About
London Women’s Forum
The network of choice for senior female leaders in Financial Services, connecting and supporting our members through inspirational events and thought leadership discussions
About LWF
Sponsored by some of the world’s leading financial and professional services firms, London Women’s Forum is led by senior women for senior women of today and of the future.
We are uniquely placed to provide support, pathways to professional and personal development and networking opportunities that our members need.
London Women’s Forum is an exclusive destination for female Managing Directors, Partners and Directors. It offers a nurturing environment that goes beyond the traditional networking activities of other organisations.
Our Goals
To amplify and contribute to the business case for greater gender balance at senior levels in financial services. Also to nurture talent who are on promotion track.
To leverage the experience, connections and knowledge of our members, building business
connections enabling women to manage and develop their careers.
To be the “go to voice” for business content for members and the wider industry.
Provide foundation support to promoting the Women in Finance Charter goals within our membership group and the financial services more broadly.
Our history
LWF was founded in 2004 (as City Women’s Club) by a group of investment banks as a support network for senior women in financial services. Over the years, the forum has gone from strength to strength, evolving into a professional organisation now representing senior women across banking, asset management, professional services firms, as well as financial software, data and media companies.
Its mission to support and grow senior female talent, combined with a strong value proposition have made it a desirable destination for female Partners and Senior Directors across the City of London.
Our Patron
Eleanor Laing MP
Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons
Mrs Eleanor Laing has been the Member of Parliament for Epping Forest since 1997. She lives near Epping with her son, Matthew, who was born one week after the 2001 General Election.
Eleanor graduated BA LLB from Edinburgh University. She was the first woman to be elected President of Edinburgh University Union. She has practised law in Edinburgh, in the City of London and in industry.
Read more about our patron
Dame Eleanor Fulton Laing, DBE, MP – Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons
Dame Eleanor has been the Member of Parliament for Epping Forest since 1997. She lives near Epping with her son, Matthew, who was born one week after the 2001 General Election.
Eleanor graduated BA LLB from Edinburgh University. She was the first woman to be elected President of Edinburgh University Union. She has practised law in Edinburgh, in the City of London and in industry.
Having been the Conservative candidate in the safe Labour seat of Paisley North in the 1987 General Election, she became Special Adviser to the Rt Hon John MacGregor MP in 1989 when he was Secretary of State for Education and remained his Special Adviser when he was Leader of the House of Commons (1990-92) and Secretary of State for Transport (1992-94).
Her particular political interests are education, transport, the economy and the constitution.
In February 1999, she was promoted to the post of Opposition Whip and in July 2000 she became a Frontbench Spokesman for Constitutional Affairs.
After the 2001 General Election, she was appointed as Frontbench Spokesman for Education and Skills and in 2003 was made Shadow Minister for Children. In March 2004, she became Shadow Minister for Women. After successfully increasing her majority at the 2005 General Election, she was promoted to be Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and also remained Shadow Minister for Women and Equality. From 2007 – 2010 she was Shadow Minister for Justice. In 2013 she was elected Deputy Speaker.
The constituency of Epping Forest comprises Loughton, Epping, Waltham Abbey, Chigwell, Buckhurst Hill, Theydon Bois, North Weald, the surrounding villages and the ancient Forest itself.
Our Ambassador
Mary Macleod
CEO of BITC
Mary Macleod was appointed as London Women’s Forum Ambassador in 2017, and prior to that she served as LWF Patron for two years.
From consultant and banker to policy advisor, politician, campaigner and head-hunter, Mary has been driven by purpose, potential, innovation and impact with a focus on transforming the world around her to create better outcomes for business, government and community.
Read more about our ambassador
Mary Macleod, CEO of BITC
From consultant and banker to policy advisor, politician, campaigner and head-hunter, Mary has been driven by purpose, potential, innovation and impact with a focus on transforming the world around her to create better outcomes for business, government and community.
Starting her career in technology-led transformation, human performance and organisational change with Accenture, Mary then became ABN AMRO’s COO and chief of staff for investment banking global operations, transitioning to NatWest Group following their acquisition. Mary served as a strategic advisor to HM Queen Elizabeth II, been a Member of Parliament in London, an advisor to Ministers across government, was on the UK leadership team for executive search at Korn Ferry and more recently chaired the global Board Practice at August Leadership.
During her time in Parliament, Mary was the Prime Minister’s Small Business Ambassador for London, chaired an Inquiry to improve Parliament, which created the Women and Equalities Select Committee, was a Commissioner on the Social Integration Commission, a member of the No 10 Policy Board, launched the new Jane Austen £10 note with the Governor of the Bank of England, ran female entrepreneurship workshops in the community, taught IT to street kids in Rwanda, joined the RAF, was a trustee of the Industry Parliament Trust and initiated Charters for Women. She led campaigns worldwide to stop violence against women and girls, female foeticide, forced child marriage and for better education and maternal health.
As a strong advocate of diversity and inclusion, Mary is Chair of the UK Government’s Women’s Business Council to advise on policies for women in the workplace and represents the UK on the G20 Empower Alliance to improve women’s economic empowerment. She supports neurodiversity as an advisory board member of auticon UK. She works to build more social mobility as a trustee of Career Ready, trying to find opportunities for everyone to achieve their potential.