Inspirational Women – Susan Spiller, Head of Proposition, Royal London Asset Management

How did you get to where you are today?
I have been working in the financial service industry since I graduated from university with a degree in Economics. Initially, I worked at State Street Bank and then returned to business school to get an MBA. Subsequently, I worked at Fidelity and other firms, including roles in sales, marketing, product development, and investment management.

In 2001 I moved to London from San Francisco with an objective to find an interesting role in asset management in the City.  I spent my first months networking and getting to know the industry here.  Then in 2002 I joined Royal London Asset Management (RLAM), then a relatively small asset manager which had the objective to grow its external client base.

More than fifteen years later and I am still here today as Head of Proposition for RLAM. This role includes the development of new product or funds for our customers, the management and governance of our existing products, as well as market insight and strategy. Some people believe they need to move roles to progress, I am still working at RLAM because the role has offered me the opportunity to grow and be involved in series of interesting and challenging projects, including fund launches, re-branding of the company, strategy, business plans, and the growth of the firm to be a respected and known player in our sector.

Whilst the business role is important, the community and volunteering aspect is equally so, I have helped to develop the firm’s community volunteering/charity activity with a focus on East London. I also recently joined the board of Ascension Eagles (AEC), an East London charity which supports young people in Newham using competitive cheerleading as a way to deliver life and leadership skills and help them via mentoring. I first became aware of AEC about four years ago when a group of their cheerleaders presented their routine in front of a group of 200-300 business people. I was so impressed by their athletic achievement and more importantly by their confidence in a corporate event that I jumped at the chance to join their board in 2017.

I am also chair of the local residents’ association for my neighbourhood in West London. This activity involves different challenges of managing the expectations of local residents, encouraging participation by other volunteer committee members and communicating/promoting our successes. It has also given me the opportunity to get to know neighbours, councillors and businesses in the area. I now know enough about planning and building permissions or who in the borough to speak to so I am able to help when friends and neighbours have issues. 

What barriers do women face in particular along the career path you’ve chosen?
The financial services industry can be seen as dominated by men in many senior roles. However, I believe that the asset management industry (as separate from investment banking or similar) is generally supportive of women. My firm, similarly to many other asset management firms, has a strong work-life balance, and I believe that this benefits both women and men. It helps with culture, retention of employees and teamwork.

Barriers to the financial services industry are often seen as daunting for women but I believe you need to believe in your ability and you have as much chance as anyone to do this. One of things I believe in is empowering young people to help achieve their goals and we did a session last year on international women’s day with the objective of showing young women what our office environment was like and give them the opportunity to talk to me and my other colleagues at RLAM. I believe if we do more things across our industry and more things are happening, it will help to break down these in my opinion imaginary barriers.

I believe that it is also important to recognise that financial services includes a wide range of jobs – from fund management to marketing to public relations to finance to operations. While a finance or maths degree or qualification is key in certain roles, many do not require this background. This diversity of roles makes this industry an interesting and challenging environment which takes in many backgrounds. As with any role, deliverables are important to your reputation and success.

How/have you been able to challenge these barriers?
While there will always be challenges in a role, I have found that it is always important to take a positive attitude or viewpoint to these. Using your own initiative and taking advantage of teamwork can all link to provide you with a good navigational path through any barriers or challenges.

Early in my own career, I had a mentor from the asset management industry, and he helped by making suggestions in regards to career paths and next steps and this advice was invaluable. I was able to benefit from many of these and have used his insights to provide advice to my team members as they have worked to develop their own careers.

Research has shown that many women understate their own abilities and therefore often don’t put themselves forward for promotions or other opportunities as quickly as men. To enhance my career I would/should have been more active in promoting my own achievements – and I would advise this to both my younger self and any others now starting out in this industry. For this reason, I believe that mentoring, challenging and supporting other women in the workplace are important.

 What does Women’s Day mean to you and why is it important?
“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.”

This quote from Maya Angelou, the American poet, symbolises Internal Women’s Day for me. It encourages all of us to celebrate our accomplishments and also to share our experiences and to help inspire others.