Making Space
ICAS is launching a new member-led women’s network soon, with Amy Taggart CA as one of its founders. She shares her experience setting up a London-based network for women in banking and finance, and reflects on the value of creating places for women to discuss the challenges they face in their professional lives
Making space
ICAS will soon be launching a new women’s network, with Amy Taggart CA as one of its founding members. Here she shares her experience setting up a London-based network for women in banking and finance, and reflects on the value of creating places for women to discuss the challenges they face in their professional lives
In consulting, we have the rare opportunity of partnering with a wide range of clients across the banking industry. Since returning from my second maternity leave in 2023 and reconnecting with former clients, I’ve noticed a familiar thread running through many of our conversations. Alongside the usual industry questions – “Are others struggling with this challenge?”, “How have they approached it?” – were more personal, reflective ones: “How do you manage the juggle?”, “Do you feel supported?”, “Has your maternity leave impacted your career progression?”
These questions struck a chord. It wasn’t just curiosity – they reflected a shared experience, one often left unspoken among women in finance. It wasn’t until a rare child-free long weekend away that I truly took the time to reflect. I came to appreciate how privileged I am to have developed genuine, trusting relationships – whether through my ICAS professional journey or during consulting engagements – where clients feel comfortable sharing openly. And more importantly, I saw the opportunity to bring these women together and create something meaningful – a space for connection, support and candid discussion.
That’s where the idea for the Female Leaders Network in Banking & Finance was born. My colleague Nicola Bergh and I were determined to approach this differently. We didn’t want to create another transactional or performative networking event. Instead, we wanted something that felt authentic – aligned with our values and our firm Baringa’s commitment to putting people first, fostering inclusion and tackling tough topics head-on.
“Despite growing representation, many women continue to face systemic challenges that can make the path to senior leadership feel isolating or unclear. That’s why spaces like this matter”
We brought together colleagues from across our finance, risk and compliance, and banking and markets teams to help shape the initial invitation list. We carefully considered every aspect – who we invited, the topics we raised and the tone we wanted to set. It had to feel personal, deliberate and, above all, genuine.
In May, we hosted our first session – and it was a resounding success. Nicola and I welcomed 15 senior leaders from across the banking industry into a space designed not just for networking, but for honest conversation and purposeful connection. What unfolded was energising. We discussed the real issues affecting female leaders today – navigating career progression post-parental leave, managing high-pressure roles while raising families, and creating space for authentic leadership in environments that don’t always make that easy.
Recent years have undoubtedly brought meaningful progress for women in leadership – but there’s still much more to be done. Despite growing representation, many women continue to face systemic challenges that can make the path to senior leadership feel isolating or unclear. That’s why spaces like this matter.
The feedback from our event was incredibly positive. Many of the women said it was the first time they’d felt they could speak openly about personal and professional challenges in a room full of peers who truly understood. It validated what we suspected all along: there is a real hunger for community among women in finance and banking – a space not just to network, but to belong.
Our next sessions are already in the works, each shaped by the themes and topics that most resonated during our first event. We’re building a vibrant, diverse, purpose-driven community, one conversation at a time. As we look ahead, our goal is to continue building a network that reflects the realities, ambitions and shared experiences of women in banking and finance.
This isn’t about ticking a diversity box or creating another event in a crowded calendar. It’s about championing real inclusion and making a space where women can lift each other up – without pretence or pressure. If the first session taught us anything, it’s that when we come together with intention, incredible things can happen. We’re just getting started.
ICAS is working with an advisory group of CAs to shape future events and opportunities for members through the CA Women’s Network. If you’d like to stay in the loop or take part register your interest here
In consulting, we have the rare opportunity of partnering with a wide range of clients across the banking industry. Since returning from my second maternity leave in 2023 and reconnecting with former clients, I’ve noticed a familiar thread running through many of our conversations. Alongside the usual industry questions – “Are others struggling with this challenge?”, “How have they approached it?” – were more personal, reflective ones: “How do you manage the juggle?”, “Do you feel supported?”, “Has your maternity leave impacted your career progression?”
These questions struck a chord. It wasn’t just curiosity – they reflected a shared experience, one often left unspoken among women in finance. It wasn’t until a rare child-free long weekend away that I truly took the time to reflect. I came to appreciate how privileged I am to have developed genuine, trusting relationships – whether through my ICAS professional journey or during consulting engagements – where clients feel comfortable sharing openly. And more importantly, I saw the opportunity to bring these women together and create something meaningful – a space for connection, support and candid discussion.
That’s where the idea for the Female Leaders Network in Banking & Finance was born. My colleague Nicola Bergh and I were determined to approach this differently. We didn’t want to create another transactional or performative networking event. Instead, we wanted something that felt authentic – aligned with our values and our firm Baringa’s commitment to putting people first, fostering inclusion and tackling tough topics head-on.
“Despite growing representation, many women continue to face systemic challenges that can make the path to senior leadership feel isolating or unclear. That’s why spaces like this matter”
We brought together colleagues from across our finance, risk and compliance, and banking and markets teams to help shape the initial invitation list. We carefully considered every aspect – who we invited, the topics we raised and the tone we wanted to set. It had to feel personal, deliberate and, above all, genuine.
In May, we hosted our first session – and it was a resounding success. Nicola and I welcomed 15 senior leaders from across the banking industry into a space designed not just for networking, but for honest conversation and purposeful connection. What unfolded was energising. We discussed the real issues affecting female leaders today – navigating career progression post-parental leave, managing high-pressure roles while raising families, and creating space for authentic leadership in environments that don’t always make that easy.
Recent years have undoubtedly brought meaningful progress for women in leadership – but there’s still much more to be done. Despite growing representation, many women continue to face systemic challenges that can make the path to senior leadership feel isolating or unclear. That’s why spaces like this matter.
The feedback from our event was incredibly positive. Many of the women said it was the first time they’d felt they could speak openly about personal and professional challenges in a room full of peers who truly understood. It validated what we suspected all along: there is a real hunger for community among women in finance and banking – a space not just to network, but to belong.
Our next sessions are already in the works, each shaped by the themes and topics that most resonated during our first event. We’re building a vibrant, diverse, purpose-driven community, one conversation at a time. As we look ahead, our goal is to continue building a network that reflects the realities, ambitions and shared experiences of women in banking and finance.
This isn’t about ticking a diversity box or creating another event in a crowded calendar. It’s about championing real inclusion and making a space where women can lift each other up – without pretence or pressure. If the first session taught us anything, it’s that when we come together with intention, incredible things can happen. We’re just getting started.
ICAS is working with an advisory group of CAs to shape future events and opportunities for members through the CA Women’s Network. If you’d like to stay in the loop or take part register your interest here
Built with Shorthand