Meet the judges: Mona Shah
Why is it a positive thing to be launching Stonehage Fleming XV (SFXV)?
Too often, our industry has made the mistake of treating women as one homogenous group. There has been this sense that once you speak to some women, you have ‘cracked’ the women’s market. SFXV is a way for us to demonstrate that we understand that not all female clients are the same. Not all creative clients are the same. Not all black clients are the same. It’s time for us to show that we think differently and that we tailor our services to meet the needs our clients as individuals.
Why is it important for businesses like Stonehage Fleming to amplify the voices of women?
Amplifying the voice of any underrepresented group is worthwhile. Many of the women clients I work with have no investment experience. Yet, they are the people who tend to be more conscientious about reading materials in advance and asking the tougher questions I enjoy answering. By amplifying the voices of women through SFXV, we start to show that we welcome their questions and that our ‘normal’ is a wide diversity of clients.
What is the value of building a community like SFXV?
Personally, I have always found networks professionally enriching. City Hive – an advocacy group for inclusion in investment management – has given me valuable opportunities to gather with a diverse group of people. Allbright is another. I have learned so much by connecting with a community of women who may think like me but are working in different industries and approach things from fresh angles. I think SFXV will create a community that mimics that.
What do you hope to get out of the experience of being a judge?
I am very curious about people and enjoy meeting women who have overcome something and gone on to achieve. It will be great to be part of an initiative that creates a new community of likeminded people and join them on that journey.
What traits will you be looking for in an ideal candidate?
I will be looking for a person who hasn’t been afraid to take a blank sheet of paper and build something totally different. I think that is particularly interesting when you are talking about an all-female pool of candidates because, in my experience, women are more susceptible to imposter syndrome. It makes it all the more impressive when someone has been able to put all precedents aside and forge their own path.
Why should influential people consider their non-financial capital?
I think the main point here is about leadership. It is much easier to take people with you when you have considered all your stakeholders. Having established that loyalty, by considering cultural, intellectual and social capital in any enterprise, crucially, you have a much greater chance of minimising risk.
Mona Shah is Head of Sustainable Investments at Stonehage Fleming. Hear more from Mona.