26 June

We Can Be talks to Schroder Investment Management

We Can Be empowers young women to make informed decisions about their careers via a series of workshops and an annual event. Aiming to introduce the City as a viable career choice, a huge part of the puzzle are the City businesses who open up their offices to the young women every year.

In this blog series, we chat to a previous corporate supporter about what it's like to be part of We Can Be, and why every City business should think about signing up. This month, we hear from Tamina Thobani at Schroder Investment Management. 

Why does We Can Be matter to you?

I would like to encourage young ladies to look at companies like Schroders when they are considering their career path.  I would like to help to make this industry more attainable to women who may not be familiar with it, and may find it daunting to apply.

I wasn’t aware that companies like Schroders existed until I started my career journey in London at the age of 30 years old. My family were immigrants from Africa, I was born in Leicester and grew up in Peterborough. We were not very well off and the world of asset management, to me, was more or less invisible. 

I wish I had had more knowledge of the industry and the variety of jobs and skill sets needed as I would have started my journey in finance earlier in my life.

How does Schroders play a role with We Can Be?

At Schroders, our people are important and fundamental to delivering our strategy. Our teams benefit from diversity of thought and are richer from embracing an inclusive culture which leads to well-rounded results.

For Schroders, inclusion is not just inward-looking. Our inclusion and diversity strategy focusses across three pillars – our people and culture, our wider industry and business engagement, and our impact on communities - underpinned by our data-driven approach, to support meaningful, sustainable change.

The We Can Be initiative helps us to address the representation challenge that the whole industry is facing. This affects the whole industry, not just us an organisation. We are honoured to be part of the We Can Be initiative with The Lord Mayor’s Appeal and are proud to introduce the students to Schroders and the many talented individuals who are working together to make our strategy a reality.

Tell us about your career journey? 

I am currently Project Manager at Schroder Investment Management but started out with a Business Management degree at East Anglia University before my first role as Delivery Manager at Booker Cash & Carry in Ipswich. In the early 2000s, I was at the Bank of New York where I was seconded to work on a system implementation project for a year. 

I've been at Schroders for 18 years starting as hybrid Business Analyst / Project Manager role and including working for 'Change for Schroders'. The team structure, the projects and the stakeholders have changed over time - from working on small change requests to create new reports, to implementing large system change.  The work has been varied, interesting and challenging over the years.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to build a successful career in male-dominated industries?

The balance of male vs women should not deter you from aspiring to build a career if this is where your interest and skills are. Work hard, know your subject area, add value to the role and have confidence in your abilities. Have the courage to speak up if there is anything you disagree with and find allies who will form your network within the workplace.

If you had a message for young women aspiring to leadership roles, what would it be?

Have confidence in your abilities, be clear about the value you will add to the role. Consider a mentor to guide and support you with your aspirations. Diversity in leadership offers different perspectives, experience and adds value by having different voices at that level.  If you want something, do not be afraid to go for it.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Have more faith in yourself and your abilities. Imposter syndrome is real and thankfully is being talked about a lot more nowadays.  I wish I had taken the leap and pushed myself out of my comfort zone more often, in order to progress my career further and faster. 

Find out more about We Can Be here