(From top left to bottom right) Anita Kirkbright, director of operations at West One Loans; Claire Wasbrough, senior underwriter, Masthaven; Liz Syms, director, Connect Finance; Kirsty Buchanan, business development manager, Tiuta; Lucy Barrett, director, Vantage; Dena Thompson, underwriting manager, Omni Capital
LB: That’s true, you don’t see that too much. There are quite a few second in commands but not many directors. I suppose it comes down to the simple fact that there are more men in the industry so there’s a greater likelihood of men working their way up to those positions. But I’ve never felt intimidated by the number of men in senior positions. LS: I think if anything it’s the other way round!
what do you thInk the men thInk about there beIng so few women? KB: If they’ve even noticed. They’re so focused on what they want to do and where they want to take their businesses and the targets they want to reach that I don’t think it’s about gender, it’s about getting the job in hand done and getting it done to the best of your ability. It’s a results focused business we’re in so it’s less a case of who’s around you and more
a case of delivering, whatever your gender. LB: I don’t think women aren’t taken seriously though. People don’t look at female chief execs and think they won’t take them seriously because they’re not men. It’s just the way it is. LS: I remember when I started in the industry as an IFA and in my first job with a big insurer I was the only woman in the whole company in an advisory role. That was about 20 years ago. It’s come a long way since then and there are an awful lot more women in the industry. But historically there were very few. LB: Even when I joined seven years ago I found that, especially because I was really young as well. In fact that was harder because I’d walk into a room and you do feel as though people are looking at you like, really? But I was 18 when I first came into the industry. Now I don’t notice and I do feel people take me seriously. LS: I agree that the age thing is perhaps more of a barrier. I was 19 when I started
and I certainly felt that. KB: From a sales perspective when I speak to introducers I feel this is an industry where once you’ve made your start in it, very few people tend to leave. If people have left it’s because of the economic circumstances or having that move forced upon them. I’m quite a bit newer to the industry than most having only joined Tiuta five months ago so it’s not the male thing I may find intimidating on occasion, it’s the knowledge advisers have built up over years and years. There also don’t tend to be many fresh people in this market, especially in sales. They’ll usually have worked their way up the inside. LB: I think you have to prove yourself in this market, male, female, whatever age you are. If you walk into a meeting and show yourself up because you’re not prepared or don’t know what you’re talking about that’s what will damage people’s respect for you.
mortgage introducer NOVEMBER 2011 41
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