Latest news with #womeninfinance
The Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Australian
‘It's time to back yourself': How this CFO learned to follow her own lead
Aristocrat Leisure Limited Chief Financial Officer Sally Denby says learning to get out of her own way was key to progressing from senior finance roles to a leadership position. In this interview Denby tells us about her journey to CFO, including grappling with self-doubt, the relationships and mentors who shaped her as a leader, and her experiences working as a woman, and a mother, in finance. Q: Can you describe your journey to the CFO role? Denby: It was never my intention to end up as a CFO, I've always just taken the opportunities. A lot of people think every career step you take is going to be a step up. However, when I lay out my career path, I can see I've had a few roles where I went sideways. These moves happened for many reasons, whether it was to spend time in a different country or industry or take a new role within the same organisation. For me, the most significant moment was when I finally decided to back myself. I made the call to put my hat in the ring for CFO. I didn't need anyone else to tell me I could do it, I just needed to believe it myself. Q: What prompted that shift in mindset? Denby: A couple of things. I spent some time reflecting on my fears about the role and realised I was already dealing with them every day. The more challenging conversations I was already having and while I didn't think I wanted to be engaging with the external market, I already was. I also started to challenge what someone else was going to bring to the table that I either didn't have or couldn't learn. I then realised it was self-doubt that was holding me back. It was the first time I really had to back myself. Sally Denby is Aristocrat Leisure Limited Chief Financial Officer Q: Who are some of the people that helped you on your journey? Denby: Most people I worked with brought something to the table. I remember the first leader I worked for when I moved to Australia, he was fiery, passionate and very direct. He would buy his leadership team books on management and personal development, and we would read them and then digest and discuss as a team. I've always cared about people, but he put emotional intelligence at the forefront of all conversations, and that really resonated with me. I didn't appreciate the impact he was having on me until many years later. You also don't have to agree with everyone to have a positive relationship with them. I worked for one leader who I didn't always agree with, but we managed to form a great level of trust and respect. They had a very open personality. It created an environment where we worked really well together, and I learned a lot. That has ultimately ended up with a lasting friendship today. Q: What shaped your values and who you are as a leader? Denby: Being your authentic self is critical. When I've had things going on in my personal life, I've always told my team and acknowledged and owned that I might not be the best version of myself. I want them to understand the context. By being human, you form a stronger connection with others, and they will ultimately go out of their way to help you, and the team succeed. You are only ever as good as your team. I'm not the smartest person in the room, but I like to think that I understand people and process how to connect the dots to support driving great outcomes. Q: What is the biggest challenge you see for women in the pipeline to CFO? Denby: Self-selection. It's important to determine whether being a CFO is something you actually want and are prepared to do. My partner works part-time, so it's possible for me to have a child and be travelling three months a year. If my child was younger, there would have been more contemplation and a different impact to consider for me and my family, and I would have likely made the decision not to do it at that time. It's a big ask, and I think some people decide to opt out of the role because they're not willing to make some of those choices. Q: Are there any other challenges for women? Denby: When you go out for a business dinner and you're the only woman at the table, do you feel totally comfortable? No. Q: Is that something you have to build resilience around? Denby: Yes. Being in a male-dominated space can really put some people off. Some things have changed and made it easier for women, but it's still not as comfortable as it could be. When you're in the minority, it can be difficult to stay true to yourself. Sometimes it's easier to emulate others in order to succeed. However, I think the opposite is true – you must be true to yourself and comfortable in who you are. It brings diversity and difference of opinion which can only help us move forward but it isn't always easy. Q: What advice would you give to women who are grappling with these challenges? Denby: It's time to back yourself, get the self-doubt out of your head. Don't wait to be asked, push yourself forward. There is no perfect time for a career change, having a family or other life choices. Just go with it, do what is going to work for you, and back yourself. - Disclaimer This publication contains general information only and Deloitte is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. Deloitte shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this publication. About Deloitte Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ('DTTL'), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. Please see to learn more. Copyright © 2025 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved. -
