Selby Jennings hosts 100 Women in Finance panel at its London office

On Tuesday 24 June, Selby Jennings welcomed members of the financial services community to its London office for the latest 100 Women in Finance event. Bringing together professionals from across the industry, the evening offered honest conversations, practical career advice, and the chance to build new connections.

Hosted by Kirsty Tutton, Associate Director at Selby Jennings, the panel featured four accomplished leaders from across financial services:

•    Lauren Frodsham, Standard Chartered
•    Hannah Langdon, Alvine Capital
•    Alexandra Gathukia, Morgan Stanley
•    Grace Clarke, BlackRock

Guiding the discussion, Kirsty explored the experiences, career journeys, and lessons learned by each panellist, creating an engaging conversation that resonated with professionals at every stage of their careers.

Throughout the discussion, the panel shared the lessons that have shaped their careers, with one message standing out above all: finding work that aligns with your values matters just as much as finding the right role. 

Loving what you do every day and working for an organisation whose values reflect your own creates the foundation for long-term success.
The conversation also challenged the idea of "fake it until you make it."

Instead, the panel encouraged attendees to build genuine confidence through preparation, building credibility through knowledge and experience, and having the courage to say yes to opportunities, even when they feel outside their comfort zone. As the speakers shared, sometimes the best approach is simply to "do it scared."

Networking was another key theme throughout the evening. Rather than approaching every conversation with the goal of finding your next client, the panel encouraged attendees to focus on building genuine relationships. One speaker shared how a simple connection had unexpectedly led to joining a local tennis club, a reminder that professional networks often grow through personal interactions as much as business ones.

Another panellist spoke about something as simple as remembering a colleague's or client's coffee order. Small gestures like these demonstrate genuine interest and help build trust over time. The discussion reinforced that meaningful relationships are built through curiosity, consistency, and taking the time to get to know people beyond their job title.

The message was clear: every person you meet has the potential to become a future colleague, mentor, client, or simply someone who opens a door later in your career. Investing in soft skills, asking thoughtful questions, and showing an authentic interest in others can be just as valuable as developing technical expertise.

Following the panel, guests continued the conversation over drinks and canapes, giving attendees the opportunity to put those insights into practice and strengthen connections across the industry.

Selby Jennings is so proud to support initiatives such as 100 Women in Finance, creating opportunities for professionals to share experiences, learn from one another, and strengthen the financial services community.

A huge thank you to our moderator, Kirsty Tutton, for leading such an engaging discussion, and to the panellists, Lauren Frodsham, Hannah Langdon, Alexandra Gathukia, and Grace Clarke, for sharing their experiences so openly.

We'd also like to extend a special thank you to Sabrina Chiang, Head of 100 Women in Finance, for organising another fantastic event and for her continued commitment to creating opportunities for learning and career development across the industry.

We look forward to welcoming the 100 Women in Finance community back to the Selby Jennings London office again soon.