Here’s how we’re working to build a more diverse and inclusive industry, that better reflects the society that we live in.
As one of the founding signatories of the Women in Finance Charter, we’re committed to working collaboratively with firms across the financial services industry, to build a more balanced and fair sector.
SBG are proud to have met our target of 50% of women in senior management roles (within a 10% tolerance). Our ongoing commitment is maintain this.
*Target reached by September 2023
We’ve monitored and reported on our gender pay gap since 2017, as we continue on our journey towards reducing the gender pay gap to ensure gender pay equality.
Sarah has been a practising lawyer for over 14 years and joined Sesame Bankhall Group as General Counsel in May 2019. In 2021, Sarah took on additional regulatory policy, risk, and governance responsibilities, when she was promoted to the Executive Team as General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer.
Steph has been instrumental in making fundamental changes and enhancements to SBG’s specialist lending proposition, whilst ensuring that our advisers’ customers are always at the heart of every decision. She’s also a passionate advocate for fertility and menopause awareness in financial services.
Emma has been recognised with several industry awards in her capacity as SBG’s Head of Protection Development and in her role as Chair of the Women in Protection Network. Recently, she’s been awarded Insurance Person of the Year and Inspirational Leader of the Year, as well as Spokesperson of the Year at the 2023 Women’s Recognition Awards.
An award-winning marketer with nearly 20 years’ experience in financial services, Laura is passionately committed to supporting adviser knowledge and education, to ensure the best possible customer outcomes. She was awarded Marketer of the Year at the 2021 Mortgage Industry Marketing Awards, and led her team to secure Campaign of the Year 2022.
Since joining SBG in 2021, Subhani has championed adviser development and the value of protection in her role as Telephone Account Manager for Sesame, and was recently named a finalist in the Rising Star category at the COVER Excellence Awards. Plus, as a passionate diversity and inclusion advocate and Inclusion Council member, she has been integral to the ongoing improvements here at SBG.
Menopause policy
Fertility Policy
Family Leave
Domesic Abuse
Transitioning policy
Flexible working policy
Adoption, Paternity and Surrogacy Leave
Baby loss leave
*Many of these policies apply to everyone who works at SBG, although they have proven particularly useful or helpful for the women in our workforce.
Karen is a champion for women in finance and is passionate about creating an environment where women can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the financial industry's success. In her role as Partner at Newhomes, Karen empowers women through mentorship programmes, networking events, and educational initiatives. This has led to promotions, increased job satisfaction, loyalty, and higher retention of female employees. She’s also set targets to have 50% females in the top 20 earning employees and 50% of management to be female employees by 2026 and has already made significant progress towards this goal.
Mandy has spent her whole working life in financial services – over 35 years! Together, she and her husband have run Nepcote Financial since 2015. Mandy is no stranger to being the only woman in the room within the industry and has learnt to use this to her advantage and a way to stand out in the crowd. When setting up Nepcote Financial, she made a conscious decision to have a female based workforce, which has worked well and contributed to the firm’s reputation as a friendly, approachable team. Of course, Mandy’s most important job is raising her two children, and her 18-year-old daughter is looking at a career as a commercial pilot, having been told all her life that she can do anything she sets her mind to!
Hannie has worked since she was 17 and by the age of just 21 was leading a team of 15 people. Her decision to set up her own firm in 2021 has seen her go from strength to strength, and now Hannie leads an all-female team of five. The firm’s high street office is one of Hannie’s biggest achievements, along with having won multiple awards including ‘Best Broker in England 2022’ at the England Business Awards and ‘Best Mortgage Industry Newcomer’ for 2023 in the What Mortgage Awards.
As well as being an award-winning, self-employed mortgage adviser, Michelle is also a Prince’s Trust Ambassador for women supporting women initiative. She also runs a women in business networking group. Michelle qualified as a mortgage broker in 2005 and after launching her first business, this led to her becoming the CEO and business owner of seven successful companies to provide an all-inclusive service for everything property and finance related. As a keen keynote speaker, Michelle has helped and motivated hundreds of women start and grow their own businesses. This year, Michelle was successful in winning the GB Entrepreneur of the year for Family Business in the South East. The secret to Michelle’s success – love what you do.
Committed to making Protection inclusive and accessible, so more people can get financially fit.
The Women in Protection Network was set up to raise awareness of the need for more female consumers to buy protection insurance, and to encourage more women to work in our industry.
Visit the Women in Protection Website