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Why women are more skint than ever and five ways to make sure you get what you deserve from your husband
NIAMH Spence draws in a sharp breath as she opens the banking app on her phone. It is two weeks until she gets paid and she only has a few pounds left in her account. 4 This strikes fear in her heart. As a mum to four-year-old Evie, Niamh realises she still has to shop for dinner items, a kid's birthday present and a bottle of wine for the nursery's raffle. Although the freelance PR worker earns a good wage to equal that of her fiancé, lorry driver Stephen, she is always left skint weeks before pay day — while he is not. Does it sound familiar? Women across the UK are finding that their income is burned through much faster than their partners'. There are endless chats on forums such as Mumsnet around the issue . . . 'Skint wife and Rich Husband — please help', 'I'm so much poorer than my partner' and 'Spouses with very different spending habits' to mention a few. A study by credit company Intrum found women spend 64 per cent of their income on essential items, while men get through just 53 per cent. Women were also more likely to go into debt to cover everyday necessities. Niamh, 34, of Salford, Greater Manchester, says: 'Every month my bank account is hammered by our bills, while my partner keeps his healthily balanced. 'We split household bills down the middle, with him transferring his half to me weekly, when he is paid. 'But there are always extra, invisible expenses that come with the territory, especially for mums, which see me fork out more money than he does.' TV personal finance expert Jane Hawkes says it is a widespread problem and one that has been increased by the decline of the joint bank account. She says: 'It is clear women end up spending more on just about everything on a daily basis, from picking up 'a few bits' for dinner to buying presents for countless birthdays. 'And most importantly there is the death of the joint account, which is seeing women using their account for multiple purchases. Those everyday outgoings hit women harder.' Joint accounts are in sharp decline. TSB found in 2024 that only 12 per cent of couples share all their finances in a joint account. Of those with one of these set-ups, four out of five people also had an individual account. While ditching the joint account and having control of your individual finances may seem like a mark of financial freedom, there is a downside when it comes to running a family home — as Niamh, who doesn't have a joint account, found. She says: 'A joint account was never on the cards for us. So many bills were already set up in my name from before Steve and I lived together, it felt like a lot of admin to change that, and he's always just paid half of our monthly budget into my account. 'It always felt less hassle, which might be why we've fallen into this comfortable habit. I was always wary of a joint account for a number of reasons. 'A joint account seems quite outdated. But without one, the parent who does the lion's share of the jobs simply picks up a bigger tab.' In the current financial climate, women in heterosexual households are increasingly finding themselves broke. A study by consumer research company NIQ found that women make between 70 and 80 per cent of household buying decisions. Plus, nearly 60 per cent of female grocery shoppers did most — if not all — the food purchasing for their households, according to market research firm Statista. 'Donations and trips' Niamh says: 'The food shopping falls to me, but it's the other items too. 'I drop off at the nursery and therefore pick up the communications about World Book Day costumes, donations and day trips. Therefore, it's me who coughs up. 'I check Evie's bag nightly, so I deal with all the party invitations and buying the presents. 'None of those things cost a lot of money, but they all add up. 'When you look at it over the course of a month, it's a sizeable chunk of cash. 'Add in dance classes and gymnastics, all of which I take her to and organise, and there's a few hundred pounds extra I pay for each month.' A big problem with the money balance in couples is that admin often comes down to mums. A 2020 poll found 73 per cent of women who live with a partner felt they did more 'invisible labour' than their partner. Niamh says: 'It's always me realising Evie needs a new coat or has outgrown her shoes, so I foot the bill. 'I'm the one who purchases things for our home, I notice we need an air freshener, a candle or that Evie's had her nursery pictures taken so we need more photo frames. 'These just don't come into Steve's periphery. 'Also, the pink tax, where products marketed towards women are priced higher than their male counterparts, even if the products are essentially the same, is a real issue. 'If I buy toiletries for myself, they're always more expensive than Steve's. I don't treat myself to anything special, but everyday things like razors are about £2 more expensive for women for the same product. 