‘You don’t get what you wish for, you get what you work for!’

By Tony Sanchez 21st January 2025

In our latest Women in Finance Interview, Tony Sanchez speaks to Sonia Mann, Head of Sales at Roma Finance.

Sonia has been working in Business and Commercial Finance for the past 27 years and started off working in High Street banks, challenger banks and more recently specialist lenders.

She is a mother of two, and aspires to continue to excel in her field and challenge herself with new roles and tasks.

What brought you into financial services?

I started in finance when I finished my A-levels working at Barclays Corporate banking.

This then led to working in relationship management as well as specialist areas such as Invoice Finance and Asset Finance and then on to Specialist Property Finance which I love and have now been doing for seven years.

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

Successful leaders in general need to have strong communication skills, good teamwork and have the ability to create an inclusive environment.

Women leaders often excel in building relationships, demonstrating adaptability, resilience, and the ability to multitask effectively.

I think that these qualities combined with mentorship and empowerment, contribute to their success in leadership roles.

I believe that embracing diversity, promoting work-life balance, and championing equality are also key factors that can distinguish women leaders in today’s evolving workplaces.

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

Some of the biggest barriers I have faced and have noticed that some of my peers still face, include gender bias, lack of representation at higher levels, and unconscious bias.

Navigating through male dominated environments and breaking stereotypes were definitely some challenges that I have had to address throughout my career.

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

Build a strong network of mentors early on.

They can provide valuable guidance, insights and opportunities that can significantly impact your career path and growth.

What’s your own personal mantra?

You don’t get what you wish for, you get what you work for!

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

Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life.

Establish a routine for dedicated time for work, relaxation, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones.

Delegating tasks when possible and learning to say no when necessary (I’m still working on this one!).

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

The importance of effective communication.

Clear and transparent communication with my team creates trust, good collaboration, and a positive workspace.

Alongside this is active listening, providing feedback and motivating the team towards achieving shared objectives and goals.

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

Remember to advocate yourself and don’t sell yourself short.

Taking on any opportunities that present themselves even if they are challenging, as well as supporting other women in their leadership journey, can help pave the way to success in leadership positions.

What do you think is holding women back?

Some women face the struggle to balance work and family responsibilities.

I also think something that holds women back is self-doubt, even though they would excel in the position they may want to pursue.

Societal expectations and traditional gender roles can sometimes hinder women’s career progression too.

Do you think there is still a glass ceiling?

From my personal experience and the people and businesses I have worked with, there has been progress in gender equality.

Some women in this industry and various other industries, unfortunately still face challenges in reaching top leadership positions and equal representation.

What are your thoughts on the Women in Finance Charter?

I would hope this Charter helps with promoting gender diversity and equality in a historically male-dominated industry and drive positive change in the workplace.

How do we encourage more women into financial services?

I think that providing mentorship programs that are specifically tailored to women as well as highlighting successful female role models would be a great way of breaking stereotypes and demonstrating the possibility of finance as a career for women.

I also believe that supporting women with networking opportunities and skill development will really help in advancing their careers.