In recognition of International Women’s Day, Barclays invited senior leaders to share their perspectives.
Suprita Vohra, Managing Director, Head of Risk Solutions Group, Southeast Asia and Australia
As a working mother and people leader, how do you juggle intensive work demands in a highly regulated and fast-paced environment while managing your family responsibilities?
Suprita: Our boss, Sushir Lohia, taught us that banking is a ‘team sport’. Especially during fast-paced days with crunched deadlines, the team comes together, holding hands and carrying each other to the finish line. This positive energy is what makes me excited for work every morning, and it shows in the client outcomes we deliver. As a working mother, I would not be able to function without the constant support of incredible team members and senior partners.
What is one word of advice that you would like to give to all the working mothers out there?
Suprita: Firstly, acknowledgement. There is increasing awareness of that amongst our leadership ranks and this acknowledgement goes a long way. Next, balance. No one is the perfect parent, spouse, boss and employee all the time. To use a statistical analogy, life as a working mother is a continuous non-linear stochastic optimization. I learnt that staying in the game is already winning half the battle. Finally, do reach out. There is no substitute for cultivating an ecosystem of well-wishers who can provide help and guidance when in need.
Nurfaíqah Mohamed, Assistant Vice President, Business Oversight Compliance, Markets
How did you start your career with Barclays and how has your career journey been so far?
Nurfa’iqah: I started my career in Barclays through the Singapore apprenticeship programme in 2016. It was a two-year programme with two rounds of rotation within Compliance and after completing it, I was hired as an Analyst in Compliance Assurance while studying for my bachelor’s degree. Subsequently, I moved to Surveillance and most recently to Markets Compliance. My time in Barclays has been an exciting journey – I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people and form lasting friendships. I am also thankful for the support of my managers and the Compliance management team, who encourage development through internal mobility and their commitment to empower junior members of the team.
What would you like to share with all the young working ladies out there?
Nurfa’iqah: Do not be afraid to challenge yourself and explore new opportunities outside of your comfort zone. Always stay curious and learn the importance of adapting to changes. Having a supportive mentor or manager who believes in your potential goes a long way.
Andrew Ashman, Barclays Head of Loan Syndicate, Asia Pacific and Chair, BritCham Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Gender equality is a critical issue facing our business today. In the time I have been working in investment banking, I have seen first-hand how diverse teams deliver better commercial outcomes with a more balanced perspective. I firmly believe improving gender equality in not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. I am delighted to be an ally supporting women achieve career success and helping to drive that change. Congratulations to women at all levels of our organisation who have been at the forefront of driving change… You are an inspiration to all of us! Happy International Women’s Day!”
Sharon Teodoro Director, Network Connectivity Service Operations, APAC
How would you describe your career journey in Barclays so far? How do you feel being a woman in technology?
Sharon: Throughout my career in Barclays, I have developed various technology operation teams for the bank, such as the Global Network Operations Center and the Production Operations and Command Center a year later, running a team of 100+ colleagues responsible for monitoring technology platforms. In my new role as a Director in the GTIS organisation, I now wear multiple hats and face both challenges and opportunities to transform our service from being reactive to a proactive operations management. I am also excited to broaden my professional network by connecting and building relationships with other women in technology both in Barclays and externally. Technology is a male dominated industry and being a woman working in a male dominated environment is both challenging and rewarding. I hope to be recognized as a leader and a role model for younger women aspiring for leadership roles in technology.
What is one word of advice that you would like to give to all the aspiring women leaders out there?
Sharon: Take pride of what you do but remain grounded. Be proud of your team’s achievements. You can’t do it alone; you need a support system that you can lean on. Their achievements are yours and they are vital to your growth and success.
Linda Lim (centre) Director, Head of Compliance Services, APAC
We understand that there is a regional Compliance Sponsorship programme in Barclays, can you share more with us? Why is there a need for it and what does the programme entail?
Linda: Women are often over-mentored and under-sponsored; mentoring provides advice, but sponsorship creates opportunities for success. The main objective of the programme is to deliver a platform to create opportunities for talented females within the Compliance department to further their career ambitions. We have actively sponsored five female colleagues in Compliance, pairing them with members of the APAC Compliance Management team as their sponsors. The sponsors have used their strong influence to promote and advocate for these colleagues, by providing them with opportunities to be involved in high profile and visible projects. This holistic programme also consists of networking events, thought leadership conversations, active career development as well as HR support on career development tools and specially curated leadership training programmes.
What do you have to say to all the women in the workforce?
Linda: Nothing is too big to achieve or too difficult to overcome – be confident. When the opportunities come, grab them!
Alexander Chan, Barclays Corporate & Investment Bank Head of Strategy and Co-Chair for Barclays APAC Win - The Gender Employee Resource Group
On Barclays Singapore’s 50th anniversary, I wish that our children live in a world where we’ve developed the muscle to deliver equality and equity across various dimensions of diversity. I hope it becomes a societal norm, rather than a personal choice. At Barclays Win, we contribute towards this through our mentorship program for females (rebooted in Japan, and scaled regionally) and optimizing our wellbeing policies to be more inclusive and relevant. We will continue to contribute towards creating a better future. Supporting women in the workplace isn’t just a moral imperative, but a strategic advantage. From my experience, championing gender diversity and inclusion helps create a more inclusive workplace culture and men also gain from enhanced creativity, collaboration and performance that results from a diverse workforce. Towards this, as Barclays Win, we have been driving initiatives like mentorship program for females and optimizing our wellbeing policies to be more relevant and inclusive. We will continue to contribute towards creating a better future.