'It's not that Steve wouldn't want to pay. 'In fact, on the odd occasion I've mentioned it, he has been mortified that I'm left out of pocket, and has insisted on transferring money over to me to cover costs. 'But the amounts are so small, it doesn't feel worth mentioning.' A TSB survey found that 40 per cent of people who thought their financial situation was unfair had never raised the matter with their partner. 'Serious implications' Niamh says: 'I'm not going to sit around in the evening, as we enjoy our precious hour of alone time, saying, 'I had to put in £5 for a teacher collection today, can you transfer £2.50 to me'. 'But that's how it all adds up, and really, he can only pay for what he knows about. 'Steve has always been really upset on the odd occasion when I have pointed it out. 'I know he's not deliberately trying to make me pay more, it just feels like financial ignorance — and not intentional either. 'I'm the one who feels sick watching the money drain from my account every month. We have spoken about trying to make our finances more even, because we know it could have serious implications for the future. 'We live in a house that I own from before we met, but we've looked at getting a mortgage together in the future. 'When we looked at how much we could borrow, I was rigorously questioned by the mortgage company on how I could afford the huge amount that leaves my account every month. 'Whereas Steve has a near-perfect credit score thanks to his predictable, regular payments to me.' Steve says: 'Niamh has just shown me how much extra she is spending every month. 'It has come as a big surprise. It's really important to me that our bills are split equally. 'I've heard the phrase 'invisible admin' before but didn't realise it was happening to us. 'I'm going to make sure she notes everything down as it really isn't fair. 'I'm shocked.' FIVE WAYS TO GET EVEN PERSONAL finance expert Jane Hawkes explains why women find themselves out of pocket – and advises how to even things up. GET A PAPER CALENDAR: Almost three-quarters of childcare is taken on by women, which means expenses over the school holidays also fall mainly to Mum. A paper calendar is your cost-sharing friend. For each day of the school holidays, make a note on the calendar about what the plan is. Pop a note beside it detailing expected costs. Your other half then needs to put half of this cost into your account by the end of the week. ADOPT THE SQUIRREL METHOD: The little extra spend of 50p for the PTA raffle, £2.50 for school dinner or £2 on parking mount up – and leave you out of pocket. Whenever you make a bigger purchase, squirrel the change away and build up a fund to pay for the little things So if your grocery shop comes to £100.75, put that 25p in a separate part of your wallet – or a separate account – and ask your partner to do the same. At the end of each week, put this money into a real or virtual jar, which becomes the 'family squirrelled away fund' for small spends. USE THE 5-4-3-2-1: A study in the US found men referred to their wives with terms like 'project manager' or said they were 'keeping track of more'. This mental load for women comes as a financial cost. Remembering to pick up a few bits for dinner on the way home, even if it is as little as £4 a day, adds up to £124 a month. Curtail those daily trips to the supermarket with the '5-4-3-2-1' grocery shopping method. This idea suggests choosing five vegetables, four fruits, three proteins, two sauces and one grain at the beginning of the week. You then mix and match these items to create meals, while keeping costs low by using what you have in your store cupboard to bulk it out. SET UP A TREASURE CHEST: The decline of the joint account is a problem for women because they make the majority of purchases by dipping into their own funds. Set up a shared 'treasure chest' – a physical box or virtual fund using an easy banking app such as Revolut – to accumulate money for joint buys. Each partner contributes a set amount weekly or monthly. The accumulated funds are then used for agreed-upon shared expenses. DIVIDE AND CONQUER: Women make more than 70 per cent of the household purchasing decisions, studies by research firm NIQ found, which means there are expenses your partner does not contribute to. This can be remedied simply by using the Notes app on your phone. Every time you spend on anything for the family, regardless of the cost, jot it down.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Women's leadership highlighted in trading and technical analysis
in collaboration with The CMT Association, successfully hosted a closed-door event dubbed 'Trade with Insight: Women Leading the Way in Technical Analysis & Strategy', celebrating the pivotal role of women in financial markets, and exploring the importance of technical analysis in navigating today's volatile economic markets and trading environment. Held in Dubai, the event brought together expert analysts, finance professionals, and trading specialists, who shared their expert insights and engaged in interactive, thought leadership discussions rooted in technical analysis with focus on strategy, discipline, and analytical frameworks. A key highlight of the event was the expert presentations and discussions led by Razan Hilal, CMT and market analyst at and Yara Fanek, CFA, CMT, independent FX trader and technical strategist, who combined tangible market experience with practical technical analysis methodologies adapted to today's shifting economic landscape. Their discussions emphasized the growing relevance of technical analysis in identifying opportunities, managing volatility, and navigating uncertainty — while also spotlighting female leadership and continuous education in the trading space. 