For decades, financial services had a reputation as one of the UK’s most male-dominated industries. That picture is finally starting to change. Across banking, insurance, investment and fintech, more women are moving into senior roles, influencing strategy and redefining what leadership in finance actually looks like. The old stereotypes are fading, replaced by a more diverse and modern view of who leads the sector.
Gender balance is no longer treated as a box-ticking exercise. It plays a real role in business performance, governance and long-term growth, and it matters to jobseekers deciding where to build their careers. The 2025 FTSE Women Leaders Review shows how far things have moved, with women now holding 43.4% of FTSE 350 board roles and 35.3% of senior leadership positions. While there’s still work to do, the direction of travel is clear.
As a leading financial training provider, Simply Academy works closely with people entering or progressing within the industry, supporting those who want to build confidence, qualifications and long-term careers in a sector that’s actively evolving.
This article highlights some of the women shaping UK finance today, while also exploring less traditional routes to influence. From boardrooms to entrepreneurship and media, financial leadership now shows up in many different forms.
Women leading UK finance today
Across the country, women are taking on senior roles in banking, insurance and investment management, helping to steer major institutions and influence how the industry operates. Their leadership is also driving wider cultural change, opening doors for future generations.
Amanda Blanc, Group CEO of Aviva
One of the most influential figures in UK insurance, Dame Amanda Blanc has consistently pushed for meaningful progress on diversity and inclusion. Under her leadership, Aviva has set clear gender balance targets at senior levels and introduced initiatives designed to support career progression across the business.
Debbie Crosbie, CEO of Nationwide Building Society
Having worked her way up through the banking sector, Debbie Crosbie now leads the UK’s largest member-owned financial institution. Her focus on customer trust, digital transformation and inclusive leadership has helped position Nationwide as a modern employer. She has also been a strong advocate for flexible working and development opportunities for women.
Anne Richards, Vice Chair at Fidelity International
From 2018 to 2023, Dame Anne Richards served as CEO of Fidelity International, guiding the business through a period of strategic change. Known for her emphasis on long-term thinking and ethical leadership, she has been a prominent voice on inclusion and responsible decision-making within financial services.
Anne Boden, Founder of Starling Bank
As the first woman to found a British bank, Anne Boden played a defining role in reshaping UK digital banking. Under her leadership, Starling grew to more than four million customers and became a standout fintech success. Although she stepped down as CEO in 2023, her impact continues to influence the next generation of fintech founders.
Together, these leaders demonstrate how different perspectives strengthen organisations and help create more resilient, forward-thinking businesses.
From reality TV to real financial influence
Not all financial influence follows a traditional path. Some women have built successful careers and businesses through entrepreneurship and unconventional platforms, challenging assumptions about where financial expertise can come from.
Vicki Gunvalson, best known for her role on The Real Housewives of Orange County, built a successful insurance business specialising in life, health and retirement planning long before her television career. Her work often featured on the show, highlighting how financial services expertise can exist outside traditional corporate settings.
Bethenny Frankel, from The Real Housewives of New York City, is one of the franchise’s most notable business success stories. She built the Skinnygirl brand from the ground up and sold it for an estimated $100 million, demonstrating sharp commercial and financial acumen.
Their stories challenge outdated stereotypes and show that financial leadership isn’t confined to boardrooms or traditional career ladders.
Breaking barriers and changing workplace culture
Despite progress, challenges remain. Women working in UK financial services still earn around 22% to 28% less than men on average. In 2024, HSBC reported a mean gender pay gap of nearly 41%, while Barclays reported a gap of around 39%, highlighting how structural issues persist at senior levels.
Long hours, rigid hierarchies, and limited access to mentors have historically made progression more difficult. However, workplace attitudes are shifting. Hybrid working and flexible schedules are helping more women stay in senior roles, while leadership styles are becoming more collaborative and people-focused.
These cultural shifts are beginning to reshape how financial organisations operate and how talent is retained.
The future of financial leadership
Diverse leadership benefits the entire sector. Research consistently shows that organisations with balanced leadership teams are more innovative, manage risk more effectively and achieve stronger financial performance.
Women leaders are also helping drive ethical finance and sustainable business practices, aligning commercial success with wider social responsibility. As a result, finance is slowly evolving into an industry that balances profit with purpose.
Shaping what comes next
The journey toward gender equality in UK financial services isn’t finished, but the momentum is undeniable. Women are leading change from within institutions, building businesses of their own and inspiring others to follow.
See Also: Tips for Staying on Top of Your Finances as a College Student
