8 March 2024
To mark International Women’s Day (Friday 8 March) Translink Corporate Finance UK is championing our commitment to providing equality across our firm, both locally and internationally.
We have spoken to Assistant to the Board of Translink Corporate Finance International Yvonne Scheer, Translink UK M&A Manager Alex Wheelan and Translink UK Corporate Finance Executive Ellie Jacobs about not only their inspirations and their female role models but also about how the corporate finance landscape is becoming more equal across the board and more opportunities are arising for women in the sector.
Yvonne said: “I am proud to have worked at Translink for 18 years now. My role sees me co-ordinate between our corporate finance specialists from all over the world and the board, which helps our teams in ‘getting the deal done’.
“Whilst we have made progress in the past 10 years or so, corporate finance still seems to be a sector that is mostly dominated by men.
“I am proud to be part of a firm where our female colleagues are completely integrated as equals within the company on a worldwide level.
“Translink would really welcome more female dealmakers as we believe everyone, no matter their gender, can make a real impact for our clients.”
Yvonne talks about her mother as her female role model and inspiration.
She said: “My greatest role model is definitely my mother who used to be an assistant to international companies as well.
“She gave me her passion for languages, so I manage five of them now, which come in handy in my job.
“Just like her, I love all the traveling which in my case is to our bi-annual Directors Meetings.
“It is not only a challenge for me to organise these meetings, but also a wonderful experience to be able to meet my colleagues in person.”
Alex Wheelan shares not only her own female inspirations and role models but also about how Translink Corporate Finance UK is a firm who is committed to promoting equality and a diverse workplace.
She said: “As a female M&A Manager in the UK team of Translink Corporate Finance, I’m honoured to share my journey and reflections on this International Women’s Day.
“The corporate finance industry has always been an exciting and dynamic field, but what truly inspired me to pursue this path was the opportunity to make a tangible impact for our clients and the wider business community.”
Alex shares her female role models and how they inspired her.
She said: “Growing up, I was fortunate to have strong female role models including my Mother and Auntie, who instilled in me the importance of ambition, hard work and continuous learning.
“Since becoming a mother myself, my daughter also continues to inspire me every day with her fearless and tenacious approach to life and her relentless perseverance to overcome any obstacles or new challenges put in front of her as she continues to grow and learn.
“Within Translink UK CF, I’m surrounded by incredible female colleagues who continue to motivate and inspire me. From senior leaders in the UK and international teams who have shattered glass
ceilings, to graduates who bring fresh perspectives to the table, each woman contributes to our firm’s success in unique and invaluable ways.”
Alex concludes by acknowledging Translink’s commitment to promoting equality across the firm.
She said: “At Translink UK CF, promoting equality is not just a checkbox exercise, it’s ingrained in our culture and practices.
“Our firm actively encourages diversity and inclusion through various initiatives including flexible work arrangements, which are particularly important to me with a young family.
“We believe that diversity fuels innovation and drives better outcomes for our clients and our team, which is demonstrated in the successes we have on our deals.”
Ellie Jacobs talks about her inspirations and why she feels empowered to work at the firm.
Ellie said: “When thinking about my female role models, I have to say my Mum has been a huge inspiration to me.
“I still remember to this day when she told me about the ‘Glass Ceiling’ theory which is an invisible barrier that prevents women from rising to senior positions, evidenced through women making up less than 30% of C suite roles.
“I didn’t know about the Glass Ceiling theory when she told me about it, which really is a testament to the role model she has been, and the way she had brought me up, with a fire in my belly, endless aspirations, and confidence to go and get what I wanted, without my gender being a barrier – which is a mindset I apply to my career.
“Both of my parents brought me up in a way that taught me to be ambitious which has massively helped me to get to where I am now.”
Ellie talks about how Translink Corporate Finance UK empowers its female team colleagues.
She said: “Although I am in a majority male team, I never feel like I get treated any differently and that really is a testament to not only the team but also to the firm for promoting equality and diversity in its workplace practices.
“I feel valued and always feel confident to share my input and I know my colleagues appreciate my approach to our work, and the difference in opinion that I can bring.”
Discussing females working in the wider M&A space, Ellie talks about how she predicts an even bigger shift in equality in the next ten years.
She said: “I attended a ‘Women in M&A International Women’s Day’ event this week, and it was inspiring to be amongst more than 40 female attendees who all work within M&A in Yorkshire.
“It was very insightful to be around so many women who are making strides in the industry, which historically has been male-dominated, with a key stand out for me being the notion to not only always be yourself but also promote yourself.
“I am excited to be a part of the future of corporate finance and I know as time goes on there will be more and more females within the industry.”
