growing community of women in the industry.”