'Markets often move ahead of the headlines — what we see in price reflects sentiment, positioning, and expectations long before the news breaks', said Razan Hilal, CMT. She added: 'That's why technical analysis, combined with sound risk management, isn't just helpful — it's essential to making confident, well-timed decisions in today's complex environment.' Attendees benefited from such practical insights, with core topics including trader psychology, risk management practices, and the use of technical tools and indicators. Key themes discussed during the event comprised six topics, including Today's Market Realities, whereby attendees examined pressing questions around macro uncertainty and market sentiment, from currency safety to recession fears. Emotional mistakes like panic-selling, buying hype, and overexposure were also addressed, along with techniques to stay disciplined under pressure, under the Trader Pitfalls theme. Other topics featured Technical Tools in Action (the practical use of RSI, Fibonacci, and DMI to enhance market timing and decision-making), Intermarket Insights (how correlations between oil, gold, VIX, and indices can provide early signals in shifting environments), Risk Management & Mindset (Dow Theory, trend structure, and multi-timeframe analysis), and The CMT Edge (highlighting the value of the CMT designation in building confidence, structure, and long-term analytical success). 'Technical analysis isn't just about charts, it's about understanding behavior, recognizing patterns, and managing risk with discipline. The more you invest in continuous learning, the more confident and agile you become as a trader', added Yara Fanek, CFA, CMT, highlighting the importance of staying open to new information, and consistent in leveraging analytical tools. Aligned with strategy to empower women and part of the 'Women of StoneX' Initiative , the 'Trade with Insight' event not only highlighted the necessity of technical analysis in today's complex markets but also underlined the growing impact of women in driving knowledge, skill, strategy, and progress across all areas of finance and trading.
Zawya
18-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
FOREX.com and CMT Association host private event
Dubai - in collaboration with The CMT Association, successfully hosted a closed-door event dubbed 'Trade with Insight: Women Leading the Way in Technical Analysis & Strategy', celebrating the pivotal role of women in financial markets, and exploring the importance of technical analysis in navigating today's volatile economic markets and trading environment. Held in Dubai, the event brought together expert analysts, finance professionals, and trading specialists, who shared their expert insights and engaged in interactive, thought leadership discussions rooted in technical analysis with focus on strategy, discipline, and analytical frameworks. A key highlight of the event was the expert presentations and discussions led by Razan Hilal, CMT and Market Analyst at and Yara Fanek, CFA, CMT, Independent FX Trader and Technical Strategist, who combined tangible market experience with practical technical analysis methodologies adapted to today's shifting economic landscape. Their discussions emphasized the growing relevance of technical analysis in identifying opportunities, managing volatility, and navigating uncertainty — while also spotlighting female leadership and continuous education in the trading space. 'Markets often move ahead of the headlines — what we see in price reflects sentiment, positioning, and expectations long before the news breaks', said Razan Hilal, CMT. She added: 'That's why technical analysis, combined with sound risk management, isn't just helpful — it's essential to making confident, well-timed decisions in today's complex environment.' Attendees benefited from such practical insights, with core topics including trader psychology, risk management practices, and the use of technical tools and indicators. Key themes discussed during the event comprised six topics, including Today's Market Realities, whereby attendees examined pressing questions around macro uncertainty and market sentiment, from currency safety to recession fears. Emotional mistakes like panic-selling, buying hype, and overexposure were also addressed, along with techniques to stay disciplined under pressure, under the Trader Pitfalls theme. Other topics featured Technical Tools in Action (the practical use of RSI, Fibonacci, and DMI to enhance market timing and decision-making), Intermarket Insights (how correlations between oil, gold, VIX, and indices can provide early signals in shifting environments), Risk Management & Mindset (Dow Theory, trend structure, and multi-timeframe analysis), and The CMT Edge (highlighting the value of the CMT designation in building confidence, structure, and long-term analytical success). 