‘Empathy is a real superpower, especially for women’

In our latest Women in Finance Interview, Tony Sanchez speaks to Leah Brunskill at Market Financial Solutions.

Leah Brunskill is the Deputy Chief of Marketing at Market Financial Solutions (MFS), bringing a wealth of experience from both the specialist finance sector and beyond.

She began her career in finance at Sancus Finance, stepping into the industry almost by accident but quickly developing a passion for the fast-paced, problem-solving nature of specialist lending.

With a distinction in her MSc in International Marketing, earned alongside a demanding career, Leah has combined strategic insight with creative flair to deliver award-winning campaigns, including being named Marketer of the Year at the MIMAs.

What brought you into financial services?

As with most people, I fell into it by accident. When I moved from my hometown in Devon, I was commuting back there for 3 days a week, staying in hotels, etc, and that got old really fast. The job was great, but the travelling was not.

So, I embraced the relocation and ended up at Sancus Finance as a marketing manager. That was my first foray into the world of finance, and straight in at specialist finance too. It was a real learning curve, but I loved it. And it made sense to me.

What do you think makes a successful leader? And in particular, women leaders?

Empathy. It’s a real superpower, especially for women, according to research.

Also, knowing your stuff, people need to be able to trust you and believe in you. And if you don’t know, the ability to admit it is also powerful.

What are the biggest barriers you have faced in your career in financial services?

Honestly, I’ve worked for two great companies in finance so there hasn’t been huge barriers. I think my main barrier actually came in my mid-20s when I was working in defence, everyone discounts you not just because you’re a woman, but also because you’re young. It’s a bit of a double whammy. They don’t think you’re going to know what you’re talking about – and won’t let you try.

If you could tell your younger self one thing you know about business now, what would it be? 

Imposter syndrome will be the biggest barrier you will face in every situation. The situation itself is generally pretty simple.

What’s your own personal mantra?

‘You can’t complain about having too much on your plate when your goal was to eat.’

‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.’

‘The time will pass anyway.’

Honestly, I should start a motivational Instagram account.

What do you think is key for finding a successful work-life balance?

Having different goals for both. I like to set goals in both aspects of my life, and this helps to make sure I’m focusing on different things at least twice a day!

What’s one key leadership lesson you’ve learned along the way?

Not everyone will care about the same things as you do. You really have to understand people’s motivations and know that they won’t always be the same as yours – and that doesn’t mean either of you are wrong.

What advice do you have for women aiming for leadership positions?

Know what it is you want to do. Find people that have the job you might want, the qualities you would like to have, and look at what they have done to get where they are. Ultimately, it’s about having a plan and executing the plan.

What do you think is holding women back?

Wanting everyone to like them.

Focus on being the best that you can be at your job. Sometimes that includes being ‘harsher’ than you might be used to, or have been told you can be, and not everyone is going to like that.

Do you think there is still a glass ceiling?

Absolutely. For me there is still a glass ceiling that women have to break through.

Being a woman might get you through the door more easily (it shouldn’t, but that’s another topic altogether) but then you often have to be better than a male counterpart, or you won’t have the room.

Our next glass ceiling to break is regarding how women are discussed when they’re not in the room. Inappropriate conversations about women in the industry are still rife.

My caveat to any struggle however, can be controversial: Everyone has hardship, it’s all relative and you have to work your way through it. Don’t be put off by it, be encouraged by it to work harder and be better.

What are your thoughts on the Women in Finance Charter? 

I think it’s a great starting point, but ultimately if a firm signs up then they want to make the change anyway.

It’s those not signing up that it won’t touch. So, more work needs to be done.

How do we encourage more women into financial services? 

More female role models. This has come a long way, and whilst I’m not particularly a fan of women only events (allies should also be there, they’re the ones that can also make meaningful change!) I think it does help that there are more female speaking panels and events which can be searched on Eventbrite for new entrants.

The gender pay gap is only second worst to the construction industry. What can organisations do to address this?

Review the pay, review the staff associated with said pay, make change.

What is your biggest achievement to date?

Probably getting a distinction in my MSc International marketing. I didn’t go to Uni, all my quals have been done alongside at least one, and sometimes two or three, jobs, so getting that one over the line felt pretty good.

Also winning Marketer of the Year at the MIMAs, I was really proud of what was achieved last year, so to have that recognised was great.

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