Insights
Meet the Stonehage Fleming XV - Birgit Neu
Birgit is a Senior DEI Advisor and the former Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at HSBC in London, where she founded ‘Balance’, HSBC’s global employee network for gender balance. She has extensive experience in the digital, retail, publishing, and finance industries. At HSBC, Birgit also previously held roles as Head of Private Banking Initiative in their commercial bank and COO of Corporate Communications, Marketing and Corporate Development in their investment bank. She is a founding member of the 30% Club’s Strategy Best Practices Working Group.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE?
“Ask for more than you are expecting to get.”
I’ve told myself this most often when considering the scope of a new role. If others get to do a job that sounds like five interesting things in one, why not me? But, asking for more takes practice. If it works the first time, that spurs you on to ask again. You realise that asking for more should be your starting point rather than something you pull out on special occasions. You can build that muscle over time.
WHAT DOES BEING SELECTED FOR THE SFXV MEAN TO YOU?
For me, meeting the other 14 is the most important thing. I want to be included in any kind of community of amazing women. I can’t wait to meet the others! In my experience, women are fantastic at networking, connecting and sharing. We are also good at staying in touch. Having an opportunity to meet a group of people who Stonehage Fleming and the SFXV judges think are worthy of recognition is super cool to be a part of.