'Technical analysis isn't just about charts, it's about understanding behavior, recognizing patterns, and managing risk with discipline. The more you invest in continuous learning, the more confident and agile you become as a trader', added Yara Fanek, CFA, CMT, highlighting the importance of staying open to new information, and consistent in leveraging analytical tools. Aligned with strategy to empower women and part of the 'Women of StoneX' Initiative , the 'Trade with Insight' event not only highlighted the necessity of technical analysis in today's complex markets but also underlined the growing impact of women in driving knowledge, skill, strategy, and progress across all areas of finance and trading. -Ends- Disclaimer This content was created by and should be construed as general Market Commentary, not targeted at the general public of any particular country, and is not a Research Report as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act. The content is not intended for distribution to residents in any country where such distribution or use would contravene any local law or regulatory requirement. The information and opinions in this report are for general information use only and are not intended as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of Foreign Exchange ('Forex'), Contracts for Difference ('CFD'), or any other products offered by Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices or other information contained herein is intended as general information about the subject matter covered and is provided with the understanding that we do not provide any investment, legal, or tax advice. You should consult with appropriate counsel or other advisors on all investment, legal, or tax matters. All opinions and information contained in this report are subject to change without notice. This report has been prepared without regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any particular recipient. Any references to historical price movements or levels is informational based on our analysis and we do not represent or warranty that any such movements or levels are likely to reoccur in the future. While the information contained herein was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, author does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness, nor does author assume any liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss that may result from the reliance by any person upon any such information or opinions. Forex, CFD's, and other leveraged derivatives products offered by involve significant risk of loss and are not suitable for all investors. Losses can exceed your deposits. Increasing leverage increases risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Spot Gold and Silver contracts are not subject to regulation under the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act. CFD's are not available for US residents. Before deciding to trade, you should carefully consider your financial objectives, level of experience and risk appetite. The brand is operated by multiple legal entities across 8 jurisdictions globally. The products and services available to you depend on your location and the legal entity with which you establish your account. is a trading name of GAIN Global Markets Inc. which is authorized and regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority under the Securities Investment Business Law of the Cayman Islands (as revised) with License number 25033. GAIN Global Markets Inc. has its principal place of business at 30 Independence Blvd, Suite 300 (3rd floor), Warren, NJ 07059, USA., and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of StoneX Group Inc.
The National
13-05-2025
- Business
- The National
How women are breaking the glass ceiling in the investing world
For many years, investing was a boys' club, as women were considered more risk-averse and the financial services industry gender-biased. However, it is gradually becoming a level playing field, as women are relying less on others to manage their money and increasingly taking control of their finances to build long-term wealth and financial independence through investment. UAE-based Danielle Lecomber, from the UK, who is in her mid-30s, says her investment portfolio is a blend of stocks, fixed interest, bonds, property and alternative assets such as derivatives. She attributes her financial savviness to her mother, who was very good with money and taught her the importance of saving and the need to be financially independent from a young age. Ms Lecomber recalls saving to buy her first property in her 20s. 'I knew at that point in time that I would be able to achieve better returns by investing in stocks and shares versus cash, for example, over the longer term,' says Ms Lecomber, who is the founding partner and chartered financial planner at wealth management company St James's Place. 'My stock portfolio is a blend of active and passive funds, rather than individual stocks. I have bought individual stocks before but as a woman I'm very comfortable with high-risk investments. I prefer to stick to multi-asset funds or exchange-traded funds.' Women have never been wealthier, on average, than today. An estimated 32 per cent of the global private wealth was in the hands of women in 2020, a BCG reported found in 2021. There are 344 female billionaires in the world, controlling $1.7 trillion, with their assets growing faster than those of their male counterparts, last year's UBS Global Wealth Report found. Longer life expectancy and meaningful strides in financial inclusion mean female wealth in general is set to continue to grow, UBS said in its more recent Gender-lens investment report. Increased access to financial education through books that speak to women, online courses and an increasing availability of female-focused resources are driving the rise in new investors, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching. Women are motivated by having a purpose for investment, beyond it simply being a sensible thing to do or a wealth builder, explains Ms Glynn. For example, they look at aspects such as whether it is for financial freedom, their children's education, or to build a house. Ms Lecomber agrees, saying women tend to attach a goal to their investment objectives and are more cautious. 'We are driven by the psychology of investing, whereas men tend to automate things and can detach themselves from their income,' she says. Women also tend to hold a higher level of cash in their emergency fund, according to Ms Lecomber, who cites how she always holds a far higher reserve fund than her husband. Vaishali Kuletha, 38, an Indian expat in Dubai, does not shy away from taking risks in investing. Her portfolio includes stocks and index funds in the US, properties in India, the US and Dubai, and businesses in the UAE. She and her husband recently acquired a recruitment company and a 17-year-old day care complex in Dubai. 'Business investments are far more lucrative from a cash-flow perspective than investing in stocks and property, so my goal is to acquire and grow multiple small businesses,' she says. 'But I ask for a company's financial statements for the past 12 months before acquiring it. I also rope in my legal team to check whether the company is legitimate.' She also recommends female investors keep updated on market news before investing in stocks. Busting the myth about women being risk-averse, Ms Glynn clarifies that female investors are instead 'risk-aware' and 'risk-conscious'. They want to fully understand what they are investing in before committing, which is a strength. They often still take the same risks as men but in an informed decision rather than a reactionary one, she says. 'Once confident, women are just as capable of taking calculated risks as men. The difference isn't necessarily risk, it's the mindset behind the investment,' she says. 'Women tend to seek security through investing, while men tend to seek wealth through investing. While they are both seeking to grow their money, the motivation and mindset is often very different, which then impacts our differing approaches and investing behaviour.' However, Alison Soltani, founder of Leap Savvy Savers, believes the tendency for female investors to be risk-averse could stem from a lack of confidence or education in investing. Women tend to manage the household finances, so perhaps they focus on the saving and budgeting side, rather than investing and building wealth, she suggests. Attitude to risk depends on a number of factors, including personal preference, timelines, societal and familial influence, and individual financial circumstances, Ms Soltani explains. Many women favour low-risk investment vehicles such as bonds and property, Ms Soltani says. Ms Glynn says women she works with are mostly interested in ETFs, real estate and, increasingly, Sharia-compliant or value-based investments, as well as digital assets. 'Usually they have a preference for real estate or ETFs, as they are easy to understand and feel safer than other options. These options offer the risk level, transparency and security many women seek when first investing. ETFs are popular as the entry point, costs and risks are lower than most other options,' she says. Women gravitate to investments they can fully understand, are low-maintenance and offer long-term stability over quick wins, she adds. Although much is being done to address barriers in the financial advisory industry, they still exist, Ms Soltani believes. Implicit bias and discrimination could lead to women not being offered the same opportunities, either when investing or in employment. 'Although female role models in the personal finance world are starting to emerge, there aren't as many female voices as there are male,' Ms Soltani adds. "Female role models are crucial so that women have access to information, education and investment opportunities." Ms Lecomber calls investing 'a taboo subject' and urges for more female investors to talk about their experiences and strategies. 'A key barrier to investing is that many women still feel judged or dismissed when asking questions,' Ms Glynn points out. 'Creating safe, shame-free spaces is vital, where the educators and service providers are willing to answer questions and explain all aspects of the investment instead of just focusing on the potential returns.' Many women are alienated by technical jargon and masculine branding. Shifting to values-driven and emotionally intelligent language would create a more welcoming environment, Ms Glynn says. She also calls for greater representation of women in advisory roles and financial education that reflects women's 'lived experiences', such as career breaks, caregiving, unequal pay and longer life expectancy.
